Panamarenko

Panamarenko (pseudonym of Henri Van Herwegen, born in Antwerp, February 5, 1940) is a prominent assemblagist in Flemish sculpture. Famous for his work with airplanes as theme.

Life and Work

Panamarenko studied at the academy of Antwerp. Before 1968, his art was inspired by Pop-art, but soon found an interest in planes and human powered flight which is also reflected in his name, which supposedly is an acronym for "Pan American Airlines and Company". Starting in 1970, he developed his first models of imaginary vehicles, planes, balloons or helicopters, in original and surprising appearances. Many of his sculptures are modern variants of Icarus. The question whether his creations can actually fly is part of its mystery and appeal.

The artists he admired were, amongst others: Joseph Beuys, Marcel Broodthaers, Bruce Nauman and Pablo Picasso

Panamarenko married in 2003 with 34 year younger Eveline Hoorens. In 2005, at the opening of a big overview exhibition of his work in Brussels, Panamarenko announced to retire as an artist and started to promote his own coffee brand PanamaJumbo.

External links

* [http://www.panamarenko.be Home page]
* [http://www.hoorenskoffie.be Hoorens Koffie]
* Art galleries with works by Panamarenko:
** [http://www.art-gallery.be/en/artist/Panamarenko web gallery]
** [http://www.muliermuliergallery.com the Mulier Mulier Gallery]
** [http://www.galeriejamar.be Galerie Jamar]
** [http://www.galeriedessers.be Galerie Dessers]