Luc Tuymans

Luc Tuymans, (b.1958, Belgium) is considered one of the most influential painters working today. His signature figurative paintings transform mediated film, television, snapshots and print sources into examinations of history and memory. Tuymans emerged at a time when there were not many new contemporary painters making or using imagistic paintings. Tuymans first made his mark in the 1980’s, when he began to explore Europe’s memories of World War II with harsh, but elegant paintings. Tuymans’ subjects range from major historical events, such as the the Third Reich occupation or the politics of the Belgian Congo, to the inconsequential and banal: wallpaper patterns, Christmas decorations, everyday objects. Integral to the Tuyman’s practice is the reliance on existing visual materials, including drawings, photographs, and film stills.