6th International Ex-libris Competition, an interview with Belgian artist Martin R. Baeyens who received the Ayşe-Noyan Ünal special award.
Hasip Pektaş
Martin R. Baeyens is an active painter, graphic artist and designer. He has held 130 individual exhibitions in Belgium and other countries. Participated in 1298 group exhibitions worldwide. He has won 213 prizes in international competitions. He has an important and special place in the ex-libris world. To date, he has designed 986 ex-libris, mostly silkscreen and CGD.
Nature is at the center of his artworks. He seeks a balance between technology and nature and therefore uses electronic circuit printing plates. He also specializes in freehand graphics. He prints his works himself with screen printing, a technique in which he is a perfectionist.
For 40 years he worked as a professor at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Ghent University. He has been a guest lecturer at the Frans Masereel Graphics Centre in Belgium, at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, USA and at various universities in China, Turkey, Northern Cyprus and Poland. He was invited to Barcelona, Lisbon, Krakow and Limerick academies for Erasmus. https://martinbaeyens.wixsite.com/portfolio
UNPRECEDENTED NETWORKS 13 ACRYL / MULTI LAYER BASIS 45 x 43 2020
Could you tell us a little about yourself? When did you become interested in ex-libris?
I will tell first a story. I made my very first ex libris under pressure of my teacher, Gerard Gaudaen, in the relief printing technique: an abstract wood engraving. Later when I visited an exchange meeting for the very first time nobody showed any interest in my new approach. It was a very frustrating experience for a young artist. A few years later my first silkscreen ex libris met with the same reaction …and so did my first CGD ex libris. From these experiences it is very clear that the new always frightens the public and that it prefers to stick to traditional techniques. . . Until now I’ve realized more than 986 ex-libris!
What is your artistic approach and sources of inspiration?
All my artistic activities are equally important in my work. Currently, major art integration projects in public buildings are my favorite. Painting, graphics work and creating ex libris are the ones who are as important. I also do not have the preference for some graphics techniques, but it is important that they are up to date. And of course, the use of the computer is inevitable.
During my career I tried out almost all graphic techniques. Screen printing and computer-aided design are for the moment the techniques I use most frequently now. They are representative for our time and provide new opportunities.
Two elements come always back in my work. First, nature as indispensable but also technology is important in our lives. I try to find a harmony between these important elements in our lives. In a modern world, one can’t exist without the other. I symbolize our contemporary world by using painting and printing on original circuit boards and multilayer bases.
UNPRECEDENTED NETWORKS 62 ACRYL / MULTI LAYER BASIS 45 X 43 2022
What do you think is the social and cultural significance of the ex-libris?
The ex libris retains its functional purpose as a property right for the owner of the book, but increases its artistic significance as art.
What would you like to say about collecting bookplates?
- Follow your own way. Collected what you like and not what other collectors tell you what to collect.
2.The artistic value is the only true value of a graphic work. Money not always what’s good. A big name can make sometimes inferior work.
- Encourage young artists.
- Let the artist keep his own character.
- stay up to day
What are the differences between traditional and digital bookplate design?
Nevertheless, each design process is always the same in traditional or even contemporary techniques. It proves that new ways can always be discovered and that not all possibilities have been explored. It shows young artists that they can find their own place in the world of art, on the condition that they are prepared to search for it.
What do you foresee for bookplate art in the future?
Times change and we cannot compare the current situation with the past. In the evolution of the ex libris, not only the graphic possibilities have been expanded, but also the style has evolved over time. The ex libris, however, retains its function as property rights and still belongs on the first page of the book. In addition, it has now also become a collector’s item for collectors of mini graphics.
EX LIBRIS for M. SONAY GÜRGEN CGD 96 X 96 2022
What is your experience in art, what do you want to tell?
As a child, I dreamed of teaching in a school of art. A dream that lasted for 40 years. Even now, I am happy to give guest lectures and workshops. A privilege that I could make worldwide in thirty universities. Teaching makes it special because you come in contact, with more different values and in a total other culture. They are very grateful that you want to pass your knowledge and that is of course the essence of education.
Can you tell us about your work and experiences in Turkey?
I have been fortunate to exhibit my work regularly in Turkey. Also, my workshops and lectures at various universities were well attended and successful. But more importantly I have gained a brother in this country. Thank you Birader Hasip Pektas
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