Jan Fabre (Belgium, 1958) is a multidisciplinary artist blending theater, sculpture, and performance. Known for his provocative works, he often incorporates unconventional materials like beetle wings and blood, exploring themes of transformation, mortality, and the human body.
BronzeBronze is a metal alloy made primarily of copper and tin, with a typical modern composition of 88% copper and 12% tin. Over time, bronze develops a patina, a surface color that often turns deep green due to oxidation. Large bronze objects, such as sculptures, are typically made in foundries. Bronze is valued for its durability and has been widely used throughout history for art, tools, and weapons.
Jan Fabre (Belgium, 1958) is a multidisciplinary artist blending theater, sculpture, and performance. Known for his provocative works, he often incorporates unconventional materials like beetle wings and blood, exploring themes of transformation, mortality, and the human body.
I have a space for myself. No one comes in. No press, no curators, no gallerists.
- Jan Fabre
Renowned for his Bic ball-point pen drawings and ornate sculptures, Jan Fabre is a multi-faceted artist with works spanning across such mediums as sculpture, stage design and choreography. Heaven of Delight is perhaps one of his most notable works – for this piece, Fabre assembled around 1.4 million Jewel Beetle shells in various patterns to adorn the ceiling of Palais Royal in Brussels; Fabre has stated that he has always been fascinated by Jewel Beetles, admiring them for their ‘beauty, memory and ability to process information’. Fabre uses a wide range of unorthodox materials including blood, tears, bones and taxidermied animals; his works attempt to explore the relationships between science and art, and often challenge ‘impossible’ feats – The Man Who Measures the Clouds is just one among many works that deals with the notion of the impossible. (Artist website)
Shock Art is an art movement that uses disturbing images, scents, or sounds to provoke a strong, often shocked, reaction from viewers. It is often regarded as a form of social commentary, with critics and supporters debating whether its impact is positive or negative. Shock Art frequently employs taboo, obscene, or outrageous elements to challenge societal norms and provoke critical thought.