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ABOUT

Yves de Brabander, a visual artist and filmmaker from Antwerp, Belgium. He’s known for his fashion photography and his fine art that explores themes of male nudity, touching on the narratives of gay culture and censorship.

Yves, who graduated cum laude from KdG University, was the permanent photographer of Sensoa, the Flemish expertise center for sexual health, from 2004 to 2009. This role allowed him to delve deeper into the nuanced intersections of sexuality, gay culture and society. He effortlessly bridges the worlds of fine art and photography, showcasing a dynamic career.

One of the signature strokes of de Brabander’s art is his remarkable mastery of light. He doesn’t just use light; he wields it with finesse, creating a world of depth and dimension within his works. Light, for him, isn’t just an element; it’s the very heartbeat of his creations.

But his artistic journey isn’t confined to the realm of aesthetics alone. Even in his early works, he fearlessly delved into sensuality. Yet, his take on the erotic is intriguing—it’s not just about raw desire; it’s about introspection. He invites you to explore the elusive nature of eroticism, often framing it against the backdrop of everyday life. In his lens, sexuality isn’t merely a societal construct; it’s a multi-faceted gem that sparkles with cerebral excitement, making even simple images resonate on profound levels.

Yves de Brabander is a genuine deconstructionist who dissects images, breaking them down, only to reassemble them through a unique, self-crafted technique. He constructs his pieces by layering translucent paper, each element meticulously mounted, a process that blends the essentials of digital photography with an analog touch, seamlessly merging the digital realm with the tactile allure of analog artistry. He meticulously applies a manual process, enhancing his works with the subtle nuances of natural pigments and carbon, further enriching the depth and texture of his creations.

His portfolio defies categorization. It’s a blend of art history, eroticism, and elements borrowed from arthouse cinema. His works have a story to tell, but they don’t spell it out; they invite you to explore and interpret. In his fashion photography, there’s a cinematic quality that’s hard to ignore, hints at his love for the silver screen —but it’s not about recreating film scenes or telling stories through fashion shoots. It’s more elusive, akin to the mystique of French cinema itself.

De Brabander’s creations have made it to the walls of esteemed galleries and artfairs around the world. His video works have also graced screens at various film programs and his fashion and art photography have been showcased in leading international publications. He’s an artist who keeps evolving, pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling, and inviting you to join him on a captivating journey through light and shadow, sensuality and self-reflection.

 

books

COME CLEAN

Preface and introduction by Slava Mogutin
first edition of 400 copies — APRIL 2024
Published by PAPER AFFAIRS Publishers, Vienna
Printed by Gerin Druck, Austria

 

exhibitions

solo exhibitions:

2022
Bring the Boys back Home, The Little Black Gallery, London

2018
Geworfenheit, Cedric Jacquemyn Showroom, Paris

2017
Shadows of Liberty, Cedric Jacquemyn Showroom, Paris

2016
Here is no Border only Dust, Cedric Jacquemyn Showroom, Paris

2012
Plains of Native Rites (Video Installation), Cedric Jacquemyn Showroom, Paris
Muted Beliefs, Cedric Jacquemyn Showroom, Paris

2011
Yves de Brabander, Trajector Art Fair by TAUT, Brussels
Video screenings, Berlin Fashion WeekGlass Haus, Berlin

2008
Ecce Homo, Galeria Pauza, Krakow

2007
Yves de Brabander (screening), Barinn, Reykjavik

 

group exhibitions:

2024
Carne Sagrada, curated by Slava Mogutin, Manos Amigues, Mexico CIty

2023
Désir, curated by Yves de Brabander & Eric LeRouge, instinct.berlin, Berlin
Gay Propaganda, curated by Slava Mogutin, Freiluft Kino Kreuzberg, Berlin
Tom of Finland Art&Culture Festival 2023, The Knast, Berlin
An AIDS Walkthrough, instinct.berlin, Berlin
BOYS!BOYS!BOYS! at Worldpride, Working Dog Gallery, Sydney

2022
The GUTUG, Gallery Hole, Bentwaters
Gay Propaganda, curated by Slava Mogutin, Kickoff Tom of Finland Festival, London

2020
BOYS!BOYS!BOYS!, The Little Black Gallery, London

2014
Antwerp Art, RA Gallery, Antwerp

2012
Up against it, Munch Gallery, New York
Night, Munch Gallery, New York
Pride, WM Gallery, Antwerp
Saint Sebastian 1530-2011, Edelman Arts Gallery, New York

2011
Saint Sebastian 1530-2011, Edelman Arts @ Art Miami, Miami Beach
CUM, Curated by Stuart Sandford, VZ Gallery, London
To: Japan/Love, New York, Munch Gallery, New York
ENTER #1, Munch Gallery, New York
ASVOFF by Diane Pernet, Musée Pompidou, Paris

2010
INSTANT. Fearless Project, La Petite Mort Gallery, Ottawa
INSTANT. Fearless Project, Robert Goff Gallery, New York

2004
VISIONS: Contemporary Male Photography, Bruno's, Berlin

1998
Dag tegen de homofobie, FWH, Stadsfeestzaal, Antwerpen

 

publications

published works:

2023
Kavla Zine #3, curated by Konstantinos Menelaou and Florian Hetz, TheQueerArchive
Mein Schwules Auge #20, edited by Rinaldo Hopf, Konkursbuch - ISBN 9783887699864
Pineapple #8, edited by Ben Sabo, Hungary
Crap Zine #2, edited by Anthony Rawson-Campbell, UK
Pornceptual, edited by Chris Philipps, Germany
Boys!Boys!Boys! The Book, edited by Ghislain Pascal, Kehrer Verlag - ISBN 9783969001141

2022
Boys!Boys!Boys! #5, collab with TheSkinnyType, edited by Ghislain Pascal, UK
Boys!Boys!Boys! #4, edited by Ghislain Pascal, UK
Pornceptual, Germany
PNPPL, Hungary

2021
PNPPL, Hungary
The Ghost of Avant-Garde, edited by Adriana Lacko, Croatia
Pornceptual, Germany

2015
Art+Religion in the 21st Century, Dr. Aaron Rosen, Thames & Hudson - ISBN 9780500293034

2010
Client Magazine, United Kingdom
Show/Off, Royal Academy of Fine Arts - Fashion Department, Antwerp
Pref Magazine, France
Flesh MenMag, Spain
Homo Neurotic, United States
Yves de Brabander, Ninja Art Magazine, France

2009
YVY Magazine, Italy
Vanity Teen, China

2007
Global Art Exhibit Magazine #1, "Portfolio", United States
Bend over seks #3, Safe sex zine, SENSOA, Belgium
Global Art Exhibit Magazine #2, "Naked Ambition", United States

2006
Bend over seks #2, Safe sex zine, SENSOA, Belgium
VISIONS - Contemporary Male Photography, Bruno Gmuender Verlag - ISBN 3-86187-870-4

2005
Bend over seks #1, Safe sex zine, SENSOA, Belgium
Zizo #69, "Portfolio Yves de Brabander", Belgium

2004
Pijpen, gebruik je hoofd!, Poster campaign, SENSOA, Belgium

 

catalogues:

2023
Désir Zine, instinct.berlin, Berlin
An AIDS Walkthrough, instinct.berlin, Berlin

2012
Munch Gallery 2012. Munch Gallery, New York

2011
Munch Gallery 2011. Munch Gallery, New York

2008
Katalog 2010, curated by Karolina Harazim, Galeria Pauza, Krakow
Ecce Homo, Catalogue for Galeria Pauza

 

selected press:

2023
"These images are a deep dive into the complexities of sex...", Dazed Digital — link

2022
Artist of the Month: Yves de Brabander, Boys!Boys!Boys! — link
"Yves de Brabander; Senderos de Gloria", Belfusto Magazine — link

2021
Yves de Brabander, Facts Magazine #16
My Muse: Cedric Jacquemyn, NVRMIND Paper #13

2011
"Modern Eros: Yves de Brabander", edited Gene Ku Chin, PPaper Fashion, Taiwan

2010
"Picture This!", DNA Magazine, Australia
"Editorial of the month: Anvers Dec '47", Ken Pratt, Other Edition, United Kingdom
"Spotlight: Yves de Brabander", Albert Smith, The Advocate, Los Angeles
"Yves de Brabander Funky Trasy si de vis", RGN Magazine, Romania

2008
Studio Brussel, interview on Ecce Homo with Thomas de Soete, Belgium
"Polen boos om religieuze Homofoto's", Gazet van Antwerpen, Belgium
"Ecce Homo Projekt Zrealizowali", FOTO, Poland
"Wernisaz wystawy Ecce Homo", Fotografuj, Poland
"Ekscentryczne Ecce Homo", MM Krakow, Poland
"Oto Czlowiek projekt Yves de Brabander", Fotopolis, Poland
"Wystawa Fotografii Yves de Brabander", Clubber, Poland

2007
"Les mysterieuses", Pref Magazine, France
"This is a man's world! Yves de Brabander", de FOTOgraaf, Netherlands

2006
"De man van Yves de Brabander", Thijs Demeulemeester, Knack Weekend, Belgium
"Visions contemporary male photography", Maenner Aktuell, Germany

2005
"Man fotografeert man", ELLE, Belgium

2004
"De dromer: Yves de Brabander", Zone03, Belgium