Paul Vanhee
Paul Vanhee, born in the heart of West Flanders in Tielt on August 23, 1947, is an artist who has come to his craft not through traditional schooling, but through the raw experiences of life itself. His expressive human figures are the unmistakable hallmark of a self-taught master, whose works pulse with untamable energy.
From his apartment and studio in Hulste, a stone's throw from the bustle of Kortrijk, Vanhee draws lines that rebel against the everyday silence. His canvas becomes the battleground where paint comes to life in a fight as adventurous as it is deeply personal. Vanhee's brushstroke is a delicate dance between control and chaos, where each detail is carefully weighed.
It's this attention to detail that gives his works their undeniable depth, whether it's through angular precision or the soft flow of lines. Colors are sometimes muted in dark tones, then bursting forth in a symphony of colors. With tools as diverse as a brush, a potato knife, or even his bare fingers, Vanhee expresses a palette of emotions that leave the viewer far from indifferent.
The figures Vanhee crafts are in search of balance; they find rest or remain forever restless. Behind their robust contours unfolds a universal story of being and coexisting. His fascination with people is evident and permeates his entire oeuvre with a profound humanity.
Perhaps most characteristic are the eyes he paints onto the canvas, windows to the soul that in their simplicity reveal a world of feelings and stories. With a raw stroke and an explosion of color, Vanhee brings faces to life that, in their vulnerability, find a universal resonance.
At Art Gallery Vandevoorde, the artworks of Paul Vanhee are given a place of honor. Here, where art comes home, visitors are invited to partake in a dialogue with the work, a conversation not held with words, but with the heart. Each piece is an invitation to explore the complexity and beauty of human existence, guided by the hand of an artist who celebrates his love for people with every brushstroke.
