Stremes Jan

Jan Stremes is a Belgian artist, born in Sint-Niklaas on November 6, 1963. He completed his primary education at the Sint-Franciscus Lagere Oefenschool in Sint-Niklaas, first in the neighborhood division (1969-1973) and then in the main school (1973-1975). He continued his studies at the secondary department (Human Sciences) of the Normaalschool (1975-1981).  After his secondary studies, he pursued his education at Sint-Lucas in Ghent, where he studied Free Graphic Arts. Today, he is a teacher of KSO (Art Secondary Education) at Sint-Lucas in Antwerp.  Originally, Stremes worked in free graphics, but around 1996 he evolved as an artist towards painting. Since 2000, he has participated annually in one or more group exhibitions in places such as Drongen, Berchem, Sint-Niklaas, Bornem, Hamme, Munte, Hasselt, Temse, Beveren, Assenede, and Ghent. Stremes' work features several recurring themes that have been present since his youth: religion, folk history, war, sexuality, and irony. Despite the weight of these subjects, he does not take a definitive stance. He does not delve deeply into each theme but approaches them subtly, like an instigator with a touch of innocence. His work combines humor and poetry, creating a unique balance between seriousness and lightness.  (BT)