My Walk-in kunst depot 

Explore my walk-in art depot on -1, a treasure trove of contemporary art. Let me guide you through the collection and discover new and unknown artists. If you have an interest in a specific artist, I'll not only guide you through the gallery but also through the art depot. Perhaps I can also offer advice on how the artwork fits into your personal interior. Below you will find the names of those who can be found in the depot. We do not showcase our entire collection on the website; it is better to experience the art in person or get a sneak peek on our Instagram page.

Diego Benéitez

Painter of atmosphere, light, air and water particles. Benéitez's work is a window to the outside world. His ability to capture those magical moments when the first rays of sunrise appear, or the last moments of light before sunset that he shapes into a totally contemporary landscape, stands out.

In order to contemplate his paintings one must play with distances. From a distance it seems to be a totally abstract work: we can observe the gradation of colours, alternation of lights and shadows that confer a rhythm that directs and calls us to advance towards the background of the landscape.

As we get closer we begin to see that there is a horizon line where trees, houses, lamp posts and towers are cut out. Especially those Castilian towers dot the territory through which Benéitez moves. And finally, already in front of the work, we discover the accents, those touches of paint here and there skilfully placed so that the eyes of the spectator jump from one to another and travel along that strip that separates earth and sky. Generally of square format, one of the characteristics of Diego Benéitez's paintings is that they have the capacity to make the living space bigger. As we said before, they are real windows.

On the other hand there are the drawings. Smaller in size and on paper, this artist's carefree and jovial personality is more evident. The stain, the brushstroke or the technique change, but not the essence or the quality. It can be said that Benéitez is more daring in this section, in which he includes sprays and the factor of chance, he plays with the background of the paper and more contrasting colours. The result is works full of strength that, sometimes, reach a higher level of abstraction.

 

 

 

Tom Seerden 

The works of Tom Seerden are imbued with his deep love for Italy and the enchanting Mediterranean countries. His fascination with the beauty of architecture, landscapes, and composition forms the core of his artistic vision. This passion translates into what he describes as "landscapes" – impressions of picturesque villages, serene monasteries, and majestic castles, often perched on imposing rock formations.

In his compositions, the power of community comes to the forefront, as well as the beauty of architecture, sometimes accompanied by the melancholy of faded glory, loneliness, isolation, togetherness, and happiness. Tom Seerden uses bronze as his medium, which is both literally and figuratively supported by beautiful stones such as slate, granite, and marble, and sometimes by old, used wooden beams. These foundations serve as the starting point for his creations, from which an organic unity emerges. Nothing is predetermined; the creative process is a continuous journey of discovery.

The recognition in Seerden's work perhaps lies in the shared passion of the viewer, as he encourages the audience to create their own interpretation. Tom Seerden studied at the teacher training program TEHATEX in Nijmegen and then at the Academy of Fine Arts in Arnhem. He exhibits in various galleries and fairs both nationally and internationally. In addition, he has realized several works in public spaces.

 

Severine Loisel 

To invent and describe — to discover a treasure and lay bare your inner self on canvas with paint. This is the artistic journey undertaken by Séverine, whose childhood was bathed in the coastal light of Brittany. Initiated into the world of painting by her grandfather at an early age, Séverine found sheer joy in experimenting with colors, a joy that resonates in her artwork to this day. Her grandfather's influence continues to inspire her, evident in the explosion of color and serene images that soothe the soul.

Séverine's artistic education led her to study graphics and ornamental painting at the Institute Van der Kelen in Brussels. Here, she delved into ancestral methods, learning to touch, work, and imitate traditional materials. After a period dedicated to commissioned works, she felt a natural and necessary pull to discover her individual expression.

Color emerges as the powerhouse in Séverine's work as she experiments with different subjects—moving animals, aquatic worlds, and landscapes. The turning point arrives with abstraction, where she departs from traditional figurative work. In this new expression, color and form come together to represent her inner view of nature and its elements. Séverine's art becomes a canvas of emotions, a testament to her profound connection with the world she portrays.

Thomas de Marsay 

Globetrotter and artist, Thomas de Marsay, was born in Jaén, Spain, in 1965. His journey in the world of art began when he moved to Barcelona at a young age, immersing himself in the city's vibrant artistic scene and developing a profound admiration for Catalan and Spanish painters like Fortuny, Casas, and Picasso. Eager to expand his artistic horizons, de Marsay moved to Madrid to delve into the works of Velazquez and later to Paris, where he delved into the realm of French painting.

Currently residing and working in Sitges, Spain, de Marsay draws inspiration from various cultural influences. His artwork is a fusion of Spanish, Catalan, and French artistic elements, creating a unique blend that reflects his diverse artistic journey.

De Marsay's artistic focus revolves around portraying iconic characters — superheroes, 50s celebrities, famous movie characters, and crooners. His meticulous paintings are textured with delicate brushstrokes, infusing his references to pop culture and art history with an affecting intimacy. Through his art, de Marsay bridges the gap between cultures and eras, creating a visual dialogue that resonates with viewers on a personal and nostalgic level.

Myriam de Lafforest 

Myriam's upbringing within a family rich in painters, writers, and photographers fostered a deep understanding of art's significance in life. This early exposure influenced her interest in drawing, as well as her studies of the piano and flute at the conservatory.

At the age of 10, Myriam discovered sculpture through the works of grand masters Rodin and Camille Claudel, leaving a profound impression on her. Delving into the life and works of Camille, Myriam realized that the sculptures held many secrets about the woman herself. This realization marked a crucial connection between art, sculpture, and psychology that would shape Myriam's artistic journey.

After completing her thesis in Psychology, Myriam's path led her to Spain, where she encountered sculpture once again, this time under the guidance of Salvador Manosa, a renowned Catalan sculptor who became her mentor. Under his tutelage, she honed her skills over several years, inheriting his techniques while infusing them with her unique style and talents.

Today, Myriam not only exhibits her sculptures throughout Europe but also works as an art therapist for children, teenagers, and adults facing challenges. Her therapeutic approach integrates her knowledge of art, sculpture, and psychology. Operating from her studio nestled in the heart of the Catalan countryside, Myriam views art therapy as a means of creation that leads individuals to self-discovery and reconciliation with life. She sees art as a magnificent bridge between lived experiences and one's true essence, emphasizing the importance of its circulation in this transformative process.

Joachim Seitfudem 

Wood sculptor Joachim Seitfudem (Starnberg, 1987) grew up in a family of artists. His father is also a sculptor, his mother was a painter. He never wanted to pursue the artistic profession - on the contrary, he tried to distance himself from it for a long time. "But art is like a disease, you have it in you and at some point it breaks out of you." His works are very personal. In them Seitfudem processes his experiences, thoughts and adventures. After the death of his mother and a prison sentence for his involvement in a robbery and a drug crime - he developed a new sense of time, freedom and death. "In retrospect, it was only through these tragic experiences that I discovered my true potential." Joachim Seitfudem on his art "I do what I like, what I have not seen before. I do not care if others like it. The intent is that it intrigues, whether it is positive or negative.” “Recently I have been trying to explore new techniques and materials. My new sculpture 'Distance' shows my bronze techniques. It was made during the first corona pandemic, when people had to distance themselves from everything and everyone. The sculpture shows that every human being - regardless of their origin - craves closeness and touch. In essence, we all have the same desires.”

Walter Celis 

 Sculptor Walter Celis started his artistic career as draftsman, painter after completing his academic course. Soon he exchanged pencil and gum for hammer and chisel. Both his father and grandfather have been using the same tools, so this for sure contributed to the switch into 3 dimensions in the material stone and bronze. Walter has his studio in the of Antwerp, viewing a popular neighborhood, which results in creations. You will mainly find there rough blocks of Italian and Belgian Marble. Herewith he creates intimate and sensual pieces, which regularly raise questions with his visitors. His sculptures are a tribute to the human form, pulled partly or completely out of context, and often winking to old masters. With his creations, he’s telling stories, frequently challenging the spectators not to read the sign ‘forbidden to touch’. Biggest compliment for him : His sculptures are touching someone’s soul.

Max Gasparini

Following his exhibition in 2020, we are once again delighted to welcome Italian artist Max Gasparini from Bergamo to Thomas Gallery. Through his works, he pays tribute to Romanesque culture, the body, and the soul.

The memory of ancient civilizations comes to life in Gasparini's art, depicting angelic female faces infused with a primordial awareness. These are the faces of the daughters of Mnemosyne and Zeus: the nine muses who continue to inspire the arts to this day. They stand side by side with bodies bearing the memory of pain, recovery, and the healing of wounds. Evil touches even the most beautiful and well-sculpted bodies, making them even more fascinating.

Gasparini portrays damaged and restored bodies, scars healed by art that soothes the ailments of the body and nurtures the soul. The silence and the eyes - closed or open - alternate in Gasparini's work with the sound of healed wounds. The spirit is also present, ready to embrace these bodies. It is there, sometimes closing its eyes to listen better and opening them again to reveal the fairy tale of new life.

Behind Gasparini's canvases, you feel the soft rustle of scattered melancholy, but also a secret passion or expectation soon to be fulfilled. Life resides in these works. And while we see it, we stand still, awaiting a magical spectacle. Faces and bodies, depicted with mixed techniques on jute, canvas, or metal, seem to find solace after fear, loss of identity, and overcoming guilt.

The viewer moves among the resurrected remnants of beings that once lived, searching for themselves in that bygone dimension. What face and body will we ever be? It is the involution that leads to freedom, far beyond the human body and face, coming to life only in the realm of art.

 

Rob, a well-known Belgian television presenter and producer, has also emerged as a visual artist in recent years. Although his passion for art has long existed, it remained behind the scenes for many years. The pandemic provided him with the opportunity to showcase his art publicly, resulting in successful exhibitions in Belgium, including at the Verbeke Foundation, Ostend, Brussels, and soon at the Free University of Brussels alongside renowned artists such as Wim Delvoye.

 

Rob works with mixed media, creating original artworks by combining paper cuttings, photographs, everyday objects, and natural materials with paint and glossy epoxy. His art reflects societal issues, often infused with humor and a touch of satire.

 

He uses materials like dried rose petals, paperclips, and recycled objects to craft works that are abstract, surreal, and allegorical.

 

His recent exhibitions, such as “In Nomine” and “Nom de Dieu: Criticism, Blasphemy, Satire ...?”, focus on religious and social themes. Rob explores the values of Christ in the modern world, often through playful and ironic interpretations. His style is characterized by sustainability, elegance, and a refinement of the unrefined.

 

 

Victor Ramírez: The Poetry of Color and Space

Victor Ramírez is an artist who approaches color not merely as a visual phenomenon, but as a profound experience that reveals the essence of reality. His work moves between abstract expression and symbolic forms, where color speaks its own poetic language. His paintings contain layers of meaning that emerge from the interaction between light, space, and time.

 

Color as Emotion and Experience

According to Ramírez, each color has an emotional resonance and its own inner rhythm. Color serves as a bridge between the visual and the spiritual, an opening to the sublime. Inspired by great thinkers such as Goethe and artists like Van Gogh and Yves Klein, he sees color as an autonomous entity that evokes deeper meanings. He argues that in both urban and pictorial contexts, color is not merely a superficial phenomenon but a means to explore inner spaces.

 

Time and Space in Art

Ramírez’s vision of time and space is fundamental to his work. He perceives time as a fluid movement in which forms change and spaces emerge that were previously invisible. In his paintings, he translates this through lines and patches that are constantly being created and erased. This reflects the transience of existence and the layering of memories. His work is not just a static image but a dynamic process of continuous creation and transformation.

 

The Silence of Color and the Poetry of Form

In his art, Ramírez explores the interplay between presence and absence. On his canvases, he uses colors and lines to make the invisible visible—a concept also found in poetry. He is fascinated by the idea of erasing words and forms to arrive at a pure aesthetic experience. Just as in literature, where silence can hold significant meaning, the voids and blank spaces in his work are charged with depth and significance.

 

Art as a Universal Language

His influences range from the Flemish masters such as Van Eyck and Vermeer to the German Romantics like Caspar David Friedrich. He views art as a universal language that transcends cultures. His works are collected in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, where aesthetic similarities with local painting traditions are recognized.

 

Conclusion

Victor Ramírez’s art is an ongoing dialogue between color, space, time, and emotion. Through his use of pigments, textures, and written fragments, he creates a unique visual language that is both philosophical and sensory. His works invite the viewer to reflect more deeply on the essence of perception and the role of art in understanding human existence.