JOHAN GELPER
biography | cv
photo by Giorgia Di Tria
born in 1980, in Kapellen, Belgium.
Johan Gelper is a visual artist from Ghent, Belgium. His works, often relatedto the surrounding architecture, can be assembled, disassembled and adapted totheir surroundings. He creates "dismountable spatial drawings" that transformfoundobjects such as chairs, panels and screen frames into new yet evocative forms thatplay with our perception of gravity and space. Through this exploration, organicmovement is exposed and accentuated.
Gelper changes and transforms objects we often overlook, inviting us to see them ina new light and relate to them aesthetically. Their reorganization questions the valuesociety assigns to these objects and the way they give meaning to the places andtimes we live in. Fascinated by the possibility of objects becoming something else,releasing previous associations and taking on new forms, he seeks to explore howthis transformation can lead to expanded perspectives that connect the immaterialworld to thereality of tangible objects.
More than just aestheticallypleasing, the spatial drawings enchant the eye and guideour gaze along the curves of their reusedcontours, reimagining the ordinary,creatingsomething unique. Rakes, carts, vices and furniture legs become open sculpturesthat take on a whole new life. Thedynamic compositionsof these sculpturesinvitethe viewer to explore, they take our gaze with them as they circle around oftenunpredictable bases where rakes, carts, vices and furniture legs are reused, with aconscious nod to their ordinary materiality and a playful nod to the utilitarian functiontheir parts once had.
_solo and duo exhibitions
2024
Parce / Gent BE
2024
Valerie Traan Gallery, écriture botanique / Chris Meulemans BE, Johan Gelper BE / Antwerp BE
2023
Lechbinska Gallery, Demountable spatial drawings / Zürich CH
2022
Geotropism, V/MSP Gallery / Brussel BE
2022
Studio Alcazar, Predicting the past part 3 / Yves Velter BE, Johan Gelper BE / Oostende BE
2021
Huize St. Bonaventura / Gent BE
2020
har. art gallery > Zhixin Liao (CN), Johan Gelper (BE) / Rotterdam BE
2020
D'Apostrof > Constellations with Borrowed Forms/ Meigem BE
2018
One/ Gent BE
2018
V/MSP Gallery/ Brussel BE
2018
Curiosity XLV > Constellation with Borrowed Forms/ Gent BE
2018
SECONDroom Gent > PARK 03: Christophe Malfliet BE, Johan Gelper BE/ Gent BE
2017
Open studio > Botanicals
Presentatie Botanicals, 2017 editie voor de vrienden van het S.M.A.K./ Gent BE
2017
Cc De Brouckere/ Torhout BE
2016
SB25, Salon Blanc/ Oostende BE
2016
DMW Art Space > Borrowed forms: Johan Gelper BE invites Wannes Lecompte/ Antwerpen BE
2016
Zaal 29 > Korneel Avijn BE, Johan Gelper BE/ Waregem BE
2015
V/MSP Gallery (OMS Pradhan)/ Brussel BE
2015
Curiosity/ Gent BE
2014
Curiosity/ Gent BE
2013
Marion De Cannière / Antwerpen BE
2013
Gallery EL > Guy Rombouts BE, Johan Gelper BE/ Welle BE
2012
Gasthuiskapel/ Borgloon BE
2012
Ricou Gallery/ Brussel BE
2010
Galerie EL/ Welle BE
2010
Ricou Gallery/ Brussel BE
2010
Loods12 > Tom Jooris BE, Johan Gelper BE/ Wetteren BE
2009
Marion De Cannière/ Antwerpen BE
2008
Galerie EL > Demountable Sculpturepark II/ Welle BE
2008
croxhapox > Ruimtelijke tekening > installatie en interventies > crox 257/ Gent BE
2008
Galerie EL/ Welle BE
2008
Galery EL> Steven Baelen BE, Johan Gelper BE/ Welle BE
2007
croxhapox > Kubusruimte > crox 217/ Gent BE
2005
Galerie EL > Ruimtelijke tekeningen/ Welle BE
2004
Kamer XII > Ruimtelijke tekeningen/ Sint Lucas Hogeschool voor Wetenschap en Kunst, Gent BE
_awards, nominations, grants.
2024
Tegemoetkoming Internationaal Presentatiemoment, Belichtungsmesser 1, Biennale am Main /
Symbiose > Kunstforum Mainturm, Flörsheim am Main, DE (cat.)
2023
Tegemoetkoming Internationaal Presentatiemoment,
Solotentoonstelling Lechbinska Gallery, Zürich CH 2022
2011
Ontwikkelingsgerichte beurs van de Vlaamse gemeenschap 2011
2008
Young Ones Award, Lineart 2008
2008
Prijs Young Artists 2008 (S.M.A.K., Gent)
2007
Nominatiepremie, Provinciale Prijs Beeldende Kunst 2007 (Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen)
2007
Prijs Young Artists 2007 (S.M.A.K., Gent)
2006
Prijs Charles de Leu (K.A.S.K., Gent)
_collections
S.M.A.K., Gent BE
Werken aangekocht n.a.v. Young Artists (selected by) 2007 and 2008:
"Shed" (2007)
"Wind Simulation" (2007)
"Organisch vierkant" (2007)
"65°"(2007)
"Constructie" (2007)
Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke BE
Collectie collages:
"Reversible" (2008)
"Constructed living organism" (2008)
SONS Museum (shoes or no shoes), Kruishoutem BE
"Shift" (2007)
Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen, Gent, Belgium
Werken aangekocht n.a.v. de Provinciale Prijs Oost Vlaanderen, 2008 (nominatie premie)
"Botanical Sculpture" (2006)
"Random Movement" (2006)
"Inside Out" (2006)
"Botanical" (2007)
"Botanical" (2007)
Frans Masereel Centrum, Kasterlee BE
"Botanical" (2014)
Collectie van de stad Waregem BE
"Botanical" (2008)
MErode, Ronse, Belgium
"Spatial shading" (2023)
Cloud Seven, Brussels, Belgium
“Botanical” (2014)
_selections
2008
Giga case, Lineart Gent (Young ones award)
Curatoren: Philippe Van Cauteren en Piere Muyle (S.M.A.K)
2007
The Drawing Center, Viewing Program, New York
_publications
2017
Video by Svend Thomsen: Een ateliergesprek met Johan Gelper, TVF
2008
Video by Svend Thomsen: Johan Gelper “Dismountable drawing” 52 min. Loop, TVF
2008
Giga C. Boek, MER. Paper Kunsthalle voor Lineart, 2008, Gent, België
2008
Steven Baelen – Johan Gelper (laserprint), Galerie EL vzw, 2008, Welle, België
_group exhibitions
2024
Zomertentoonstelling > Galerie Pinsart, Bruges, BE
2024
Belichtungsmesser 1, Biennale am Main / Symbiose > Kunstforum Mainturm,
Flörsheim am Main, DE (cat.)
2023
Parce initiative > Parce,Gent BE
2023
Future present continuous > Eva Steynen.Deviation(s) gallery, Antwerp BE
2023
Confrontaties IV > Ambassador & Zonta Club Tielt, curator: Frans Vercoutere, Meulebeke BE
(cat.)
2023
Because every house tells a story, > Collection Das Dingenen, Duffel BE
2023
Walking on thin ince (een archivering van een tijdspanne) > cas ruimte, curator Lieven Cateau,
Zottegem BE
2023
Serendipiteit > Academie Harelbeke Anders, curator Xavier Marescaux, Harelbeke BE
2023
Lightness > CC De Ververij, curator Bart Van De Vijvere, Ronse BE
2023
A PRO POT > D'apostrof, curator Trees De Mits, Meigem BE
2022
tout est nouveau sous la lune > Galerie Van Caelenbergh, Aalst BE
2022
Onbelast > Oud financiëngebouw / Diksmuide BE
2022
art au centre > curator Sandrine Bouillon / Luik BE
2022
Duets > CC De Steiger & Stadsmuseum / Menen BE
2022
Keile contemporary > curator Harald van der Sluys / Rotterdam BE
2021
Tortilla Flat > M12 / Ronse BE
2021
Belgium Art and Design Fair > met V/MSP Gallery/ Floraliënhal, Gent BE
2021
Kasteeldomein De Cellen > Art@work > Curator Benedict Vandaele/ Oostkamp BE (cat.)
2021
Kasteel van Poeke > b20/ Aalter BE (cat.)
2021
CC Zwanenberg > Das – Dingenen/ Heist-op-den-Berg BE
2021
Composte 2021/ Steenhuize (Herzele) BE
2021
Hof ter Saksen > Zweefkracht en zwaartevlucht > Curator: Edith Ronse/ Beveren BE (cat.)
2020
Jakob Smits Museum > Mono- come up and see my prints! > Curator: Tom Liekens/ Mol BE (cat.)
2020
Galerie Van Caelenbergh > Desire for a Dream/ Aalst BE (cat.)
2020
PHOEBUS•Rotterdam > Ladekastproject/ Rotterdam NL
2020
PARCE Art Initiative / Sint-Amanduskapel > Unravelings / Gent BE (cat.)
2020
CAS contemporary art space > Star trac K/ Zottegem BE
2020
Ballroom project 2 > met DMW Art Space/ Antwerpen BE
2019
Art au jardin > With V/MSP Gallery > Curator: Aude de Bourbon Parme/ Esquelbecq FR
2019
Ambassador & Zonta Club Tielt > Confrontaties III
> Curator: Frans Vercoutere / Meulebeke BE (cat.)
2019
Frans Masereel Centrum > Print Art Fair/ Kasterlee BE
2019
Pekfabriek > Ballroom project > met Twelve Twelve Gallery
> Curator: Yirka De Brucker / Antwerpen BE
2019
SABK Zottegem > Loss, kunstenfestival/ Zottegem BE
2019
Vierkante zaal > Tekening (disegno)/ Sint-Niklaas BE (cat.)
2019
Loods 12 > The Fast Show/ Wetteren BE
2018
Galerie-NZ > Constructor Curatoren: Luc Hoekx en Arjan Janssen/ Arendonk BE
2018
Kunstencentrum Ten Bogaerde > Op de grond, tussenin of aan de hemel
> Curator: Els Wuyts/ Koksijde BE
2018
Stoom > Harry & Friends > Curator: Harlinde De Mol/ Oudenaarde BE
2018
Kunstnetwerk Haspengouw/ Art Borgloon > Art Pop Pop Art/ Kunstenfestival
> Curator: Jos Herk/ Borgloon BE
2018
RAW > Curator: Lieven Cateau/ Mechelen (Boortmeerbeek) BE
2018
DMW Artspace > 2 years DMW Artspace/ Antwerpen, BE
2018
CWART > Abstract Connections > Curator Kristof Van Gestel/ Knokke-Heist BE (cat.)
2018
Stedelijke Kunstacademie Tielt > Onvoorziene Omstandigheden > Curator Tuur Delodder/ Tielt BE
2018
BAD Belgium Art and Design > Curator: Daan Rau > solo met V/MSP Gallery/ Gent BE
2018
BAD Belgium Art and Design > Cross-overplatform/ Where Art meets Design
Curatoren: Daan Rau en Siegrid Demyttenaere/ Gent BE
2018
Twelve twelve gallery > ‘LE SUD’ (50° 38' 28'' N, 4° 40' 5'' E)
> Curator: Gert Scheerlinck / Den Haag NL
2017
Yugen Kombucha > Yügen#02 Art > Curator Jan Hoet Junior/ Gent BE
2017
D'Apostrof > Anybody home? / Deinze (Meigem) BE
2017
Rasa > Kunstkussen/ Antwerpen BE (cat.)
2017
Kazematten Menen > Bastion 10 > Curator: Philippe Van Couteren/ Menen BE (cat.)
2017
ING Art Center > Poppositions > DMW Artspace/ Brussel BE
2016 Vincent Van Gogh huis > Symposium & Veiling Van Gogh
(Artist-in-residence Landkunst op de Buissche Heide)/ Zundert NL (cat.)
2016
D'Apostrof > V E R W A N D/ Deinze (Meigem) BE
2016
DMW Art Space > GOGOGOGO/ Antwerpen BE
2016
Vierkante Zaal > La Primavera/ Sint - Niklaas BE
2015
Kunstnetwerk Haspengouw/ Art Borgloon > Actueel Kunsten Festival / Borgloon BE
2015
Vincent Van Gogh huis > Landkunst op de Buisse Heide/ Zundert NL
2015
Chocoladefabriek > Before the foodfight / Tongeren BE
2015
M Museum > Attitudes to Form, Open M/ Leuven BE (cat.)
2015
Ahoy > No Walls Expo at North Sea Jazz/ Rotterdam NL
2015
Canal Wharf > Poppositions > OMS Pradhan Brussel BE
2015
Frans Masereel Centrum > Zelden ontgaat verbeelding haar eerste druk
> Print Art Fair/ Kasterlee BE
2015
Fenixloods > No Walls/ Rotterdam NL
2014
D'Apostrof > Tussen/ Deinze (Meigem) BE
2014
Kasteel, Provinciaal Domein Nieuwenhoven > Biodiversiteit Nieuwenhoven/ Sint-Truiden BE
2014
Ricou Gallery > Showroom/ Brussel BE
2014
Rasa > Art Brussels/ Brussel BE (cat.)
2014
Villa De Olmen > Separation of concerns > curator Olivier Deprez /Wieze BE
2014
Frans Masereel Centrum > Print Art Fair/ Kasterlee BE
2013
Maison de ventes Cornette de Saint Cyr > Contemporary Art in Belgium Brussel BE (cat.)
2013
Boetzelaer/Nispen & Jeanine Hofland Contemporary Art > A petite fair
> Capital A - Amsterdam Art Weekend met Ricou Gallery/ Amsterdam NL
2013
Jan Colle Gallery/ Entrepot Fictief > TEKEN > Curatoren: Jan Colle, Julie Crenn / Gent BE (cat.)
2013
RASCHE RIPKEN BERLIN > 4 aus belgien / Berlijn DE
2013
SECONDroom > John Van Oers & Roeland Tweelinckx invite/ Antwerpen BE
2013
Art Brussels > Ricou Gallery/ Brussel BE (cat.)
2013
Rasa > Kunst op pootjes > Mu.zee, Oostende (Museum voor moderne kunst)/ Oostende BE
2013
SCHUNK > Rasa > Kunst op pootjes/ Heerlen NL
2012
Mu.zee, Ostende (Museum voor modern kunst) > Raak > Rasa/ Oostende BE
2012
Rasa > Kunst op pootjes/ Antwerpen BE
2012
Gallery EL > Thread - part two/ Welle BE
2012
Art Brussels > Ricou Gallery/ Brussel BE (cat.)
2012
SCHUNK > Raak > Rasa/ Heerlen NL
2012
Z33 > Raak > Rasa/ Hasselt BE
2011
S.M.A.K. > Raak > Rasa, Gent BE
2011
De Lading > Curator Lieven Cateau > Wetteren BE
2011
Sint Lucas Bibliotheek > Translating Practices > curator Lieve Dehasque / Gent BE
2011
Van stof tot asse > Triënnale van hedendaagse kunst/ Asse BE (cat.)
2011
Art in the city / Brussel BE (cat.)
2011
Art Brussels > Ricou Gallery/ Brussel BE (cat.)
2010
Mu.zee, Ostende (Museum voor modern kunst) > Public Private Paintings / Oostende BE (cat.)
2010
Marion De Cannière > Basement/ Antwerpen BE
2010
CIAP > Between the Sacred and the Profane > Curator: Peter Pollers/ Hasselt BE
2010
HISK > Translating Practices > curator Lieve Dehasque > Gent BE/ Brussel, BE
2009
S.M.A.K. > Sculptural / Collectie, nieuwe aanwinsten / Gent BE
2009
Orde - Chaos > Klein Begijnhof / Mechelen BE
2009
MSK Gent > Tais-toi soiree belle > Amusez Vous in het MSK / Gent BE
2009
Campo Santo Kapel > De connectie > Curator: Lieven Cateau / Gent BE
2008
Grote prijs tekenkunst van de stad Ronse > Visions: 40 years drawing contest, Ronse
> Curator Jan Leconte / Ronse BE
2008
Circulation/ Movinn-art > Curator Sarah / Brugge BE (cat.)
2008
Lineart > Young Ones Award, Ghent / Giga C.
> Curatoren: Philippe Van Cauteren en Pierre Muyle / Gent BE (cat.)
2008
Lineart > Galerie EL
> B-new Gallery selected by Hans Martens (HISK) en Flor Bex (MUHKA) / Gent, BE (cat.)
2008
Palmarium (S.M.A.K.) > Plantentuin U Gent > Young Artists (selected by) Kathrin Ginsberg
Gent BE (cat.)
2008
Caermersklooster > Omgevingstekenen > Provinciale prijs Oost-Vlaanderen
> Curator Edith Doove/ Gent BE (cat.)
2007
Brouwerij De Keyser 39ste prijs tekenkunst van de stad Ronse
2007
Palmarium (S.M.A.K.) > Plantentuin U Gent > Young Artists (selected by) Dirk Pauwels
Gent BE (cat.)
2007
Handelsbeurs > Elia, 9th Elia Biënnial Conference/ Gent BE (cat.)
2006
VUB > Out of control/ Brussel BE (cat.)
2006
Jan Colle Galerij > Fris IV/ Gent BE
2006
KASK > Wel klaar maar nog lang niet af, Mixed Media / Gent BE
2005
Art Track (KASK) Mixed Media 2D/ Gent BE
2005
Palmarium (S.M.A.K.) > Plantentuin U Gent
> Young Artists (selected by) Philippe Van Cauteren / Gent BE (cat.)
2004
Leopoldskazerne > Leopold/ Gent BE (cat.)
2004
Accec site > Eindejaarstentoonstelling Sint Lucas 2004 > Curator Dirk Manesse / Gent BE (cat.)