Marc De Graeve – a vision of contemporary abstract art
In recent reflections on my artistic goals, one truth has been central: nature is our life and the universe its source. While we increasingly reach for life beyond our planet, we simultaneously destroy the organic foundation that sustains us here. This paradoxical view of the times profoundly influences my work.
At a time when the art world is faltering and surviving on hype, networking, and fleeting consumption, I consciously choose to return to the essence: life itself. My early creative expressions took place in urban environments full of color and contrast. Now I focus on what life truly means. The cell—according to Nobel Prize winner Paul Nurse, the core of our existence—inspires me as a universal model of complexity and beauty.
My research into evolution led me to the elementary components of our planet: minerals. Their richness of color and structure forms the starting point for my work. By using natural pigments and materials, a slower but deeper creative process emerges. Every work of art grows from the limitations of its material, thus connecting thinking, feeling, and creating.
The earth is a fragile reflection of cosmic cycles. Humans, a temporary result of biological evolution, have the responsibility to understand and respect these natural processes. In a world that is turning ever faster—driven by technology like AI—I believe that true creativity lies in slowing down, listening to our origins, and consciously using the riches the earth offers us.
Conclusion:
True creation arises from rediscovering our natural foundation. By respecting the rhythm of the universe and creating with what the earth gives us, we find meaning beyond the speed of time.
Artist Statement
My work stems from a deep connection with nature as the origin of all life. At a time when humanity increasingly reaches for extraterrestrial existence, but puts pressure on life on Earth, I choose to consciously return to the essence: the organic and mineral building blocks of our planet.
Inspired by the cell—the core of life—and the cyclical nature of the universe, I explore how natural pigments, minerals, and structures can form a new visual language. The creative process is slow and intense. Every limitation of the material fuels the search for balance, layering, and meaning. This slowed-down process compels reflection and invites a deeper dialogue with the earth.
My art is a response to acceleration, alienation, and over-consumption. By using what the planet provides, I aim to create space for wonder, deceleration, and respect for the natural cycles of creation, existence, and disappearance.