Biography of Kristof Montens

Kristof Montens 1983, Bruges (Belgium)

Welcome to my biography page.

My art revolves around progression, beauty, wonder, enlightenment, confidence, positive impulses, and highlighting the unifying power that our nature demonstrates. I want people to feel good and be amazed by the shapes and colors in my artworks. In creating something tangible, uniqueness and the meaning of creation are central. I enjoy playing with forms, structures, and colors that encourage the viewer to follow their curiosity.

We can also say that the grooves in my works are like fingerprints a true source of inspiration, consistently resulting in a creative identity.

Concept: Shading Shapes.

The concept of Shading Shapes was born from a love for nature. As an artist, I feel partially responsible for stimulating awareness that should strengthen the preservation of nature. I try to start the conversation by reversing roles. The chainsaw, which I consider the murder weapon, is for me the medium to create new life in the dead wood. I carve organic shapes into panels made of recycled wood: Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) is a pressed board consisting of wood fibers, a contemporary quality construction product that has become indispensable in the construction sector.

This technique creates a dynamic between the organic and the artificial, where the recycled wood serves not only as material but also as a story in itself. Every cut and color choice reflects a moment from nature, a memory of what once was and what can bloom again.

With the Shading Shapes series, I aim not only to inspire visually but also to create a sense of connection. By manipulating light and color within the carved grooves, I strive to evoke a sense of movement and depth that transcends the boundaries of traditional painting. Each piece becomes a dialogue between the viewer and the artwork, with the interplay of shadows and shapes prompting exploration and interpretation.

The works invite the viewer to pause and reflect on the beauty of nature and its fragility. It is an invitation to contemplate our role as caretakers of this earth and its population. I hope it can create connections among people and enhance their ability to interact.

The interaction between the artworks and the environment changes the experience with each visit. The shadows created by the play of light and color are a metaphor for the constantly changing nature and the influence we as humans have on it. Each piece is thus not only a visual object but also a call to action—a reminder that we can all contribute to protecting and restoring our natural environment. It is my goal that these works, with their colorful and organic forms, evoke a sense of wonder and respect for our habitat.

In essence, Shading Shapes serves as a reflection of my journey as an artist, where the past and present come together, inviting others to join me in this exploration of creativity and perception. With this series, I hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the complexity of visual art and the endless possibilities it offers.

In this way, I wish to engage in a dialogue about sustainability, interaction, diversity, and ecological responsibility, with art acting as a catalyst. I invite you to pause for a moment at that little bit of light that dances just on a piece of bark or a blade of grass at sunset. I try to enchant my works with this breathtaking spectacle, as an ode to nature.

Art fairs

Lille Art Up 2024, from 8 to 11 February, Gallery: Down To Art

Exhibitions

Gallery SEB Lovense Kanaaldijk 47-08, Tilburg, Nederland 22/06/2025 - 03/08/2025

Stadhuis Damme, Markt 1, 8340 Damme, België
27/04/2018 - 02/05/2018

Absolute Art Gallery, Dijver 4-5, 8000 Brugge, België 09/06/2015 - 24/08/2015

Absolute Art Gallery, Dijver 4-5, 8000 Brugge, België 24/02/2015 - 27/04/2015

Créative et Zen, Guinée, Afrika
01/04/2009 - 15/05/2009

’t Brugse Vrije, 8000 Brugge
25/05/2008 - 15/06/2008

Willits’ art gallery
20/10/2007 - 23/11/2007