Stief Desmet : hunting & collecting: selected sculptures

In his work, Belgian artist Stief DeSmet (born 1973) explores the complex interplay between nature and culture. How does humanity manipulate nature—and vice versa? His artistry constantly moves between two worlds: on the one hand, the hectic, consumer-driven society in which he lives, and on the other, a deep longing for a utopian state of nature. With a sharp, ironic eye, he questions the relativity of this longing and the illusion of an idyllic paradise. As a starting point, the artist often recuperates iconic images from our collective memory, such as typical Flemish front-garden sculptures, vanitas paintings, and hunting scenes by Old Masters. He combines these with both botanical elements found in his immediate surroundings and industrially manufactured building materials. He then rearranges these in the form of paintings, silkscreen prints, bronze and concrete sculptures, or performances. (bron: website copyrightbookshop)