Exhibition about forgotten Ostend painter Joseph Willaert

The exhibition starts on the Dorpsplein. Joseph Willaert portrays the simple things in life in a simple way. A house painted in bright colors without shadows, the village pub with a bicycle in front of the door.

Forgotten artist

“Willaert doesn’t really paint people, yet they are very present in his works. That makes it so poetic. Who’s bike is there? Who’s bike is unlocked at the door. Who will come out soon?”, says curator Els Vermeersch.

His style is related to hyperrealism and pop art. With this exhibition, the city is putting a forgotten artist back in the spotlight.

Ostend autodidact

Willaert was born in Leke, but has lived in Ostend almost all his life. He also went to college there.

“He never attended art school. He is self-taught, which makes it so much more interesting,” says alderman of Culture Bart Plasschaert.

‘The Clear View of Joseph Willaert’ in the Venetian Galleries on the dike in Ostend will run until the beginning of November.