A life full of art

“I wouldn't call myself an artist”, says Marc Goossens, who works at the photo studio of communication department Marcom Sevices, modestly. “But if I'm not able to express these forms of visual expression, my life wouldn't be complete.”

Art academy as his second home

“Ever since I was a child, I've been drawing and painting. No piece of paper or cardboard was safe. Not even my grandmother's cake doilies: they were covered with my doodles in no time. (laughs) No wonder I didn't waste any time going to the art academy. First for classic training, later also for the not so straightforward art forms: sculpting, model drawing, etc. The academy became my habitat. I ended up teaching printing techniques, etching, woodcutting, etc. A fantastic time: helping people with the same passion and making them better gave me great satisfaction.”

On the same wavelength with impressionists

“Sculpting, painting, graphic art, etc. Just about all forms of visual expression interest me, both to practise myself and to look at. I really look up to the impressionists and how they created shapes using light. When I look at their pieces, I feel what they felt when they created their work. It's an intense experience, not the same as when I were to just look at the paintings as an art lover. I feel very much at home in museums and exhibitions. I can get very emotional, I sometimes even feel myself welling up.”

Installations

with a story

“It's hard to choose, but perhaps I can express my creativity most in my sculptures. I follow how contemporary art evolves and I'm too curious to stand still. That is why I like to try out new techniques, materials and ideas. And mostly I create installation forms: I'll work out an idea in my head around a theme, look for suitable materials, draw a technical design, etc. and only one day before the start of an exhibition I'll actually create the work. Yes, it can be touch and go! And sometimes I have to tinker a little longer than planned. (laughs) But through experience and calculated risks I know it'll all be all right in the end.”

For myself … and to share

“My latest installation was a combination of metal, wood and paper. Creating something is a matter of whittling down your original idea to its essence. Everything superfluous has to go, which strengthens the pure form. It's not easy, I also notice this when I have to curate other pieces at an exhibition. After an exhibition, I dismantle my installation. And no, I don't think it's a shame.

I'm working on a temporary form of expression. It gives me peace of mind. I make these pieces for myself mainly. I wouldn't be able to keep it up otherwise. Then again, I also like sharing with others. It gives me immense satisfaction if it turns out the way I pictured something in my mind, and then receive praise.”

Who?

Danica Hjort, logistics team manager at Solucious, helps to give people with a difficult background a fair chance.