Rudi Bogaerts

The artistic practice of Rudi J.L. Bogaerts is versatile and intensively explorative, embracing various media such as painting, drawing, assemblages, photography, and film. Bogaerts distinguishes himself by his ability to transform everyday observations and found objects into subtle, playful compositions. These elements not only serve as subjects but also form the starting point for broader and deeper explorations of social and philosophical themes.
With a combination of playful lightness and keen insight, Bogaerts approaches reality, inviting viewers to look beyond the obvious. By combining found objects and visual elements in unexpected ways, he creates a dialogue between the banal and the abstract, between what is visible and what remains hidden. His approach results in a layered oeuvre that merges aesthetic experience with intellectual stimulation.
Humour and suggestive imagery are key features of his work, through which he challenges the everyday without fully unravelling it. Objects and images act as subtle catalysts that provoke thought without asserting themselves in the foreground. This adds an extra layer of depth and complexity, encouraging viewers to discover new layers of meaning with each interaction.
Bogaerts' work o...

1994-1995 School of Arts (KASK) – MFA in photography, Ghent (B)
1987-1990 School of Arts (KASK) – dept. photography & film, Ghent (B)
1984-1987 School of Arts (KASK) – dept. painting + dept. graphics + dept. sculpture, Ghent (B)

Group Exhibitions
2025 Open Ateliers #18, Nucleo – Ghent (B)
2024 Tortilla Flat 2.0, M12 – Ronse (B)
2023 Secondroom Nr.300, Secondroom – Antwerp (B)
2022 Nain Jaune, M12, Ronse (B)
2021 9050 knipoogt naar Van Eyck, Ledeberg-Gentbrugge (B)
2021 Composte 2021, Steenhuize-Wijnhuize (B)
2020 The Summer Exhibition 2020 (Rescheduled autumn 2020), The Royal Academy - London (UK)
2020 Steengoed, Kunstroute 2020, Oosterzele - Balegem (B)
2020 Zomersalon 2020 - Kunsthal, Ghent (B)
2019 Mostyn Open 21 – Wales (UK)
2018 Krasj 4 – Ninove (B)
2017 Land van Fotografie – Ghent (B)
2017 Mostyn Open 20 – Wales (UK)
2016 Cosmos of Hope – Pratt Institute, Brooklyn (US)
2016 Prestige IV: No Comment, Ghent (B)
2016 Kunstenparcours WEL-COME – Sorry Not Sorry, Ghent (B)
2016 Twintig – Voorkamer, Lier (B)
2014 Fotografie herontdekt – Zebrastraat, Ghent (B)
2013 Johan De Wilde: 'Ik wordt' – Voorkamer, Lier (B)
2012 Leaving for a living @ Parallel Events Manifesta 9, Genk (B)
2011 Group Show – Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts, Salzburg (A)
2010 Group Show – Casa Argentaurum, Ghent (B)
2010 Prijs van Asse - Galerie De Ziener, Asse (B)
2009 Labyrint 09 / Writings and Observations – Botkyrka Konsthall, Tumba (S)
2009 ...