Dierikx Gust

Gust Dierikx was a Belgian artist, born in Mechelen in 1924 and died in Keerbergen in 2019. He was a painter, draftsman, graphic artist, and sculptor. Dierikx trained at the Academy in Mechelen under the guidance of P. De Troyer and G. Reusens (1940-1946), at the Academy in Brussels, and at the Higher Institute in Antwerp under the guidance of IS. Opsomer and A. Saverijs.
Dierikx began his career in sculpture but soon discovered his calling in drawing and painting. His oeuvre focused mainly on the hardworking man, the small farmer, the chicory grower, and the asparagus picker from his surroundings. He also captured the rich village life, with themes such as the fair, the windmill, the church tower, and carnival. The fact that his father was of Zeeland origin led to numerous city, village, and port views inspired by Zeeland. He also painted Brabant landscapes, views of Provence and Brittany, portraits, and still lifes.
Dierikx used a neo-expressionist style, which is both robust and direct, and focused on color. His work Stations of the Cross is displayed in the Saint Michael's Church in Keerbergen. He was a teacher at the Academy of Mechelen from 1954 to 1984.
His works are included in the collections of the Belgian State, the universities of Leuven and Brussels, and the Episcopal Palace of Mechelen. For 20 years, some of his iconic works, such as 'The Asparagus Farmer', 'The Sower', and 'The Reaper', symbolizing the hardworking Keerbergen farmer, have been displayed in the council chamber of the Keerbergen town hall. In the church, the painted Stations of the Cross can be found.
In 1958, he married his beloved Francine and settled in a farmhouse by the Dijle in Keerbergen. Dierikx was named the first cultural laureate of the municipality of Keerbergen in 2004. As founder and long-time chairman, he was also honorary chairman of the Film and Video Club Keerpunt 65 in Keerbergen. As a filmmaker, he made films on various subjects and won the 'Belgian Film Award' with 'I am a Psychopath'.
Dierikx is mentioned in BAS II and Two Centuries of Signatures of Belgian Artists. (Piron) (BT)