Frans De Vree, visual artist from Aalst Belgium was a good friend of the famous writer Louis Paul Boon. Louis Paul Boon’s literature has been translated in several languages.
When Frans and Louis met, they philosophized about social matters, mythology and religion. Both were nonconformist, a bit anarchic you could say. They had a clear criticism about church and society, loved what was going on in real life and liked to hear everyday stories told by common people. They never hesitated discussing controversial themes and made literature and art about it. Both were also important artists for portraying “the sexual revolution” between the 1950’s and 1980’s in Belgium.
Works by Frans De Vree can be found in private collections, public spaces and museums. He received the Ensor prize from the city of Ostend Belgium for his oeuvre. After Frans’ work was discovered by the famous Pieters Gallery Sint-Martens-Latem, and when there was interest from home and abroad (including a well known gallery in Paris), the somewhat anarchic Frans refused to cooperate with those crooks, as he called the gallerists.
After Frans De Vree’s death, the family searched for a representative to exhibit his legacy to the public. Louise Gallery is honored that they are chosen by the family to represent the very talented Frans De Vree.
Almost every character in Frans’ oeuvre has its own story so that an original series of portraits is created. This gives a paradoxical impression that the elaborated works contain always an arbitrary and exemplary sample of his personal captivating world.
This is the first in a series of planned exhibitions with Frans De Vree titled: “Tribute to Louis Paul Boon”
