Bram Demunter's new paintings at Tim Van Laere Gallery in Rome combine myth, history, and personal narrative

Tim Van Laere Gallery Rome presents a solo show with new paintings and drawings by Belgian artist Bram Demunter (b. 1993, Kortrijk). This exhibition, titled Swift as a Whirlwind, Through the Marble Sky, is Bram Demunter's third solo show since joining Tim Van Laere Gallery in 2019 and his first show in the Roman space of Tim Van Laere Gallery.

Bram Demunter is an artist whose work thrives on the rich interplay between myth, history, and personal narrative. One of the striking features of Demunter's paintings is his ability to use visual motifs to bridge disparate worlds. Figures from classical myth, like gods, heroes, and monsters, may emerge from or interact with the symbols of contemporary life. This dynamic tension creates a sense of dialogue between different epochs and experiences, questioning the linearity of history and offering instead a more fluid, interconnected understanding of human experience. The brushstrokes themselves seem to mirror this complexity. Rich textures and vibrant colors swirl together, creating a sense of movement and energy that suggests both the tumult of ancient battles and the quiet moments of personal introspection. The result is a body of work that feels simultaneously timeless and immediate, steeped in history yet undeniably modern in its concerns.

Ultimately, what makes Demunter's approach to storytelling so compelling is his ability to balance the monumental with the intimate. His paintings are not just grand narratives of heroism or tragedy but also spaces where individual emotions and experiences resonate. By blending mythic themes with personal symbolism, he creates works that invite viewers to reflect on their own place within these larger stories, and perhaps even inspire them to find meaning in the untold myths of their own lives.

In this new series of paintings, there are a lot of traces from mystical figures such as Mad Meg or epic stories such as Beowulf, Paradise Lost, and Don Quixote. Like these stories, Demunter's paintings unveil the chaos and absurdity of human existence and our impact on the natural world.

The essence of Bram Demunter's work lies in its profound exploration of the human condition, focusing on themes of transformation, internal conflict, and the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world. Demunter’s paintings often evoke the tension between human aspiration and nature’s overwhelming forces, portraying both the fragility and power of the human spirit in a world shaped by environmental and existential struggles. Demunter's art reflects a nuanced understanding of the human psyche, where individuals navigate the chaos of existence, facing internal and external forces that shape their identities. His use of mythic and literary figures, such as Beowulf, Don Quixote, and Mad Meg, positions these characters not only as symbols of heroism or folly but also as reflections of human vulnerability and the search for meaning. In these figures, Demunter explores universal aspects of the human condition: the desire for purpose, the struggle against one’s own limitations, and the consequences of personal and collective ambition.

Through his distorted, often surreal depictions of these figures, Demunter suggests that the quest for heroism or identity is fraught with peril. These epic figures are not simply triumphant warriors or unassailable forces of will, but individuals wrestling with doubt, pain, and internal fragmentation. They are often placed in landscapes that seem inhospitable or overwhelming— swirling skies, jagged terrains, or figures caught in violent motion—mirroring the precariousness of their place in an unpredictable world. This dialogue between humanity and an often hostile environment reflects our vulnerability in the face of forces beyond our control, whether they be natural, societal, or existential.

Bram Demunter (b. 1993, Kortrijk) lives and works in Kortrijk, Belgium. The works of the artist can be found in several national and international collections.

BRAM DEMUNTER
​Swift as a Whirlwind, Through the Marble Sky
​8 February - 3 May 2025
​Tim Van Laere Gallery Rome
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​Palazzo Donarelli Ricci - Via Giulia 98 ​
​00186 Rome - Italy

Selection of images (Courtesy Tim van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome)

Bram Demunter in his studio in Kortrijk, Belgium. the painting on the background is Sparkling and Bubbling, 2024 oil on canvas 170 x 200 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome

Bram Demunter in his studio in Kortrijk, Belgium. the painting on the background is Through the Woods, up the Hill!, 2024 oil on canvas 140 x 100 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-RomeBRAM DEMUNTER, Nightwalk, 2024 oil on wooden panel 57 x 22,5 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome

BRAM DEMUNTER, Wild Swirl, 2024 oil on canvas 200 x 170 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-RomeBRAM DEMUNTER, Early Morning Walk, 2024 oil on canvas 115 x 112 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome

BRAM DEMUNTER, Cold Rainy Island, 2024 oil on canvas 180 x 120 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-RomeBRAM DEMUNTER, Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome

BRAM DEMUNTER, Painter by the Lake, 2024 oil on wooden panel 63,5 x 22,5 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-RomeBRAM DEMUNTER, Through the Woods, up the Hill!, 2024 oil on canvas 140 x 100 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-RomeBRAM DEMUNTER, Barkers, 2024 oil on wooden panel 30 x 15 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome

BRAM DEMUNTER, Pale Green Feet, 2024 oil on canvas 100 x 75 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-RomeBRAM DEMUNTER, Oh! Wisteria, 2024 oil on canvas 140 x 100 cm. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery, Antwerp-Rome