Biografie
Dirk Janssens werkt en woont in Leuven, België.
In zijn werk verkent Dirk Janssens het positieve en het emotionele van het basisbegrip ‘mens-zijn’.
Zijn oeuvre is een hommage aan het leven die hij, op een haast bezeten wijze, puur instinctief en in een volstrekt unieke taal, op het doek katapulteert.
Tegelijkertijd biedt deze kunst troost, want ze vuurt aan tot levensenthousiasme en bezieling, en vormt in wezen een onvermoeibare hofmaking aan de hartstocht.
De kunstenaar dwingt zichzelf om iedere frustratie, futiel tot ingrijpend, om te buigen in zuivere levenskracht.
De expressies hiervan getuigen van een ijzeren wil, een onuitputtelijke drift en een bestendig optimisme dat in de kunstenaar zelf verankerd ligt.
Op die manier stemt hij zijn publiek tot contemplatie over hun eigen geluksbeleving.
English
Dirk Janssens lives and works in Leuven, Belgium.
In his art Dirk Janssens explores the positive and emotional aspects of the basic concept of being human. His work is a tribute to life and love, purely instinctive, in a completely unique language. His works are an investigative transformation; it is far from arbitrary, and represents a willful, passionate craving for almost unattainable and utopian Love. At the same time, this art offers comfort, as it fires an enthusiasm for life and inspiration; in fact it’s a tireless courting of passion itself.
The artist forces himself to convert every single feeling of frustration into pure life force. Whether futile or intense, the expression shows an iron will, an unfailing passion and an enduring optimism that is deep-rooted in the artist himself. By doing so he makes his audience contemplate their own happiness.
Biography
During his childhood, he worked in the studio of his father, sculptor and artist F. Janssens. That is where he learned how to sketch, paint, use and understand materials and techniques. He painted portraits, abstract works, worldly wisdoms and quotes on canvas.
After years of intense research and study, Janssens made his first collection in 2010. He named it Made in Wonderland. It was one of the most popular shows to be exhibited at CATM CHELSEA, New York in 2011. He continued his professional career as an artist with his second collection, Lost in Wonderland, debuting at the BAH – Belgian Art House, where his work was welcomed with great excitement and proved most successful. There his work was displayed with some of the greatest contemporary Belgian artists, including, Luc Tuymans, Michael Borremans, Arne Quinze, Hans Op de Beeck and Jan De Cock.
Continuing his success with his Wonderland series, his third solo exhibition, Back in Wonderland, was exhibited at the BOA Gallery in Los Angeles, CA in July 2012. The LA exhibition was highlighted on Belgian television. Janssens was then selected to participate in the second installation of BAH – Belgian Art House II in November 2012.
Dirk Janssens was chosen, from a competition that boasted participation from 19 European countries, as Winner of the Jury Award for Nestlé, Nescafe Dolce Gusto Euro design Contest. His design for a brand new coffee machine, Fountain of Hope, was mentioned in Italian Vogue in November 2012. Janssens continued his run with another impressive locale, amidst the Alps in Austria, in March 2013. At the prestigious Zhero Hotel, he presented his own Winter Wonderland. Later in 2013 he showed in the Kunstroute in Belgium. In October 2013 Janssens was featured at the Carrousel du Louvre, Paris. This exhibition prompted an invitation to participate in the Second International Biennale of Contemporary Art in Argentina.
In April 2014 the artist took part under the umbrella ‘Irreversible MAG’- Miami’, an international art project, in Art Monaco, considered as the most prestigious art fair in the French Riviera. In July and August Dirk Janssens took part in a group exhibition at Galerie Paul Janssen in Grimaud, France. Also in August 2014, the artist held an exhibition during Art Nocture in Knocke, Belgium. In September 2014 he showed his new monumental inflatable work ‘Aloha’ during Giants in the City at the September Art Days, Bayfront Park, Miami Downtown. Dirk Janssens was also part of the Biennale in Buenos Aires, October 2014.
In February 2015, the Macaya Gallery in Miami, USA, invited the artist to participate in a group exhibition, ‘Gold Rush’.
In June 2015, Janssens was invited for a second time by Galerie Paul Janssen for a new group exhibition, ‘L’Art Qui Parle’, for the opening of their new gallery in Saint-Tropez, France.
Dirk Janssens is now preparing a new exhibition with new abstract work.
To be continued.