Kamiel's world. (part 1)

All of his life, Kamiel lived in an Antwerp neighbourhood called Kiel, (apart from the name, the neighbourhood has no resemblance whatsoever with the German city with the same name)

One of the well known streets in this neighbourhood is a street called Abdijstraat. In Kamiel's youth it already was known for his shops and today it still is.

Recently the street and it's surroundings got a make over and a new shopping center opened it's doors only a few weeks ago!

Kamiel, inspirated by Dali

Apart from Isidore Opsomer, Kamiel got his inspiration from studying the work of other artists like Dali, Rubens, Verlat and Andre Delvaux.

There sure was a evolution to be spotted in his work: from realism to impressionism, from impressionism to surrealism later on in life.

Again, while experimenting with a new style, he started out by copying and then started to produce more original works by his own hand!

Baron Isidore Opsomer

This is a self-portrait by Isidore Opsomer, Kamiel's teacher and great inspiration.

From cobbler's apprentice to artist

Kamiel started drawing and painting from a very early age. His brother Henri remembers Kamiel drawing at the age of 8 or 9!

Being hard of hearing he attended a local special elementary school for the deaf near to a street called 'Kielse Vest'. This street still exists in Antwerp.
The school however moved to a nearby street in the same neighbourhood.

After completing this elementary school, he was trained to be a professional cobbler.
Then, he was introduced to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Now this Academy is primarily known for his fashion department. The Academy is still to be found at the Mutsaertstraat in Antwerp.

In his teens, Kamiel was thaught by Opsomer, again a well known Flemish artist. Baron Opsomer thought highly of Kamiel's talents and was great inspiration in his artistic life.

Joseph and Mary

Another copy of a Flemish original.
When he was still a young man, Kamiel sought inspiration in the works of old Flemish masters.

But where and by whom did he get his artistic education?

Still (a) Life ?

This still life might seem weird to you.
Why did Kamiel put a skull on the table, next to a rosary and a candle?

Well, since he isn't around anymore, we cannot ask him.

To me it seems like a statement, life being connected to death and the other way round.

Also, we pray for the dead and burn candles in honour of our loved ones, whichever religion we belong to or spiritual cult for that matter!

Antwerp, somewhere in the 1st district

Because he didn't own a driver's license, Kamiel used ride his Vespa moped through the city and countryside in search of landmarks or special places in order to depict them in his paintings.

I must say, he did them all proud!

Hilda Van denbergh painted by Henri Van Bourgonie

This is painting is not by Kamiel but by Henri Van Bourgonie, a portrait of Hilda Van denbergh, my aunt and Kamiel's sister in law.
Henri Van Bourgonie is Kamiel's half-brother and my uncle.

Though she looks very serious in this oil painting, at 82 (born may 3th, 1924) my aunt Hilda is a very easy going person who likes to enjoy life!

Early work

This painting is a copy of an original by Karel Verlat, a famous Flemish painter.

In fact, up until this very day, the original is to be found in one of the exhibition halls, adjacent to the Antwerp Zoo ...

Later, Kamiel developed, from being a mere copy-cat, to his own style!