- Biography -
The artistic practice of Rudi J.L. Bogaerts is versatile and intensively explorative, embracing various media such as painting, drawing, assemblages, photography, and film. Bogaerts (°1964, Sint-Truiden, BE) distinguishes himself by his ability to transform everyday observations and found objects into subtle, playful compositions. These elements not only serve as subjects but also form the starting point for broader and deeper explorations of social and philosophical themes.
With a combination of playful lightness and keen insight, Bogaerts approaches reality, inviting viewers to look beyond the obvious. By combining found objects and visual elements in unexpected ways, he creates a dialogue between the banal and the abstract, between what is visible and what remains hidden. His approach results in a layered oeuvre that merges aesthetic experience with intellectual stimulation.
Humour and suggestive imagery are key features of his work, through which he challenges the everyday without fully unravelling it. Objects and images act as subtle catalysts that provoke thought without asserting themselves in the foreground. This adds an extra layer of depth and complexity, encouraging viewers to discover new layers of meaning with each interaction.
Bogaerts' work offers a rich array of conceptual ideas, supported by a high level of skill across diverse techniques. His pieces are visually intriguing and invite a reinterpretation of the everyday, with a keen eye for the unexpected and the unseen. He lives and works in Ghent, Belgium.
Group Exhibitions
2024 TORTILLA FLAT 2.0, M12 – Ronse (B)
2023 SECONDroom Nr.300, Secondroom – Antwerp (B)
2022 Nain Jaune, M12, Ronse (B)
2021 9050 knipoogt naar Van Eyck, Ledeberg-Gentbrugge (B)
2021 Composte 2021, Steenhuize-Wijnhuize (B)
2020 The Summer Exhibition 2020 (Rescheduled autumn 2020), The Royal Academy - London (UK)
2020 Steengoed, Kunstroute 2020, Oosterzele - Balegem (B)
2020 Zomersalon 2020 - Kunsthal, Ghent (B)
2019 MOSTYN Open 21 – Wales (UK)
2018 Krasj 4 – Ninove (B)
2017 Land van Fotografie – Ghent (B)
2017 MOSTYN Open 20 – Wales (UK)
2016 Cosmos of Hope – Pratt Institute, Brooklyn (US)
2016 Prestige IV: No Comment, Ghent (B)
2016 Kunstenparcours WEL-COME – Sorry Not Sorry, Ghent (B)
2016 TWINTIG – Voorkamer, Lier (B)
2014 Fotografie herontdekt – Zebrastraat, Ghent (B)
2013 Johan De Wilde: 'Ik wordt' – Voorkamer, Lier (B)
2012 Leaving for a living @ Parallel Events Manifesta 9, Genk (B)
2011 Group Show – Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, Salzburg (A)
2010 Group Show – Casa Argentaurum, Ghent (B)
2010 Prijs van Asse - Galerie De Ziener, Asse (B)
2009 Labyrint 09 / Writings and Observations – Botkyrka Konsthall, Tumba (S)
2009 Summer show III – Galerie Jan Dhaese, Ghent (B)
2009 53rd Venice Biennial’s official satellite – project 'Détournement', Venice (I)
2009 10+2 ½ jaar Voorkamer – Voorkamer, Lier (B)
2008 Summershow II – Galerie Jan Dhaese, Ghent (B)
2007 Home is where the heart is – Voorkamer, Lier (B)
2007 Summershow – Galerie Jan Dhaese, Ghent (B)
2006 LINEART – Galerie Jan Dhaese, Ghent (B)
2005 De Lichte Kamer – Galerie S&H De Buck, Ghent (B)
Solo & Two Person Exhibitions
2025 Schuilplaats, Rudi J.L. Bogaerts & Luc Piron, Pijpketel – Zottegem (B)
2024 Rudi J.L. Bogaerts & Joris Vermassen, Croxhapox - Ghent (B)
2022 Op ware grootte/In real size – Huis voor kunst, Art Borgloon, Borgloon (B)
2016 Overweg – WARP – Welzijnshuis, Sint-Niklaas (B)
2015 Blind spot observer – Casa Argentaurum, Ghent (B)
2013 Spatie-Espace – Casa Argentaurum, Ghent (B)
2009 Hinweise zum Lexikon – Galerie Jan Dhaese, Ghent (B)
2008 This photo has notes – CC Hasselt, Hasselt (B)
2007 Lexicon – Galerie Jan Dhaese, Ghent (B)
2006 Et le Manuel – Gallery Argentaurum, Knokke-Zoute (B)
2005 Images Volées – Gallery Argentaurum, Knokke-Zoute (B)
Projects
2001 In situ project 'Positions' – CEI construct, Neder-Over-Heembeek (B)
1999 In situ project 'De Ontmoetingsmuur-Mur de Rencontre' – Parliament of the Brussels-Capital Region, Brussels (B)
Collections
1993 French National Collection (by Jean-Claude Lemagny) – Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (F)
Bibliography
2009 Monograph 'Hinweise zum Lexikon' – text Inge Braekman, Les cahiers d’Aline, ISBN 978 94 901 3600 0
Selected Awards and Fellowships
2019 Short listed for Mostyn Open 21, Wales (UK), selection
2017 Short listed for Mostyn Open 20, Wales (UK), selection
2011 Grant – Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, Salzburg (A), residence
2010 Prijs van Asse – Galerie de Ziener, Asse (B), short listed
2007 The Viewing Program and Artist Registry’s pool – Drawing Center New York (US), selection
2005 Prize for Plastic Arts of the Province of East-Flanders – Ghent (B), short listed
1990 Prize for Plastic Arts of the City of Harelbeke, Photography – Harelbeke (B), 2nd mention
1990 Prize of the Province of Antwerp, Photography – Antwerp (B), short listed
1989 8th Prize of the Open National Photography, Museum of Photography – Charleroi (B), Prix Clichés
Education
1994-1995 School of Arts (KASK) – MFA in photography, Ghent (B)
1987-1990 School of Arts (KASK) – dept. photography & film, Ghent (B)
1984-1987 School of Arts (KASK) – dept. painting + dept. graphics + dept. sculpture, Ghent (B)
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