GUILLAUME LEUNENS, FLEMISH ARTIST PAINTER
Biography
Born in Hal, Belgium, in 1914.
He starts working at the age of 15, but is already an
artist with all his heart.
He works at a foundry, with metal and bronze.
Meanwhile, he devotes himself to painting and personal
experiences.
In 1930, he begins to follow all avant-garde artistic
manifestations.
Among others, he admires Permeke and van den Berghe.
Even during his time as a prisoner at a concentration
camp during World War II, he keeps his dream alive each time he finds paper
and a pencil.
Starting out from Flemish expressionism, he evolves to
abstract art and his encounter with Servranckx makes him discover his own
way.
In 1948, he starts exhibiting his work.
Short period of studies at the "Académie des Beaux-Arts"
in Brussels. He is mostly a self-taught artist.
In 1956, he exhibits in Spain ( Barcelona, Valencia,
Madrid, Palma).
Since 1957, he resides in Paris. Cottage in Ardèche
(France).
In 1960, he starts experimenting with metal, being convinced
that our era needs its own pictorial means.
Numerous trips within Europe, the United States and Canada.
He is invited by the French government to the World Exposition
in Montreal.
In 1969, he is invited by the group E.A.T.(Experiments
in Art and Technology), founded in the United States by Billy Klüver
and Rauschenberg. At the same time, he exhibits in Brooklyn and at the
Museum of Modern Art in New York.
In 1973, Guillaume Leunens' exhibition of his art collection
at the Cultural Center of the Province of Antwerp is acknowledged by the
B.A.A.C. (Belgian Association of Art Critics) as the best exhibition of
the month.
In 1975, Guillaume Leunens participates in the "Biennale
de la critique d'art", first at the "Palais des Beaux-Arts de Charleroi"
(March-April) then at the "Abbaye Saint-Pierre " in Ghent (May - June).
In 1984-1985, he exhibits for the Flemish "Les Beaux-Arts"
commission.
Guillaume Leunens dies in 1990.
metal on metal Blannser 37" x 62"
victor.leunens@leunens.ca
