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About Jan Heylen
Jan Heylen (1931-1967) emerged as a significant figure in sculptural ceramics, both in Belgium and internationally. Though his life may have been short, his impact on the art world was profound. He studied sculpture at La Cambre in Brussels under Charles Leplae and further refined his craft in Paris under Ossip Zadkine. Heylen founded the ceramics department at the Provincial Higher Art Institute of Hasselt, sharing his expertise and passion with future generations. Characterized by figures in unconventional poses and evocative facial expressions, Heylen's work delves deeply into the complexities of human emotion and vulnerability, resonating with audiences on a profound level.
The impression his sculptures leave is such that they make every discussion about the expressive potential of ceramic sculpture seem passé. The directness of his 'art brut' certainly impressed many colleague artists like Yves Rhayé, Carmen Dionyse, Lieve De Pelsmaeker and Octave Landuyt. The fact that he exhibited at Expo 58 at such a young age speaks to his talent and the recognition he garnered in the art world at an early stage. It's unfortunate that his career was cut short due to a car accident, but his artworks are still studied and exhibited to this day.