Boonen (b.1993) is a self-taught arist whose colourful and dreamy visual language creates a meditative escape for himself and the viewer. The artist reverts to the late nineteenth century with a nostalgic feeling, drawing inspiration from post-impressionist painters such as Paul Gaugin, Emile Bernard and Henri Rousseau. The rich colour palette, primitivist style and scenes of these painters are immediately reflected in his paintings. Through the representation of solitary and enigmatic figures who take central stage and the layering of oil paint, oil pastels and pigments, Boonen invites us into these fantasy worlds.
Text courtesy: Jens Roothoofd