Van Eyck Paul

Paul Van Eyck was a Belgian artist, born in Niel in 1949 and died in Rumst in 2009. He was a draftsman, graphic artist, painter and ceramist. He was educated at the Academy in Mechelen, under the supervision of Fr. Van Den Brande, Leo Bosselaers and G. Reusens (1967-1970). Then at the Academy and at the National Higher Institute in Antwerp, under the supervision of J. Henderickx and R. de Coninck. He found his inspiration in the woman and the child, and later also in his inner world of feeling. His works appear monumental and a sublime graphic play of light and dark always stands out. From the press: "P. Van Eyck's drawings are intimate scenes in which it is safe for the extras. They find themselves far from the harsh world, in a homely cocoon, which the artist, but undoubtedly also the father and husband, has woven around them' and 'Some time ago the graphic work of P.V.E. has taken a new turn and instead of looking around, he starts looking within himself. Images emerge from the twilight zone of memory and half-consciousness that contrast sharply with the earlier work in terms of content and form. Where he was originally the detached observer of reality, he himself has now become part of the image and manifests himself more clearly. Starting from unconscious scribbles and supplemented with shapes, inspired by his own experiences of various origins, powerful prints full of movement are created. -Frieden'- Prize for graphics in 1969, the Prize 'Mrs. Lux' for graphics in 1971, the 'Lions Boom' Prize for graphics in 1978, an honorable mention 'Lions Antwerp' for graphics in 1980 and the Prize for Plastic Arts of the city of Mechelen in 1990. In 1973 he became a teacher of graphics at the Academy in Louvain. It is listed in BASII and Two Centuries of Signatures of Belgian Artists. (Piron, B. Topper)