bio

In his work Pierre Mertens fills the gap between art and society by looking into what he can bring to the lives of normal people. By involving himself personally he creates and presents images in areas that he has investigated himself. He makes use of materials, objects and symbols that are relevant to that specific context. Examples include exhibitions on site in an old people's home with a patient suffering from Alzheimer's, in difficult districts of Borgerhout and in the law courts of Cambrai. This contrary art, which he calls 'contextual art', started off in the late eighties when the art scene was making a post-modern revival. With his 'contextual art', Pierre Mertens is able to ensure that his art is anchored in society and thus makes a contribution to the public space. In projects such as 'Ruins for the future' and 'For Sale' he exploits the context of the Internet as a public space where people can intervene.
Solo Exhibitions (selection)

2006

  • 'Neon sculpture', s.l., Genk (Belgium)
  • 'Art integration', s.l., Waregem (Belgium)

2005

  • 'Tingatinga project', s.l., Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania)

2004

  • 'Ruins For the future', s.l., s.l. (Peru)

2003

  • 'For Sale', Ram Foundation, Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
  • Frame Galery, Brussel (Belgium)
  • Instituto Perunano - Alleman, Arequipa (Peru)

2001

  • 'Olympia', Plantijn College, Antwerp (Belgium)

2000

  • Courthouse, Cambrai (France)

1999

  • 'Where is art?', Niggendijcker, Groningen (The Netherlands)

1998

  • Filmmuseum, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

1996

  • 'Portraits of children', s.l., Willebroek (Belgium)

1995

  • Jacobs Jordaens house, Antwerp (Belgium)

1993

  • 'The image of Reality', s.l., Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

1992

  • 121 Art Gallery, Antwerp (Belgium)
  • Galerie M, Berlin (Germany)

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Group Exhibitions (selection)

2006

Netereotopia / Digita@l Paris/Milan/Antwerpen
Chambers d'Artiste Wommelgem (Belgium)

2005

East African biennale Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania)

2004

Ram gallery Rotterdam (The Netherlands)

1998

Where is art? Niggendijcker Groningen (The Netherlands)

1996

Musée du Petit Format MUHKA (Belgium)

1995

Der Panther Berlin (Germany)
Portraits of children Willebroek (Belgium)
Filmmuseum Amsterdam (The Netherlands)

1994

Lelijke Eendje Elzenveld (Belgium)

1993

De brakke hond Antwerpen (Belgium)

1992

Brakke grond Amsterdam(The Netherlands)
Le Cadavre Repris Berlin (Germany)
World exhibition Sevilla (Spain)

1991

Krakow (Poland)

1990

Art for Youth Belfast (Ireland)
ICC Antwerpen  (Belgium)
Alzheimertandems, Wommelgem (Belgium)
Waranda Turnhout  (Belgium)

1989

Poster happening SMAK Gent  (Belgium)
Belgian sculptures Cadier&Keer (The Netherlands) 

biblio

Tulips in No­vem­ber' about an artist, a woman with Alzheimer disease and her husband, DEDA­LUS 1991
Borgerhout , art  and photography Editor Charabang-Antwerp '93 1993
Het Lelijke Eendje' Kunst.  Art and mental disability Editor: Art&Society1994
Words' Looking for words for the birth and the dead of a child with a disability Editor The House Of Books 2001

 

Pierre Mertens

º1953, Antwerpen (B)
M: 0498/50.48.59
E: pierre.mertens@telenet.be
W: www.pierremertens.com
W: www.tinga-aids.org
Marialei 27
2900 Schoten, België

categories

artists| installation art| media art