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Jan Fabre

Bio

Jan Fabre was born in 1958 in Antwerp where he lives and works. In his research the study of the human body and its transformations prevails through the extreme exploration of human corporeity. Metamorphosis is a key concept in Fabre’s body of work, in which human and animal life are in constant interaction.

He studied at the Municipal Institute of Decorative Arts and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. A kinsman of the famous entomologist Jean-Henry Fabre, he became attracted to the study of nature at a very young age and developed a true passion for the sciences, entomology in particular. The use of insects is a distinctive feature of his work where man, nature, and their mutual relations are his favorite themes. The beetle, an animal that appears frequently in his work, is a symbol of metamorphosis for Fabre: «Beetles are characterized by both an incredible instinct to death and a vitality, that enables them to change their physical features. After several stages of development, their body suddenly stops growing, to be born again and start with a new form […]. It is a kind of passage, that bears the promise of a new and better life in itself. In my research about the nature of future man, I’m inspired by beetles’ evolution, behavior and features» (Achille Bonito Oliva interviews Jan Fabre, 2008). Some of these works are: Beekeeper (1998-99), Strategy Field (Waterloo) (1998), Gravetomb (swords, skulls and crosses) (2000) and A Tribute to Belgian Congo (2010-2011). His artistic language has an all-absorbing and interdisciplinary character: he has created a highly personal world with its own rules and laws, as well as its own characters, symbols and recurring motifs. He is known throughout the world also as a choreographer, film director and writer. The many prestigious venues where his works have been displayed include the Venice Biennale (1984, 1990, 2003); Documenta (1987, 1992), Kassel; Musée du Louvre (2008), Paris;  Kunsthistorisches Museum (2011), Vienna;  Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (2012), Brussels; MAXXI (2013), Rome; Pinchuk Art Centre (2014), Kiev; Espace Louis Vuitton (2015), Tokyo; Palazzo Vecchio (2016), Florence; and The Hermitage Museum (2016), St. Petersburg. Most recently he has also exhibited his works in cities such as Amsterdam, Krakow, Geneva, Lyon, London, Padua, Paris, Rome, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Tokyo and Venice. He won the Pino Pascali Award (2008).

Shitting Doves of Peace and Flying Rats, 2008

Glass

25 x 260 x 25 cm / Variable dimensions

Glasstress 2019, Glasstress Beirut, Glasstress New York, Glasstress Stockholm, Glasstress Riga, Glasstress 2009

Jan Fabre - Shitting Doves of Peace and Flying Rats
Holy Dung Beetle with Laurel Tree, 2017

Glass

87 x 31 x 37 cm

Glasstress 2017

Cross for the Garden of Delight, 2013

Glass, silver leaf, wood

74 x 39.5 x 29.7 cm

Glasstress 2013

Jan Fabre - Cross for the Garden of Delight
Jan Fabre - Cross for the Garden of Delight
Greek Gods In A Body-Landscape (Griekse Goden In Een Lichaa-Landschap), 2011

Glass, bic ink, bones

Variable dimensions

Glasstress 2011

Jan Fabre - Greek Gods In A Body-Landscape (Griekse Goden In Een Lichaa-Landschap)
Jan Fabre - Greek Gods In A Body-Landscape (Griekse Goden In Een Lichaa-Landschap)
Jan Fabre - Greek Gods In A Body-Landscape (Griekse Goden In Een Lichaa-Landschap)
Jan Fabre - Greek Gods In A Body-Landscape (Griekse Goden In Een Lichaa-Landschap)
Planets I-IX (series), 2011

Glass, steel

ø 32 cm (glass), ø 58 cm (planet with stand)

Glasstress 2011, Glasstress Beirut

Jan Fabre - Planets
Jan Fabre - Planets
Untitled,  Ed. 6 + 2 AP, 2009

Glass

22 x 44 x 43 cm

Glasstress 2009

Jan Fabre - Untitled
Videos