Heeremans Karl

Karl Heeremans (Liedekerke 1937–2010 Liedekerke) · Painter, watercolorist, draftsman, creator of collages, and graphic artist. He led an uncertain yet adventurous and colorful life as an artist in Düsseldorf and later in Paris, where he encountered figures such as Picasso and Chagall. From 1960 to 1964, he took private lessons from Albert Saverys. In 1967, he earned a doctorate in medicine and built a career as a physician, yet he never abandoned his pursuit of watercolor and, later, acrylic painting.

From the press: ‘Recurring patterns in his figures—most notably the heads of couples (often bridal pairs)—incorporate collages of musical scores, texts, and even graffiti, serving as a counterpoint to body parts rendered with highly expressive, at times tormented, expressions’ (1989); ‘His work belongs to the realm of magical realism, rooted in a Cubist undertone and characterized by a subtle, distinctly Flemish palette’ (1990); ‘K.H. is the finest tonalist I can identify in Belgium since Gust De Smet’ (Em. Langui); and finally: ‘K.H. paints simple subjects—flowers, seascapes, and, above all, couples—with a lyrical quality; two figures side by side, rendered in warm, vibrant colors that are truly uplifting. Even a gouache titled Angst (Fear) possesses an inherent warmth.’ ‘These are not expressionistic celebrations of fear and pain, such as those of Paul Van Ostaijen; on the contrary, they are joyful feasts for the eye.’ (D. Martens, 2007)

Recipient of an award at the Anto Carte Prize and the Grand International Prize of Deauville in 1968. A retrospective was held at the Museum Oud Hospitaal in Aalst in 1978. Several works are housed in the town hall of Liedekerke. Bibliography: Karl Heeremans, Feesten van kleur en leven [Celebrations of Colour and Life] (Frans Boenders et al., published by Die Keure, Bruges, 2007). Listed in BAS 1 and Twee eeuwen signaturen van Belgische kunstenaars [Two Centuries of Signatures by Belgian Artists]. (Piron)