Geert De Smet

E.D. | 85cm x 85 cm | charcoal on paper on wood panel | 2020

E.D. | 85cm x 85 cm | charcoal on paper on wood panel | 2020

Geert De Smet (°1960) lives and works in Wijgmaal (Leuven). His career started in theatre, with a degree in theatre directing at the RITCS in Brussels (1983). He obtained a First Prize in Dramatic Art with Senne Rouffaer at the Conservatory of Brussels (1988). Until 2003 he worked for various companies in Belgium (KVS, KNS, Speeltheater,…) and the Netherlands (NNT Groningen with Karst Woudstra). He took part in theatre tours in the Netherlands, France, Spain and Canada with Speeltheater Gent. Since 1996 he has been a part-time drama teacher at the SLAC in Leuven.

Yet there was also a need to express his own feelings. He soon started to focus on graphic and plastic arts: until 1996 he followed Graphic Art, Drawing and Painting with Eric Leon at the Rijksacademie in Anderlecht. From 1998 he also started to sculpt, as an autodidact.

 As a sculptor he works with plaster (sometimes in combination with wood) or with sculptor's wax. The statues are then cast in bronze using the lost wax method. An installation of his bronze sculptures can be found in the National MS Center in Melsbroek, among others.

 Geert also likes to draw a lot, preferably with charcoal and in larger formats.

Solo Exhibitions

  •  Le Neuf Gallery, 2021

  • Galerie De Buck, Gent, 2016

  • Stop:Watch, Wijgmaal, 2015

  • Galerie De Buck, Gent, 2012

  • Tweebronnen, Leuven, 2011

  • Galerie De Buck, 2010

  • Galerie De Buck, 2009

  • Raad Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie, Brussel, 2008

  • Geert De Smet Studio, Wijgmaal, 2007

  • Galerie Canvas, Mechelen, 2003

  • Galerie Canvas, Mechelen, 2001

   Group Exhibitions

  • “Open poort in Stevoort”, Art & Advice, Hasselt, 2020

  • “Screening a collection: 54 solo exhibitions & one group show”, F.O.M.A. Galerie, Genk, 2019

  • “Sentimos”, Portretten en Landschappen, Galerie De Buck, Gent, 2016

  • Yes Art Gallery Sint-Idesbald, 2016

  • Kunstroute Leuven, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2007

  • “A personal choice”, Galerie Judy Straten en Art & Advice, Hasselt, 2014

  • Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus, Knokke, 2014

  • “NOT for sale”, persoonlijke collectie 25 jaar Art & Advice, Hasselt, 2013

  • “Het paradijs- Le paradis- The paradise”, Galerie De Buck, 2013

  • 12e Triënnale van de beeldhouwkunst, Camp & Campo, Antwerpen, 2013

  • Triënnale van de hedendaagse beeldhouwkunst, Garten 5, Destelbergen, 2013

  • “Door het oog van de herinnering”, Galerie Van Campen & Rochtus, Antwerpen, 2013

  • Duotentoonstelling Geert de Smet en Joop Vugs, Art & Advice, Hasselt, 2012

  • “Art Brut”, Duffel, 2012

  • Kunstroute Bierbeek, 2011

  • “Vogels over de vloer”, WZC Zonnebloem, Zwijnaarde, 2010

  • Pappillon, Oude gevangenis, Hasselt, 2007

  • Wijland, Koksijde, 2007

  • Art & Advice, Hasselt, 2006

  • Kunstproject Démens, De Zeyp, Ganshoren, 2006

  • Lion Art, Sint Pieters Leeuw, 2003 and 2005.

  • “Van de seventies tot de nieuwe Romantiek”, Anderlecht, 2001

  • De Markten, Brussel, 1995.

  • “Entre amis”, Leuven, 1994

  Publications

  • Geert de Smet, “Stop:Watch”, drawings, 2015

  • Catalogue expo Art Brut, result from an open workshop with psychologically vulnerable persons, ’t Vlot en De Passant, 2012

  • Catalogue “Het Paradijs-Le Paradis-The Paradise”, Galerie De Buck, 2012

  • Geert De Smet, “Fail again. Fail better”, beelden en tekeningen, 2012

  • Geert De Smet, “In de werkelijkheid is alles anders”, sculptures and drawings, 2008

  • Wijland jaarboek, 2007

  • Catalogue “Van de seventies tot de nieuwe Romantiek”, Anderlecht, 2001

    Training and Education

  • Academy of Visual Arts (ABKA), Anderlecht: Drawing and painting, 1996.

  • Royal Conservatory of Brussels: First Prize for Dramatic Arts, 1988.

  • Rijks Instituut voor Toneel- en Cultuurspreiding, (RITCS): Theater Director, 1983