Arnaud Maere - AM - °1992 Belgium
|| Conceptual artist, 11 works per series ||
YOU & I AS CLOWNS
2024 - 2025
This series was created for the traveling exhibition The Clown Spirit, curated by Joanna De Vos, in which each artist was invited to create a self-portrait as a clown. Arnaud Maere’s contribution debuted at 21 Gallery in Treviso, Italy, with the next stop in Athens, Greece, and further presentations to follow. The exhibition brings together an inspiring selection of internationally acclaimed artists including Jan Fabre, Kris Martin, Marina Abramović, Sofie Muller, Wim Delvoye, Hans Op de Beeck, Michael Fliri and many others. Several of these artists have been longstanding sources of inspiration in Maere’s artistic journey. In this conceptual self portrait series, Arnaud Maere reflects on the universal and personal nature of the clown. The work consists of a cutout of the artist’s head, meticulously crafted from red and white wooden planks, a nod to the aesthetics of early circus tents and carnivals where the clown’s performance first captivated audiences. This material choice ties to the artist’s practice of embedding cultural and historical references into their work, linking the past to the present. Behind the cutout sits a mirror, sourced from Italy as a subtle homage to the exhibition's location. A red dot, representing the clown’s iconic nose, is strategically placed, transforming the viewer into the clown upon engagement with the piece. The interactive nature of the mirror aligns with the artist’s philosophy of creating layered works that demand the audience’s reflection and self awareness. Beneath the cutout, a brass nameplate evocative of those used for Old Masters’ works features not the artist’s name but 11 distinct variations of expressions of laughter from around the world. From the commonly used "haha" to the Russian "xaxa" or the online version "LOL," these variations underline both the universality and diversity of humor, a theme central to the clown’s timeless role. By connecting humor to cultural and linguistic differences, the piece bridges shared humanity with the nuances that define us. The number 11, a signature element in the artist’s practice, subtly introduces variation while anchoring the work within their broader oeuvre. Each of the 11 pieces in the series features a unique variation of laughter, reinforcing the conceptual depth while maintaining the artist’s disciplined approach to series production. Through the title You and I as Clowns, the work draws attention to the viewer’s dual role as the observer and as the subject. The mirror implicates the clown’s role as a mirror to society where humor is used as a tool for reflecting on deeper subjects.
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Wood, Brass, Mirrored Glass
CORNERS OF MY MIND
2024 - 2025
This series by Arnaud Maere explores the tension between perception and marginality through a sequence of 11 sculptural works to be mounted precisely in the corner of a room, where two walls meet and where light rarely falls. Referencing the iconic Rorschach inkblots, the works engage not with diagnosis but with societal labeling: how those who think differently, often regarded as irrational, eccentric, or “mad,” are not celebrated at the center but quietly relegated to the margins. As the old saying goes, “Genius is close to madness,” yet such minds are often hidden away, cornered by convention. The title and concept are directly inspired by two Dutch spreekwoorden (proverbs): “In een hoekje gedreven worden” and “Hij heeft een hoek af.” The first, which means “to be backed into a corner,” refers to someone who is marginalized, dismissed, or socially sidelined. The second, “he has a corner missing,” is a colloquial way of saying someone is mentally offbeat or not all there, but it also carries a playful respect for eccentricity. Together, these expressions highlight the way society simultaneously fears and romanticizes those who do not fit conventional patterns. Each piece consists of a gesso inkblot formed on untreated linen. The gesso, applied thickly and intuitively, cracks and swells into vein-like structures that subtly resemble the interior anatomy of the brain. Mirrored only along a vertical axis, the blots resemble brain cross-sections, recalling both psychological introspection and medical imagery. The mirrored inkblot, historically a tool for analyzing the subconscious, becomes here a symbol for the misread or misunderstood mind. By placing the works in corners, Maere emphasizes architectural space as metaphor. The corner is neither one wall nor the other. It is both and neither. It is a site of convergence and isolation, a space where things are often hidden, ignored, or stored. These inkblots do not demand to be centered; instead, they choose the periphery, quietly waiting for the viewer to step closer. Unlike traditional portraits or works with a defined message, this series remains intentionally open. Each piece is marked only by a serial number, from 011105 to 111105, which references its place in the 11-part series and in Maere’s fifth conceptual cycle. The numbering reinforces the artist’s consistent practice of working in series of exactly 11 works, a method rooted in personal symbolism and structural clarity. The title "Corners of My Mind" reflects the layered nature of the work. It is at once psychological, architectural, and philosophical. These are not portraits of people but of mental states: split perceptions, misunderstood thoughts, or minds placed out of sight. As with previous projects, Maere invites the viewer not only to observe but to engage with what lies at the edge of visibility. The result is a quiet but powerful call to reconsider what society chooses to sideline, and why.
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Wood, Linnen, Gesso
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 - 2025
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.