Kasper Bosmans

From his studios in Brussels and Amsterdam, Kasper Bosmans is creating a versatile oeuvre in which he functions as a visual archaeologist. He collects stories, historical facts and cultural traditions, breaking them down and reweaving their parts into his own personal mythology. Bosmans draws inspiration from a wide range of sources: from historical archives and folklore to the lives of the saints, internet gossip and political history. In what he calls ‘medleys’, he blurs the boundaries between high and low culture, between past and present, and demonstrates how a fresh perspective on history can make us see current events in a new light.

A key aspect of his work is the Legend Paintings: small, brightly coloured gouaches on wooden panels. These works have a stylised aesthetic reminiscent of medieval manuscripts, folk art or heraldry. They are full of pictograms, which Bosmans refers to as legends. The abstract forms and icons – things like tools and flowers – conceal a complex network of social and cultural references. Each Legend tells a specific story in abstract form. Within an exhibition, these panels function as a visual alphabet, offering a key for deciphering the larger minimalist installation.

Bosmans combines conceptual depth with humour and a love of craftsmanship. He works with symbolically-charged materials such as glass, bronze and textile, often made in cooperation with craftsmen whose ideas sometimes become part of the finished work. His work is subtly political and incorporates a critical, queer perspective (See Boy Butter and Bird Nose Count). By connecting forgotten histories with current themes, he brings together different worlds to create puzzle-like works that invite the viewer to look more closely and take the time to decipher them.