Arnaud Maere - AM - °1992 Belgium
|| Conceptual art, 11 works per series ||
SUGAR RUSH
2024
X = {SUGAR or COCAINE} is a widely consumed substance known for its powerful, addictive properties. When consumed, it provides a rapid boost of energy and feelings of pleasure or euphoria, often leading to a sense of heightened alertness and satisfaction. The addictive nature of X is rooted in its ability to stimulate the brain’s reward system, releasing chemicals that trigger feelings of pleasure. Over time, the brain starts to crave X more intensely, leading to overconsumption and a stronger reliance on it for short-term mood elevation. The widespread consumption of X has resulted in a global industry dedicated to its production and distribution, despite its negative health impacts. This ubiquity has made X a central part of many cultures, where it is not only accepted but often encouraged, further fueling its addictive grip on society. Efforts to reduce the consumption of X have faced significant challenges, both from the individuals who have developed a dependency on it and from industries that profit immensely from its widespread use. Despite growing awareness of its health risks, the addictive nature of X makes it difficult for people to cut back or quit, and it continues to play a dominant role in both personal habits and global markets. Ultimately, X's addictive properties, coupled with its deep entrenchment in society, have made it one of the most consumed—and problematic—substances in the world. - Each piece in this series contains a mixture of sugar and cocaine. This reflects similarities of both substances regarding their impact on health, addiction and economy as well as their shared use as ingredients in the history of Coca-Cola making.
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Sugar, Cocaine, Coca-Cola Bottle
TIME LINE
2023 - 2024
These large pen drawings (150 x 100) accompanied by a sentence or words offer introspective references to my daily life, thoughts, events, or feelings. Filling in the drawings is done through meticulous, precise hatching. Each drawing holds its own conceptual layering from what it depicts, referring back to the sentence and visa versa. Line by line, minute by minute, alluding back to the title of the series “TIMELINE” as the drawing of the lines take laborious amounts of time and the images themselves are a depiction of my own timeline, my own life.
BIC BICER BICST
2022 - 2024
Inspired by the contemporary ballpoint-pen artists using the very distinct medium of Bic to create their (often figurative) work, this series challenges this particular art-style. Instead of using the ballpoint-pen to create figurative drawings, the ink is manipulated to create an “abstract expressionism” style work. A very rich and abstract pattern emerges using the 4 basic colours available in ballpoint-pens: Blue, Black, Red & Green. In monochrome or combined. The darker spots and swooshes resemble brushstrokes and capture the intensive and energy-demanding process required in this series.
GLIMPSE
2021
In the series GLIMPSE I question artistic trends, beauty, and the fluctuating value of art as existing canvasses depicting classical, bland themes are transformed into abstract contemporary works. Subjects that were once popular are now deemed invaluable by viewers and collectors, not belonging in today’s household or art scene. A direct result of certain trends within the art world affecting value and art movements. By blackening the canvas and leaving only a glimpse of the former subject, I leave viewers guessing what was originally portrayed and, with the help of the artwork title and cut-outs, an image is formed in the mind of the observer. What could previously not capture the attention anymore, now triggers the imagination once again. The invaluable becomes once more of value. The colourful cutouts of the original canvas were selected by me as being the most interesting parts of the original artwork. This process obliged me to study the artwork thoroughly and thus paying tribute one last time to the craftsmanship of the original artist. An attention and appreciation that the work originally would unlikely ever know again. By choosing mainly impressionist works as a starting point, I reference back to my upbringing in art. By coming into contact with the great Belgian masters and painters of the "Latemse school" through my father's gallery, this specific art movement will always be an important starting point in my view of art and art history.