Metten Philip

Philip Metten is a Belgian artist who was born in Genk in 1977. He is a visual artist and sculptor. Graphics training at the Academy in Antwerp, 3D multimedia at the Academy in Ghent; laureate of the Hoger Instituut in Antwerp in 2003. He designs spatial objects based on ordinary objects that are removed from their everyday banality and context and immediately acquire a timeless character. Exhibited in the gallery De Zwarte Panter in Antwerp in 2000, in the gallery Annette De Keyser in Antwerp in 2004. From the press: 'He shows monumental polyester images that demand attention because of their form and content that are both old and is new. Just as the prehistoric Venus of Willendorf is one of the oldest fertility symbols, the imposing figures of P.M. about as archaeological relics from a distant future.' (Ludo Raskin in A century of visual art in Limburg, 2004). Was invited for an in situ presentation in the Kunst Nu space in the S.M.A.K. in Ghent in 2006/2007. From the press at the time: 'Metten's work originates from graffiti art, the art of the street. He uses photos of gags as the basic material for his impressive sculptures and installations, which he cut up and pasted into quasi-abstract, ethnic-looking motifs in bright colours. In this way he makes an interesting connection between contemporary street art and primitive (animistic) religious art forms in his sculptures. The strong religious and at the same time flashy underground appeal that emanates from his images, in principle, has the same origin. After all, both worlds were created to give meaning to the lives of (groups of) people, and to stimulate a kind of sense of belonging. P.M. continues this line in his art' and 'P.M. has conceived and constructed a new kind of sculptures or three-dimensional signs on the basis of graffiti, which are indeed often monumental works with sometimes a somewhat gothic allure. He takes photos of these tags, cuts them up and turns them into single motifs that are spatially developed or unfolded. They are imposing signals, creatures that have an almost baroque feel, something that is reminiscent of folk art or complex ritual objects.' (H.B., 2006) (Piron)