_Geboren 1949, Aalst, België
Leeft en werkt in Schoonaarde, België
Er zijn maar weinig kunstenaars die zo'n consistent oeuvre hebben als Paul Gees.
Sinds het begin van de jaren '80 verkennen zijn sculpturen één thema: spanning.
Zijn sculpturen belichamen samengestelde composities waarin evenwicht, spanning en een verfijnd gevoel voor verhouding de boventoon voeren. Daarnaast valt het doordachte gebruik van hout, metaal en steen op. Metaal krijgt een constructieve en ruimtebepalende betekenis, goed gedimensioneerd hout vormt een dynamisch onderdeel en ruwe steen zorgt voor natuurlijke massa. De confrontatie tussen deze traditionele materialen creëert spanningsvolle tegenstellingen in een fragiel evenwicht: 'een hedendaagse alchemist, die energie ontlokt aan de materie'.
tekst door Eric Rinkhout
_Born 1949, Aalst, Belgium
Lives and works in Schoonaarde, Belgium
There are very few artists who have an oeuvre as consistent as that of Paul Gees.
Since the early ’80s, his sculptures explore a single theme: tension.
His sculptures embody composite compositions in which balance, tension and a refined sense of proportion prevail. In addition, the well-considered use of wood, metal and rock is striking. Metal acquires a constructive and space-defining meaning, well-dimensioned wood forms a dynamic component and raw stone provides natural mass. The confrontation between these traditional materials creates tension-filled contradictions in a fragile balance: ‘a contemporary alchemist, who elicits energy from the matter’.
text by Eric Rinkhout
photo by Isabelle Pateer
Solo exhibitions
2024
Paul Gees, valerie_traan gallery, Antwerp
2019
Overview #1, Sculptures, pictures and drawings, Loom Gallery, Milan (IT)
Overview #2, Fondazione Kenta and Loom Gallery, Milan (IT)
Paul Gees 12.12 (with book presentation), valerie_traan gallery, Antwerp
2018
Under pressure '18. Sculptures and drawings, valerie_traan gallery, Antwerp
2017
Under Pressure. Sculptures, wall objects and drawings. Loom Gallery, Milan (IT)
Silent vibrations. Sculptures, installation and drawings. Nevens Garage, Ninove
2016
Connected-Disconnected. Sculptures and wall objects. The Ziener gallery, Asse
2015
More far than the borders with Paul Gees and Wim De Pauw. Tom Van Den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
2014
Supported horizons. Shed 12 with Dave Meijer (NL), Wetteren
Family Encounters. Sculptures, drawings and paintings of Paul and Ibrich Gees. Jan Colle gallery, Ghent
Second Nature, Ibrich and Paul Gees. Lia Schelkens, Schilde,
Crossing rhythms with Stijn Kriele (NL). Cathy De Vos gallery, Aalst
2013
In the offices of Société Generale, Aalst
Private Banking in collaboration with Netwerk, Center for Contemporary Art, Aalst.
2012
Experimental Intermedia, Out of frame, showcase project. Ghent
Recent works , Van Den Berge gallery with Raf Thys, Goes (NL)
2011
Collapsing the arches. Wall objects. Van Den Berge gallery, with Mil Ceulemans, Goes (NL)
Curtains. Wall objects and drawings. De Ziener gallery, Asse
2010 Sculptures. Sculptures, installations and drawings. Elimart, Kapellen
2009 Sculptures, models and drawings, at the Friends of Hugo, Hansbeke
2008 Wall sculptures. Van den Berge gallery with Marinus Van Dijke, Goes (NL)
2006
Hinge_moments. CC Belgica in Huis van Winckel, Dendermonde,
Small sculptures. House St.- Bonaventura, Ghent
Installation and small drawings. Secondroom, Brussels
1999
Crosswise in length. Sculptures and drawings. Transit gallery, Mechelen
Wall objects. Lydie Rekow gallery, Crest (FR)
Intimate walls. Wall objects and drawings. CD gallery, Tielt
Sculptures, models and drawings, Luca gallery, Zaltbommel (NL)
Sculptures and drawings. CC De Doos, Hasselt
Summer pieces – Outdoor pieces. Park Blauwendael, Waasmunster
Sculptures and drawings. CC De Stroming, Berlare
Sculptures and drawings. White-Out Space gallery, Knokke
Sculptures, wall objects and drawings. The Ziener gallery, Asse
Bruno Decré and Paul Gees. Cathy De Vos gallery, Aalst
Atelier Brigitte Closset with Brigitte Closset and Armand Silvestre, Liège
1998
Sculptures, models and drawings. Cultural center De Poort, Zonnebeke
1997
Sculptures and wall objects. House Jacobus, Ghent
See the stars between the trees. Park ter Beuken, Lokeren
Domain 'The Moth', Jenny Van Driessche Zaffelare
1996
Sculptures. Kunstverein Friedberg, Frankfurt (DE)
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary. CIAP, Hasselt
Project Poorthuis, Installation of 2 large-scale sculptures at the Grote Markt, Hasselt
1995
Sculptures, wall objects and installations. CD gallery, Tielt
Sculptures. St Luke's Passage, Antwerp
Sculptures and drawings. Lydie Rekow gallery, Crest (FR)
Paul Gees, An island like a glass cage. In collaboration with CC Westrand and in the context of Open Monumentendag, Dilbeek
1994
Evelyne Canus Art Contemporary, La-Colle-sur-Loup (FR)
large-scale integration in private gardens F. Lippens. Roquefort-Les-Pins, Nice (FR)
1993
Sculptures and drawings. S 65 gallery, Aalst
1992
Sculptures. CIAP, Hasselt
Sculptures and drawings . Lydie Rekow gallery, Crest (FR)
1991
Sculptures and drawings. Plus-Kern gallery, Brussels
1990
Sculptures and drawings. Municipal Museum, Bergen op Zoom (NL)
Sculptures. Benno Premsela, Amsterdam (NL)
Sculptures and drawings. Angel Romero gallery, Madrid (ES)
1989
Sculptures and drawings. S 65 gallery, Aalst
Sculptures and drawings. Neuer Aachener Kunstverein, Aachen (DE)
Sculptures and drawings. Lydie Rekow gallery, Lyon (FR)
Sculptures and drawings. Transit gallery, Leuven
1988
Sculptures and drawings. Plus-Kern gallery, Brussels
Sculptures and drawings. Brigitte March gallery, Stuttgart (DE)
1987
Sculptures and drawings. XXI gallery, VTB-VAB, Antwerp
Sculptures and installations. Moltkerei Werkstatt, Cologne (DE)
Sculptures and drawings. Hugo Minnen gallery, Dessel
Sculptures and installations. Apollohuis, Eindhoven (NL)
1986
Sculptures. Plus-Kern gallery, Brussels
Installations. Center d'Art Contemporary, Rouen (FR)
Sculptures and drawings. The Empty Space, Bruges
1985
Sculptures. L'Autre Espace, Tournai
1984
Sculptures. Alternative Space At-Work, Ghent
Sculptures and installations. Provincial Museum of Contemporary Art, Hasselt
1983
Sculptures and installations. Ruimte Morguen, Borgerhout
1982
Sculptures and photographic work. Beursschouwburg, Brussels
1981
Performance and installation. New Workshop, Brussels
1980
Sculptures and photographic work . St Luke's Gallery, Brussels
1977
New Reform gallery, Aalst
1975
University Institution Antwerp, Antwerp
Public collections
Waasmunster, sculpture 'EYE SHEET', 2019-2021
Berlare, Donkmeer - Duck Decoy Reenactment 1994 - 2021
Kruibeke, Scheldelei, sculpture Poldersteen, 2019-2020
Eeklo, New hospital AZ Alma, sculpture Dubbele Knik, 2017
Province of Limburg, PASf Foundation (Private Arts Support foundation, Limburg), 2013
Kapellen, Elim, Psychiatric Center, sculpture Hanging, 2010
Rumbeke, Company Shape, Metalworks, sculpture Hoeksteen, 2008
De Montil, Essene - Affligem, sculpture Klemboom, 2005
Beavers, sculpture Over-exciting, 2003
Erpe-Mere, drawing 1994.
Schoten, sculpture Bench girder, 2001
Brussels, Firma SMALLS, sculpture Double 0, 2000
De Pinte, sculpture Small Gate, 2000
City of Turnhout, Stationsplein, sculpture The Great Traveler, 1999
Zonnebeke, Town Square, sculpture The Turning Point, 1998
Sint-Katelijne-Waver, De Nayer institute, sculpture Parallel, 1997
Brasschaat municipality, sculpture Roof chair, 1997
Zwijndrecht, sculpture When a tree touches the stars, 1997
City of Lokeren, along the Durme sculpture Vertically pierced, 1994
Province of Limburg, Province House, sculpture Dialogue, 1994
Leuven, KBC bank, sculpture
Brussels, National Bank, sculpture Vertically enclosed, 1988
Museum of Modern Art, Brussels. Sculpture and drawing.
Muhka, Antwerp. Sculpture.
Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Grafische Sammlung. Drawing.
Flemish community. Sculptures.
Private collections in Belgium and abroad
Honorary Award of International Jury in the Xthe international exhibition of original drawings, Museum of Modern Art, Rijeka (Y) 1988
Poster design
Proka, Ghent – Theory / Information / Practice – Gallery New Reform – Academy, Ghent, 1976
Beursschouwburg – Performance Art Festival – Brussels, 1978
Kaaitheater – Theatre Festival '83 - Brussels
Production 'Hinterland' 1990 – De Munt – Anne Theresa De Keersmaecker
International theatre festival The Hague – Antwerp – 1992
Graphic designs + imaging for the architecture department, St.-Lucas Brussels-Ghent 2000 – 2009
Publication
Celine Art Project, Paul Gees, 2024
Paul Gees - Tension, balance, risk, stability, 2019
with Posture Editions, Ghent – 'Ohne Warum', 2012 – posture n°2 with texts from Luk Lambrecht and Francis Smets
Edition.1995. Print edition of 50. Photo of temporary installation Conversation Piece with imprint of the applicable poem Gracht by Roland Jooris.
1984 – incentive bonus from the Belgian State
1986 – lecture series, Art and Architecture (published by Amarant)
Education
1992-2009
Teacher "Expression and mixed media", Faculty of Architecture, KU Leuven / Campus Sint-Lucas Ghent.
1980-1992
Teacher Form Study (study of shapes) Sint-Lukas Higher Institute, Interior and Construction
1969-1973
Sint-Lukas, Brussels - Interior Design Studies
Group exhibitions
2024
5th ART ANTWERP, with valerie_traan gallery, Antwerp
2023
Paul Gees and Frie J. Jacobs, Cultural center De Bijl, Zoersel (BE)
2022
The Cabinet, Art Brussels with valerie_traan gallery, Tour&Taxis, Brussels
About architecture , kajetan in collaboration with valerie_traan gallery, Berlin (DE)
2021
Small Sculptures, Michel Rein gallery, Brussels
Artissima Art fair, with Loom Gallery Milano, Turin (IT)
10 years of Posture Editions - 'One way or another', SMAK, Ghent
VILLA U / Luc Coeckelberghs, Paul Gees and Jean-Georges Massart. Meensel-Kiezegem (Tielt-Winge)
View indicator #16 , Gallery Van den Berge, Goes (NL)
2020
About time / Du temps, The Markets, Brussels
Reasons to be cheerful #1 - 30 years Galerie Van den Berge, Goes (NL)
At the first floor, a selection of gallery artists, valerie_traan gallery, Antwerp
Comfort in tough times - online exhibition, Galerie Van den Berge, Goes (NL)
2019
Cape-Town Art fair with Loom Gallery Milano, Cape Town (ZA)
International art fair Miart 2019 with Loom Gallery Milano, Milan (IT)
A Question of Place, no Limits in a Cellar, Herentals
international art fair Artissima 2019 with Loom Gallery Milano, Turin (IT)
2018
International art fair Miart 2018 with Loom Gallery Milano, Milan (IT)
Paul Gees, Jus Juchtmans, Dave Meijer and Mary A. Waters. Tom Van Den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
Art Brussels with valerie_traan gallery, Brussels
Wim Wauman invites in WORK FLOW, a play with (arts) Apes and Crafts (catalogue ), CC, Sint-Niklaas
Opening of the renovated Museum Hof van Busleyden, Mechelen
St. Martin's Cathedral and St. James' Church Momentum 18 , Ypres
Wood Smell with JG-Massart, Bert De Geyter, Jo Vanrijckghem and Paul Gees , De Koolputten, Waasmunster
International art fair Artissima 2018 with Loom Gallery Milano, Turin (IT)
KRASJ 4, initiative De Voorkamer, Ninove
Sculptures, installation and paintings. Bankgalleryprojects with Bieke Depuydt, Ghent
2017
4 x Father/Daughter , The Laundry Art Center, Lokeren
Out of context , Kunstenhuis, Harelbeke
The New Observer (Curator), Hof ter Saksen, Beveren
'InnerNature1' with Laure Forêt, Isa D'Hondt and Arjan Janssen, Pavilion Contemporary art, Watou
Gestalt , Pack, Gistel
2016
The one from Aalst , contemporary art from collections in Aalst, Aalst, Ghent, Dendermonde
Belgian Wochen, Anne Voss gallery, Dortmund (DE)
Out of the Black and into the Blue, Tom Van Den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
Arts & Metiers, Chateau de Jehay, Amay, Province de Liege
exhibition 'VERWAND', D'Apostrophe, Meigem, Deinze
Crazy Violence / Crazy Virgin - Tribute to the 100-year death of Rik Wouters and the statue Het Zotte Geweld. Hof van Busleyden, Mechelen
30 years of The Seer, The Markets, Brussels
La Châtaigneraie, Arts & Metaux, Flémalle
B.LAST – 'The aftershock of the abstract' (catalogue). Venetian Galleries, Ostend
2015
Paul Gees – Ado Hamelrijck – Jean-Georges Massart , CC, Hasselt
50 years of Beursschouwburg – with Wim Wauman, AMVK, Walter Swennen and others , Brussels
E QUI LIBRE, d'Apostrophe, Meigem, Deinze
Art Fort/Fort Art, Antwerp
Art-traces across the Western Front, Langemark-Poelkapelle
Stationsstraat Ninove, The Front Room, Ninove
'(Re)View' Closing exhibition at the farewell of René Geladé, CC, Hasselt
'Argentum', 25 years Tom Van Den Berge gallery – part 1. Tom Van Den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
2014
City of Mechelen Sculpture Award, De Garage, Mechelen
Price Ernest Albert 2014
A group, 'The Seer' gallery, Asse
in the spaces of the mine of Beringen – B-Mine Vlezenbeek, With/Without in Villa Nederloo with Henk Delabie and Alex Michels. BreukLijn, Beringen
'What happens to matter' with Arpaïs du Bois (catalogue). Eva Steynen. Devia-tions, Antwerp
SCULPTURE, Ramfoundation, Rotterdam (NL)
installations, Citadelarte' at Citadel, Diest
2013
Transformations, The Markets, Brussels
+23, Van Den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
PASf (Private Arts Support Foundation), Atelier Piet Stockmans, C-Mine, Genk
A group, The Seer gallery, Asse
Amsterdam Drawing, Van Den Berge gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
'i become', curated by Johan De Wilde, De Voorkamer, Lier
Sculpture after 1945, Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Brussels
2012
Art Rotterdam with Van Den Berge gallery, Rotterdam (NL)
Art Amsterdam with Van Den Berge gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
A group, 'The Seer' gallery, Asse
' Winter Exhibition ' with Dave Meijer, Tweede Natuur, Halle Zoerzel
2011
Art Amsterdam with Van Den Berge gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
X-Reflections with Luc Binst, Luc Deleu, Honoré d'O, Gunther Förg and others, CC, Strombeek Bever
'From dust to ashes ', group exhibition at various locations in Asse (catalogue), Asse
Abstractions, Villa de Olmen, Wieze
2010
View Indicator # 8 , Van den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
'Shared Horizon' with Dave Meijer, H8 x 12, Tielt-Winge
Art-Amsterdam with Van den Berge gallery Amsterdam (Nl) - Autumn project Second Nature, Halle Zoerzel
2009
Kunstrai, Tom van den Berge gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
Guards (for Bachte), Deinze
'Relationships', a cabinet composed by Voorkamer , Lier. Z33, Hasselt
2008
in the context of Salon Aalst integrations on the facade of arts center Netwerk and in the premises of CC De Werf, Aalst
Negnitrepeoh with Marilou van Lierop Thuin, Fluide, Trail of current art. Mariagaarde Castle, Hoepertingen
Colour / Non Colour, Van Den Berge gallery, Goes (NL)
Art Amsterdam with Jus Juchtmans, Dave Meijer and Paul Gees, Amsterdam (NL)
Gallery EL with Raphaël Buedts, Erik De Smet and Freddy Van Parijs, Welle, Denderleeuw
Orpheus Institute with Brigitte Closset, Ghent
2007
Jambes, with Marion Bessem and Jean-Georges Massart, Detour gallery, Namur
with Rafaël Buedts, Town Hall, Wetteren
The Halle in Coloratura with Cathy De Vos gallery, Geel
with Fik Van Gestel, R53 gallery, Ostend
Art-Amsterdam with Van den Berge gallery, Amsterdam (NL)
C'est écrit dans les Etoiles, Château de Waroux, Ans (Alleur)
Lineart with Second Nature, Lia Schelkens, Ghent
2006
Meaning, CC De Doos, Hasselt
with Croxaphox, Basics 2, Maagdendale abbey, Oudenaarde
CC de Bogaard in collaboration with Ciap, Jean-Georges Massart and Paul Gees, St.-Truiden
4 x 4 with Dan Van Severen, Nicoline van Stappele and Bernard Sercu, House of St.-Bonaventura, Ghent
2003
Dialogica in collaboration with Centrum Autisme and Netwerk gallery, Aalst. Eskimopand, Ghent
Between Heaven and Earth (catalogue), Second Nature in the Schildehof, Schilde
Paul Gees, Panamarenko, Ronny Delrue and Laurent Cruyt (catalogue), Aumonerie Saint-Jacques, Gordes (FR)
Constructive, with Willy De Sauter, Freek Wambacq, Freddy Van Parijs, Etienne van Doorselaer and Kris de Vleeschouwer. CC Strombeek Bever, Grimbergen
Poisonous, De Markten and Cathy De Vos gallery, De Markten, Brussels
Basics 1, Croxaphox, Ghent
2001
Contemporary art in West Flemish Collections, The mirror of desire, Kortrijk
Statues in the park 6, Hof ter Saksen, Beveren
Luca gallery with Auke De Vries, Sjoerd Buisman, Adam Colton, Zaltbommel (NL)
My Past, 2001, FLACC, Genk
2000
Sculpture Gallery Lia Schelkens, Halle/Zoerzel
Playgrounds '00' (catalogue), Aarschot
1999
The world according to..., Odapark, Venray (NL)
Second nature, Sculpture Gallery Lia Schelkens, Halle/Zoerzel
From Dust to Asse (catalogue), The Seer gallery, Asse
1998
Emergency entrance, CC De Spil, Roeselare
Art-Mix, Path gallery, Aalst
1996
Three Sculptors/Drawings, S65 gallery, Aalst
Deepening with Ado Hamelrijck and Jean-Georges Massart. Provincial beguinage, Hasselt
with David Nash and Ludwig Van De Velde, Vishal, Haarlem (NL)
Art as a lasting gift, CIAP, Hasselt
1997
Drawings by Beedhouwers, Academy, Mortsel
Everywhere and hereafter, The Front Room, Lier
Aspects '97 ( catalogue), Sebrechtspark, Bruges
Images in Bel-Air, Nature-industry, Willebroeck
1995
Acquisitions Flemish Community 93-94, Muhka, Antwerp
competition for integrated sculpture in Administrative Center, Leipzig (DE)
integration in city gate with Le Triangle Bleu gallery, Eté Stavelot, Stavelot
Footprints, William Wauters gallery, Oosteeklo
Kunstverein Munsterland with Thomas Poggenhans, Emsdetten (DE)
Kunstmesse Cologne, Zurich and Basel with S65 gallery
The Human Condition, The White Hall, Sint-Lucas, Ghent
Tribute to Emiel Poetou, The White Hall, Sint-Lucas, Ghent
1994 Kunstmesse Cologne and Basel, with S65 gallery, (DE)
1993
Random Drawings, Ram-Gallery, Rotterdam (NL)
5 years De Werf, Cultural Center, Aalst
Aspects'93. (catalogue), Park Sebrechts, Bruges
Images on the Mountain (catalogue), Wageningen (NL)
with Rafaël Buedts (catalogue), Museum Het Toreke, Tienen
1992
Meaning, CC, Heusden-Zolder
with Luk Berghe and Johan Slabbycnk, Galerie Eigen Art, Berlin (DE)
with Carlo Mistiaen, Dorp en Dal, Ghent
Wood sculpture, CC, Heusden-Zolder
Works of art acquired by the Flemish Community 90-91. Museum Deinze and the Leiestreek, Deinze
Labyrinth '92, Herzele
Kunstmesse with S65 gallery, Cologne (DE)
1991
Les Voies de la Culture Européenne - Bratislava (SK), Brussels, Berlin (DE)
Wir Flandern (catalogue), Leipzig (DE)
Kunst-Rai, Central exhibition, Amsterdam (NL)
Art in Flanders Now, Muhka, Antwerp
Kunstmesse with Plus-Kern gallery, Cologne (DE)
Continuous, Park Blauwendaal (catalogue), Waasmunster
1990
Art project 1, Lommel
Temples, Columns and Pedestals, Cultural Centre De Werf, Aalst
Kunstmesse with Plus-Kern gallery, Cologne (DE)
1989
Solitude Echos, Kunstverein Ludwigsburg, Stuttgart (DE)
The Integral. (catalogue), Bruges
Foundation the Gallery Against the Clock, Leeuwarden (NL)
Contemporary Monumental Sculpture , Bornem
Cultural Center De Werf with Marek Chlanda, Aalst
Atelier 340, Kolekcja Profesora Gimnastyki (B. Oosterlynck.), Jette
251 Nord, Fenêtres en Vue, Liège
1988
Exchange, Craeme Murray Gallery with Dan Van Severen and Eric De Smet, Edinburgh (GB)
The Collection. (catalogue). Muhka, Antwerp
International Exhibition of Original Drawings, Museum of Modern Art, Rijeka (Y),
Contemporary Art in small format, Old Hospital, Aalst
Zeichnung International, Brigitte March, Stuttgart (DE)
1987
Plus-Kern gallery in Association Museum of Contemporary Art, Ghent
Arte in Situazione Belgica with Espace 251 Nord, Rome (IT)
Contemporary Art Meeting (catalogue), Tel Hai Art College, Israel
Espace Austerlitz (catalogue), Jeune Sculpture 87/1, Paris (FR)
Brigitte March Gallery Zeichnungen, Stuttgart (DE)
Deconstruction (catalogue), Halles de Schaerbeek, Brussels
1986
Lapides Ad Initium, Initiatief, Ghent
Hebe '86, Mattenburg Estate, Bergen Op Zoom (NL)
Schloss Solitude, Brigitte March Galerie, Stuttgart (DE)
Work-Gallery with Kazuo Kataze and Ansgar Nierhoff, Bonn (DE)
Confrontation, Old Hospital, Aalst
Opcit festival, Brussels
1985
Prozess und Konstruktion, Lotringerstrasse 13, Munich (DE)
18th Middelheim Biennial, Antwerp
Investigations (catalogue), Espace 251 Nord, Liège
1984
Albert Waalkens gallery, Finsterwolde (NL)
Aspects '84 (catalogue), Park Sebrechts, Bruges
Jeune Sculpture 2-3,3-2 dimensions, Gare d'Austerlitz, Paris (FR)
Tectonic '84 (catalogue), Liège
1983
Stone in Belgian Sculpture, Atelier 340, Brussels
Playgrounds '83 (catalogue), Aarschot
1982
Theses, New Workshop, Young Brussels Art (catalogue), Brussels
1978
Artformative (catalogue), Aalst
Performance Art Festival, Beursschouwburg, Brussels
1977
New Reform in Rhok, Brussels
1976
Proka, Theory/Information/Practice with New-Reform (Aalst), Ghent
Maki Gallery, Tokyo (J)
1975 slide project, Elsa van Honolulu Loringshoven, Ghent
1974
New Reform, Forms of Creativity, Aalst