Jan Fabre
about
‘I am a servant of beauty.’
Jan Fabre (b. 1958, Antwerp) is regarded both in Belgium and abroad as one of the most innovative and versatile personalities in the contemporary international art scene. With a career spanning over 40 years, Jan Fabre has left an indelible mark as a visual artist, theater artist, and writer. Fabre labels himself a consilience artist, merging elements from different disciplines guided by fact-based theory and practice across disciplines. Through this interdisciplinary approach, he continually offers fresh interpretations while creating an intensely personal visual oeuvre; a unique and coherent universe with recurring symbols and motifs.
Whilst studying in Antwerp at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Municipal Institute for Decorative Arts and Crafts, Fabre developed a profound love of beauty and its spiritual power. Curious by nature and influenced by the manuscripts of the entomologist Jean-Henri Fabre (1823-1915), Jan Fabre became fascinated by the world of insects at a young age. The dynamic between humans and animals is central to Jan Fabre’s work, reflecting a continual exploration of metamorphosis. His fascination with the body is evident in his personal actions and performances spanning from 1976 to the present.
Fabre achieved the distinction of being the first contemporary artist to hold solo exhibitions at prestigious institutions like the Louvre Museum in Paris (2008) and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg (2017). Jan Fabre’s artistic reach extends beyond traditional gallery spaces; integrating artworks into various public locations including ‘The Man Who Measures the Clouds’ (1998), which can be seen at various sites in Europa and Asia. Other public works include the Royal Palace (2002), the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts in Brussels (2013), the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp (2015), and the Antwerp St. Augustine’s Church/AMUZ (2018), with many more installed around the world.
Jan Fabre’s latest permanent installations grace Naples, Italy. In 2019, he installed four red coral sculptures to the chapel of Pio Monte della Misericordia, alongside Caravaggio’s works. Continuing his legacy, Fabre contributed two more coral masterpieces in 2023 to Naples’ Real Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro and the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco.
Fabre, known for his work in visual and theatre arts, is also acclaimed as an author. His extensive collection of theatre texts is a staple for directors, academics, and performers. Through initiatives like the Jan Fabre Teaching Group, he spreads his performing techniques, including ‘physiological acting’, worldwide. His ‘Night Diaries’, published in multiple languages, chronicle his daily thoughts and poetic reflections.
Jan Fabre’s artistic research and practice is fueled from ancient Greek mythology, philosophy and theatre. Since Greek mythology and philosophy are cornerstones of his inspiration, he has been presenting his multifaceted work in the visual and performing arts, as well as in publishing, in Greece regularly since the 1990s.
artworks
