Matthijs Kimpe

May 23, 2022
at 4:37 pm
# abstract, art, contemporary, painting

Belgian artist Matthijs Kimpe harnesses modern imaging techniques, blending screens and prints into his artwork. His innovative choice of synthetic and optical materials, combined with diverse textures and paint, creates a dynamic visual experience that shifts based on positioning.

Kimpe’s artistic process revolves around manipulating screen and printer image reproduction. He delves deep into the delicate dance between traditional static visuals and the transient nature of contemporary imagery. His education journey explains this fusion well. Initially, he embarked on graphic design at KASK in Ghent, and later, he transitioned to painting at Sint-Lucas. This layered learning experience allows him to seamlessly weave digital elements into his paintings, endowing them with a tangible, analog essence.

The color theory remains pivotal in Kimpe’s approach. He adeptly employs complementary colors, and color models like RGB and CMYK feature prominently. His graphic design studies enriched his understanding of these models, adding depth to his artistic palette.

Kimpe is deeply intrigued by human interactions with optical illusions, and this drives his experimental nature. He’s constantly probing: What emerges from a specific combination of materials? Which visuals come to the fore, whether intentional or by sheer chance? For Kimpe, the journey is about seeking balance, often venturing from a base of chaos.

‘One evening, a glitch in my TV unveiled unexpected beauty. Adjusting the antenna for clarity, the distorted images on the screen mesmerized me. News transformed into colors and shadows, hinting at hidden narratives. The disturbances drew me in, with figures evolving into enigmatic silhouettes. Their textures, colors, and forms played a captivating dance of interpretation.’ — Matthijs Kimpe

Annegret Kellner

German contemporary artist Annegret Kellner currently makes her home in Amsterdam. She bases her artistic practice on the subtle representation

Ruben Ulises

Ruben Ulises Rodriguez Montoya stands as a contemporary artist who paints a vivid landscape of fantastical creatures, land, culture, and

Sander Wassink

Sander Wassink, a Dutch artist, shines a light on the often-overlooked. He transforms discarded objects and crumbling structures, challenging our

Kip Omolade

Kip Omolade is a Brooklyn-based artist who creates hyper-realistic large-scale oil paintings of chrome masks. Born in Harlem, NY, Kip

Carlos Sáez

The multimedia artist Carlos Sáez lives and works in Valencia, Spain. His work exists in the conjunction of digital and

Johan Rosenmunthe

Delving into the intricate realms of time, potential energy, and archaeology, Danish artist Johan Rosenmunthe carves his distinctive niche in

Manon Pretto

Manon Pretto operates amidst the lively streets of Paris and against the historic backdrop of Clermont Ferrand. Her thought-provoking works

François Ollivier

The photographer François Ollivier, born in southern France, currently lives and works in Montreal. Through not only genuine but sometimes

Gioele Amaro

Gioele Amaro, born in 1986 in the Calabria region of Italy, has a story that’s as captivating as it is