Nature morte with broken necklace by Jan De Cock, created in 2013, is a mixed media sculpture that combines wood, chipboard, clay, plaster, paint, high-pressure laminate, jute, metal, glass, and beans. The piece is presented as a tall, cylindrical structure, mounted on a square platform, with a soft white palette that accentuates its minimalist aesthetic. At the top of the column-like base, an arrangement of objects includes a vessel and what appears to be fragments of a necklace, broken and casually draped. The restrained color scheme and diverse materials create a sense of fragility and contemplation, while the broken necklace suggests themes of impermanence, memory, and the passage of time. De Cock’s work often explores the intersections of form, function, and symbolism, inviting viewers to reflect on the transient nature of material possessions and their meanings.
Jan De Cock (Belgium, 1976) is a contemporary visual artist known for his large-scale, site-specific installations that explore the relationship between art, architecture, and space. His work often references modernist aesthetics and challenges traditional notions of sculpture. De Cock founded The Brussels Art_ Institute, a multidisciplinary workspace fostering collaboration between artists and educational institutions.
Mixed MediaMixed media refers to artwork that incorporates more than one medium within a single piece. Unlike multimedia art, which combines distinct forms of visual art and often includes elements like sound, video, or digital media, mixed media focuses on combining traditional art materials, such as paint, ink, and collage. Mixed media art allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects and textures by layering and blending different materials.
Nature morte with broken necklace by Jan De Cock, created in 2013, is a mixed media sculpture that combines wood, chipboard, clay, plaster, paint, high-pressure laminate, jute, metal, glass, and beans. The piece is presented as a tall, cylindrical structure, mounted on a square platform, with a soft white palette that accentuates its minimalist aesthetic. At the top of the column-like base, an arrangement of objects includes a vessel and what appears to be fragments of a necklace, broken and casually draped. The restrained color scheme and diverse materials create a sense of fragility and contemplation, while the broken necklace suggests themes of impermanence, memory, and the passage of time. De Cock’s work often explores the intersections of form, function, and symbolism, inviting viewers to reflect on the transient nature of material possessions and their meanings.
Jan De Cock (Belgium, 1976) is a contemporary visual artist known for his large-scale, site-specific installations that explore the relationship between art, architecture, and space. His work often references modernist aesthetics and challenges traditional notions of sculpture. De Cock founded The Brussels Art_ Institute, a multidisciplinary workspace fostering collaboration between artists and educational institutions.
To me, Modernism is the most important period in art history.
- Jan De Cock
As a visual artist, Jan De Cock creates installations where the creation itself is part of the exhibition. Many of his works include performance and feature his own photography. He uses 20th century abstract art techniques to explore the effects of modern design and mass production on the world of art. A number of his works use the word Denkmal in the title, which means “monument” in German. However in his native language of Dutch, Denkmal has a different meaning: denk “to think” and mal “to mold”. Therefore his works are said to spark different ways to think and look at his subjects instead of having a singular meaning. Jan De Cock is considered a modernist artist, and his works explore the ways an artist can relate to the modernist approach. He lives and works in Belgium where he is only the second Belgian artist to present an exhibition at the Tate Modern in London. (Artist website)
Sometimes referred to as Conceptualism, this is an art form where the idea(s) or concept(s) behind the work take precedence over material concerns and traditional aesthetics. Many conceptual artworks can be created by anyone simply by following written instructions. The concept or idea is the most essential aspect of the artwork.