About
Conrad Willems
I am a visual artist making drawings, sculptures and performances.
I was born by the sea, but live and work in Ghent.
Geometry, repetition and modularity are three basic principles in all of my works, resulting in a visual language that is highly recognisable.
The drawings show the repetition of figures, varying in shapes and sizes. They are made with freehand and without a predetermined plan: every drawn line is a permanent one. This method of freehand repetition generates patterns, disturbed by imperfections in the repetition process. Some earlier drawings are reminiscent of cities or minimal urban landscapes. There are however only shapes, no buildings. The form denies any function. In more recent work, the repetition pattern becomes more and more flawed. Ultimately, each shape is a new one. In my latest work I layer several drawings over each other, blurring recognisable shapes, then adding new ones.
The sculptures share the same basic principles. Earlier works explored simple geometric shapes, blurred or emphasised by adding light. Later sculptural works are constructed with freestanding pieces. These modular installations are often constructed live. The building process thus becomes a performance, the resulting construction an installation work. My latest installations are made with natural stone building blocks, referring more and more to sculptures in a more classical sense.
The interpretations of the works are left to the viewer.
Press & Publications
2023 Brussels Architecture Prize, BAP+, Youtube
2023 La Pierre naturelle dans les espaces publics, Pierre et Marbres de Wallonie, conference
2022 Building materials in works of art, SAVVY, Interview
2022 Conrad Willems herstapelt de ouderwetse blokkendoos, exhibition review, Sabato weekend magazine
2022 Architectural Choreography, AINB, Lezing, Interview
2021 Music Matters over Bolero / L’heure Espagnole, radio Klara
2021 Achter de schermen bij Bolero / L’heure Espagnole, Youtube
2021 In het hoofd van Conrad Willems, Brugge DKO, Lezing, Youtube
2021 Sculptuur 2 jaar te bewonderen in Knokke, HLN, Newspaper article
2021 In Various Parts, Gallery dAM, Exhibition tekst
2021 Hoe hanteer je een kunstobject, Het Entrepot VZW, Youtube
2020 Hoe bepaal je de prijs van een kunstwerk? Cultuurloket, Youtube
2019 De Bovenkamer: Conrad Willems, Intsite, interview
2019 De Kunst van het Verzamelen, Amarant, BAD beurs, expo review
2019 Performance Cubicles VIII, Ghent Festival, video
2019 An Afternoon with Conrad Willems, Domus magazine, interview
2019. Doodgewone dingen, De Standaard Magazine, lifestyle interview
2019 Openbaar Kunstbezit Vlaanderen, OKV, interview
2019 Essential Fantasy, TL magazine, expo review
2018 Interview for Biennale Interieur Kortrijk, video Interview
2018 Construction V, Biennale Interieur, Knack Weekend, expo review
2018 Modular Sculptures, Atelier Jespers, Dezeen, expo review
2018 Modular Sculptures, Atelier Jespers, Design @ large, expo review
2018 Miart, #itenerance04, Wallpaper, expo review
2018 Miart, #itenerance04, Elledecor Italy, expo review
2018 Miart, #itenerance04, Esquire, expo review
2017 Blind Choices, Tumult FM, radio interview
2017 Duivelsteen performance, HLN, newspaper interview
2017 Duivelsteen performance, AVS, TV interview
2016 Opening veeartsenijschool, AVS, TV interview
2014 Tumultingent, Tumult FM, radio interview
2013 There are stories of, catalogue, Conrad Willems, p.72
2013 Weekend Knack, Rorschach expo review
2013 Gentblogt.be, review, Yconography – Conrad Willems
2012 DIY days Ghent, article, Art, play and networking with a view, p29-30
2012 www.fotorama.be, announcement, stARTist Conrad Willems
2012 gentblogt.be, mentioned, Kotroute
2012 Kotroute in full color Catalogus, catalogue, Conrad Willems, p.8
2011 www.khleuven.be, press release, KHLeuven huldigt kunstwerken in
2011 Gazet Van Antwerpen, mentioned, Publieksprijs tekenkunst Heist op Den Berg
Awards & Honors
2017 Winner Prix de Godecharle for Sculpture/ Brussels / Belgium
2015 Selected: Provinciale prijs Beeldende kunst / Oost-Vl / Belgium
2014 Shortlisted: Summer exhibition / Royal Academy / London / UK
2013 Selected: Grote prijs tekenkunst Ronse / Belgium
2013 Shortlisted: Summer exhibition / Royal Academy / London / UK
2013 Shortlisted: Arte Laguna / Venice / Italy
2011 First Prize: Art4students / Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven / Belgium
2011 Selected: Grote prijs tekenkunst Ronse / Belgium
2011 Selected: tekenkunstprijs /Heist op den Berg / Belgium
Selected Exhibitions
2024 Adrien Tirtaux & Conrad Willems / Park ter Beuken / Lokeren / Belgium
2024 Solo Presentation / Architect @ work / Tour & taxis / Brussels / Belgium
2024 OAF - Ooidonk Art Festival / francis Maere / Ooidonk / Belgium
2024 Amare Kunstroute / Damme / Belgium
2024 Do the right Ding / Design Museum Ghent / Ghent / Belgium
2024 20 years of DAMN / DAMN Magazine / Palazzo Litto / Milan / Italy
2024 Pierre vers une évolution / Atelier 34zero / Brussels / Belgium
2023 Brussels Architecture Prize Awards / BOZAR / Belgium
2023 Expressive itinerance / Electric Paris / Paris / France
2023 Cubicles XI / Ontsteking / Gent / Belgium
2023 Art for sale / Francis Maere / Ooidonk / Belgium
2022 History of the future / NEST / Damme / Belgium
2022 PLAY BOX / Hilde Vandaele Gallery / Watou / Belgium
2021 Modular Construct / Casa Argentaurum / Gent / Belgium
2021 Brussels Architecture Prize Awards / BOZAR / Belgium
2021 Caroline Van Den Eynden - Conrad Willems / Ballroom Gallery / Brussels / Belgium
2020. CityTrip / CC De steiger / Menen / Belgium
2020 Zomersalon / Kunsthal / Gent / Belgium
2020 In Various Parts / Espace dAM / Romainmotier / Switzerland
2020 Scenography L’Heure Espagnole - Bolero / Opera Vlaanderen / Ghent - Antwerp / Belgium
2020 Hortus Conclusus / Museo Villa dei Cedri / Bellinzona / Switzerland
2020 Città Invisibili / Casa Cava Auditorium / Matera / Italy
2019 Performance VIII Cubicles / Ghent Festival / Ghent / Belgium
2019 De Biënnale van België / In de Ruimte / Ghent / Belgium
2019 In Various Shapes / Arrière Pensée / Ghent / Belgium
2019 Scenography Banket / Opera Vlaanderen / Ghent - Antwerp / Belgium
2019 ART-TECTUUR / CWART Gallery / Knokke / Belgium
2019 #Itinerance11 Collectible Art / Atelier Jespers / Brussels / Belgium
2019 ARCADES / Base-Alpha Gallery / Antwerp / Belgium
2018 Città Invisibili / Antilia Itinerant Gallery / Pugliese / Italy
2018 Art Elysées / Paris / France
2018 Landmarks, Construction V / Biennale Interieur / Kortrijk / Belgium
2018 BACKstreet / Bank gallery projects / Ghent / Belgium
2018 SPOREN / Ypres / Belgium
2018 Landschappen in perspectief / DOLERS / Dendermonde / Belgium
2018 Modular Sculptures / Atelier Jespers / Brussels / Belgium
2018 Miart, Contemporary Art fair / Atelier Jespers / Milan / Italy
2018 Composition I / Collectible Art Fair / Vanderborght / Brussels / Belgium
2018 Construction IV / BAD Belgium Art and Design / Ghent / Belgium
2018 Construction IV / Truc Troc Art Fair / BOZAR / Brussels / Belgium
2017 Tussen Muren / Academie Tielt / Tielt / Belgium
2017 Performance V, Cubicles / Observatorium / Antwerp / Belgium
2017 Visionary History / Luca Galery - Faculty Of Law / Leuven / Belgium
2017 Prix Godecharle / Académy Royal des Beaux-Arts / Brussels / Belgium
2017 Bakermat / De Boerderij / Drongen / Belgium
2017 Blind Choices / Blanco / Ghent / Belgium
2017 Yart / Gerald The Devil Castle / Ghent / Belgium
2016 Veiling Tuinfeest / Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens / Deurle / Belgium
2016 Plakstad / STAM / Ghent / Belgium
2016 Museumnacht Antwerpen / HeadquARTers / Antwerp / Belgium
2016 Our mathematical world / Sihttps://stamgent.be/en/nt Lucas galerij / Brussels / Belgium
2015 Constructions / Nylon Fabriek / Sint-Niklaas / Belgium
2015 Apprentice/Master exhibition #20 / De Brakke Grond / The Netherlands
2015 DOK - solo presentation / BLANCO / Ghent / Belgium
2015 Solo exhibition / Homerus / Paris / France
2015 Tumultingent / multiple locations / Ghent / Belgium
2014 Did You Say Abstract? / Oneiro Galerie / Paris / France
2014 Performance IV, Cubicles / STAM / Ghent / Belgium
2014 Ilya Prigogine / public group exhibition / Ghent / Belgium
2014 Summer Camp #1 / Gallery Cecilia Jaime / Ghent / Belgium
2014 Tumultingent / multiple locations / Ghent / Belgium
2013 Grand prize drawing / Ronse / Belgium
2013 Toeval Versus Ratio / Ghent / Belgium
2013 Rorschach / Avenue L Ghent / Belgium
2013 Yconography / Ycono / Ghent / Belgium
2013 Tumultingent / multiple locations / Ghent / Belgium
2012 Kotroute / SMAK / Ghent / Belgium
2012 Performance III, Cubicles / STAM / Ghent / Belgium
2012 Selected drawings / Aersele / Belgium
2012 stART, Fotorama window project / Wevelgem / Belgium
2012 Contemporary Art Sucks / Winkelhaak Antwerp / Belgium
2011 Grand prize drawing / Ronse / Belgium
2011 Drawing exhibition / Heist Op Den Berg / Belgium
2011 A stroke of genius / Autoworld Jubelpark Brussels / Belgium
2009 Urbania I, Cityminds / Brugge/ Belgium
2008 Performance II, Cubicles / Ghent / Belgium
2006 Performance I, Cubicles / Krack Rock Avelgem / Belgium
2006 Out of Control / VUB Brussels / Belgium
2006 FRIS / Gallery Jan Colle / Ghent / Belgium
2006 SpaceControl / Kaiku Galeria / Helsinki / Finland
2005 Het Proces / Crombeen Instituut / Ghent / Belgium
2005 Exposition / Kaiku Galeria / Helsinki / Finland