FRANK VAN HIEL

Frank Van Hiel’s work features distinctive shapes, clean lines, an elegance in its selective colors and a contrast in its textures. The artist uses different paints within each composition: some forms are painted in a deep black acrylic, others are filled-in with graphite, while the rest is coated with vinyl or lacquer paint. The diversity gives Frank Van Hiel’s work its depth: when stepping-in close to a painting, one notices the horizontal lines of the brush versus the sooth grain of its backgrounds. These backgrounds, or this void, are often Frank Van Hiel’s starting point, from which a dialogue between form and color comes fill the frame and inhabit the emptiness. The clean-cut geometric abstraction however bears the mark of Frank Van Hiel’s hand: with pencil marks, gritty backdrops, a bare frame, and visible brushstrokes, the finesse of his paintings is roughened and endowed with a nuanced warmth. In that sense, the ‘industrial’ nature of the work gains its subtle poesy. Frank Van Hiel captures negative-space, faint shadows and the essence of his paints through a refined and predetermined abstraction.

Frank Van Hiel. Born in 1980 in Belgium. Lives and works in Gent

Solo exhibitions: 2023 Solo, Rossicontemporary, Brussels 2021 Recent Werk, Galerie De Ziener, Asse 2020 Solo, Rossicontemporary, Brussels 2019 Touching the void, Galerie De Ziener, Asse 2016 In den bouw, Kalken 2015 Solo, Galerie De Ziener, Asse; Solo, Galerie Hein Elferink, Staphorst NL 2012 Solo, Galerie De Ziener, Asse; Raakvlakken, Galerie De Vos, Aalst 2010 Solo, Huize St Bonaventura, Gent

Group exhibitions: 2022 Intermezzo, Rossicontemporary, Brussels; Gegroet Julien Coulommier, Galerie De Ziener, Asse 2021 Made in Belgium, Galerie Ruimte P60, Assen 2018 Een groep, Galerie De Ziener, Asse; d’Academie pakt uit, Sint-Niklaas; 3, Galerie D’apostrof, Meigem 2017 It works on paper, Galerie Kristof De Klercq, Gent; Veiling i.s.w.m. universiteit Gent, S.M.A.K. 2016 Voorstelling premie editie, Galerie De Ziener, Asse; 30 jaar De Ziener, De markten, Brussel; Benefiet internetveiling, Deurle (i.s.m. galerie ‘Kristof De Clercq’), Museum Dhond-Dhaenens; Die van Aalst, Kunstplatform Zebrastraat, Gent 2015 Amsterdam Drawing, ndsm-werf, Amsterdam-Noord; Re-view, CC Hasselt, Hasselt 2014 Abstract boven, Quai des arts, Gent; Summertime, Galerie Kristof De Clercq, Gent; Al mijn vrienden zijn wetenschappers, Cultuurpunt Altena-kapel, Kontich ; B-1, Galerie Hein Elferink, Staphorst; Een groep, Galerie De Ziener, Asse; No work today, Villa Nederloo, Vlezenbeek; Weerklank, CC Hasselt, Hasselt; RAW Art Fair, Rotterdam 2013 Teken, Galerie Jan Colle, Gent; Objects of affection, Villa De Olmen, Wieze; Duo, Galerie Hein Elferink, Staphorst NL; Works to follow, Le Routier, Gent; Retrospectie, Galerie De Vos, Aalst; Focus op 4, SASK, Sint-Niklaas; 4 abstract, BAVART, Gent 2012 De Canvascollectie, BOZAR, Brussel 2011 Een groep, Galerie De Ziener, Asse; Fragiel, CC Hasselt, Asse 2010 Werken in gesprek, Villa De Olmen, Wieze 2009 Küf/Mold, Kunstroute, Rotterdam 2008 One?, SASK, Sint-Niklaas; Fresh, Stadhuis, Gorinchem NL 2007 La Pommerie, Saint-Setiers FR; Pure Peinture, Galerie Montanus, Diksmuide; Getekend, SASK, Sint-Niklaas 2006 Klein werk, Galerie Jan Colle, Gent; Prijs van het landschap Michel Depypere, Hoeve Vandewalle, Kuurne 2005 Pure Peinture, Galerie Montanus, Diksmuide 2004 Prijs van het landschap Michel Depypere, Hoeve Vandewalle, Kuurne 2002 Prijs van het landschap Michel Depypere, Hoeve Vandewalle, Kuurne