01.
EGLOMISE
Eglomisé is the technique of reverse-glass painting, central to Nelissen's practice. Using plexiglass as a canvas, the artist crafts work of unparalleled realism and spatiality, cementing his reputation as a leading exponent of the genre.
“Nelissen is the first painter to master églomisé reversed painting
on glass with such a realistic perspective and depth.”
Ernest van Buynder,
Honorary President M HKA,
Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
02.
POLYMISE
Polymisé is Nelissen's signature material, developed by himself, a unique blend of
paint and other often discarded elements. The concept evolved from the
artist's inquiry into the impact of light upon different surfaces and resulted in
charged, roughly textured sculptures and three-dimensional paintings that possess
an all-encompassing presence.
.
03.
ASSEMBLAGES
paintings
sculptures
expriences
04.
PAINTINGS
05.
PERFORMANCE ART
Paintings are transformed into music.
Music is transformed into paintings. For Nelissen, a synesthetic artist, this amalgamation is a part of his daily practice.
Having been trained to play the violin in his youth, he now explores the relationship between sound and vision through his performative art.
TUNING THE VIOLIN
Society starts with social thinking,
an orchestral piece starts with the tuning of violins,
as humanity back to basics,
let's tune our violins to be like-minded.
Society starts with social thinking,
an orchestral piece starts with the tuning of violins,
as humanity back to basics,
let's tune our violins to be like-minded.
︎︎︎full performance
"In my art, image and music come together. Some performances are accompanied by my own experimental violin playing. The images are transformed into music and vice versa, and the sounds stimulate the atmosphere of my art.”
- Koen Nelissen
Koen Nelissen,°1952, is a Belgian artist, known for his églomisé paintings and extensive oeuvre encompassing various mediums. Born into a family of artists, Nelissen initially pursued a musical path, studying violin at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp. However, it wasn't until his 50s that he fully immersed himself in painting, sculpture, performance, and installation art. Nelissen's works explore themes of faith, frustration, refugees, and the environment, mirroring his profound observations and worldview.
Central to Nelissen's artistic vision is an églomisé technique [painting in reverse]. By using plexiglass as a canvas, the artist creates his paintings with an unparalleled realistic perspective and depth.
In sculptural works, Nelissen puts emphasis on raw simple materials alongside discarded objects and appliances. Most of the pieces are predominantly made of polymisé, a material the artist developed himself, incorporating clothing and other elements into his work in addition to paint. The results are roughly textured sculptures and three-dimensional paintings that form an essential part of his artistic identity.
As a synesthetic artist, Nelissen experiences a unique fusion of music and visual art. He regards them as synonymous, with some of his paintings inspiring musical compositions and vice versa. "I hear sounds when looking at some of my paintings and I compose them. Sometimes I translate music into paintings”, shares the artist.
Nelissen's mind is never at rest, always questioning and unravelling the world. For him, the act of creation is a form of mental isolation, a thinking process not limited by the means of expression.
︎︎︎ Honorary President of MuHKA /
Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
Ernest Van Buynder about Koen Nelissen,
part of the foreword to the 'Reverse' book
Central to Nelissen's artistic vision is an églomisé technique [painting in reverse]. By using plexiglass as a canvas, the artist creates his paintings with an unparalleled realistic perspective and depth.
In sculptural works, Nelissen puts emphasis on raw simple materials alongside discarded objects and appliances. Most of the pieces are predominantly made of polymisé, a material the artist developed himself, incorporating clothing and other elements into his work in addition to paint. The results are roughly textured sculptures and three-dimensional paintings that form an essential part of his artistic identity.
As a synesthetic artist, Nelissen experiences a unique fusion of music and visual art. He regards them as synonymous, with some of his paintings inspiring musical compositions and vice versa. "I hear sounds when looking at some of my paintings and I compose them. Sometimes I translate music into paintings”, shares the artist.
Nelissen's mind is never at rest, always questioning and unravelling the world. For him, the act of creation is a form of mental isolation, a thinking process not limited by the means of expression.
︎︎︎ Honorary President of MuHKA /
Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
Ernest Van Buynder about Koen Nelissen,
part of the foreword to the 'Reverse' book