FRED VAN DE WALLE
Born in Belgium, living in Switzerland.
Fred Van de Walle is a life-driven artist and self-guided creator who values personal experience as the foundation for his creativity. Rather than following established approaches or relying on second-hand experiences, he seeks out new challenges and environments, allowing direct encounters with the world to shape his path. His creative process is fluid and exploratory, with each experience naturally leading to the next, resulting in authentic art closely connected to his journey.
For over 20 years, Fred lived a semi-nomadic life, traveling the world while working on deep-sea shipwrecks and in museums. This lifestyle exposed him to a wide range of environments and challenges, each of which left its mark. After settling in Switzerland, he began to explore his creative impulses more fully, experimenting with various techniques, materials, and styles. Drawing on his technical expertise shaped by a background in science and conservation, this exploration eventually led to his current focus on textured paintings on wood and canvas, where he developed the Metal Particle Painting technique, applying metal particles with a metal brush.
A key feature of this technique is the interaction between the viewer, the artwork, and the light source, which shifts with the viewer's perspective. This dynamic relationship creates a unique and engaging viewing experience through the Lenticular effect, where the visual experience changes based on the viewing angle.
Beyond his artistic work, Fred created the award-winning Marcel Liqueur. His curiosity and drive to explore new ideas continue to shape his projects and inspire his creative approach.
Exhibitions & Conferences
February - August 2026
Index of Vitality · Chengdu Biennale, China
January - February 2026
Art Journey 2026, Swatch Art Peace Hotel, Shanghai, China
June - December 2025
Playground Unfinished, Suzhou, China
June - July 2025
15th International Exhibition of Fine Arts, Shanghai Art Collection Museum, China
May 2025
Luminescence, Art House, Shanghai, China
May - June 2025 (16650 visitors)
Solo Exhibition 'Abysse, regards sans écho' , Shenyang, China
April 2025
Blossom Time, Swatch Art Peace Hotel, Shanghai, China
August 2024
Adam Brody, Zürich, Switzerland
March – June 2024
Exposition Credit, Lausanne, Switzerland
June 2024
ARCA’s 14th Annual Interdisciplinary Art Crime Conference
New Frontiers in Art Crime Encroaching on Old Borders: Protecting Artistic Innovation in the Digital Age
November 2023
Tentacle Cosmic Fetishists, Zürich, Switzerland
July 2022
GUT! Open Studio, Zürich, Switzerland
Residencies
February - May 2025 Swatch Art Peace Hotel, Shanghai
June 2025 Xu Bing Art Satellite Creative Residency Project
July - August 2025 CIC Ocean Research, cook Islands
March - April 2026 Le Méridien Shimei Bay, Hainan
Metal Particle Painting & the Lenticular Effect
Metal Particle Painting is a unique technique that combines metalwork and painting to create layered, reflective artworks. This innovative method involves using brushes made of brass, bronze, steel, and gold to apply fine metal particles onto various surfaces.
What makes this artwork special?
The interplay of light and texture creates a dynamic visual effect known as the 'lenticular effect'. As you change your viewing angle, the image appears to shift, offering different perspectives and revealing hidden details. This effect is similar to what you might have seen in 3D postcards or novelty cards that change or move when tilted.
How to Experience the Artwork to its Fullest:
1. Change Your Viewing Angle: Stand in front of the artwork and slowly move from side to side. You'll notice how the image seems to change, revealing different layers, textures, or even different images altogether.
2. Observe Under Different Lighting: The reflective metal particles in the painting interact with light in unique ways. Try viewing the artwork under different lighting conditions—natural daylight, soft indoor lighting, or direct spotlighting—to see how the colors and textures shift.
3. Take Your Time: The lenticular effect is all about interaction. Spend some time exploring the painting from various positions and under different lights. The more you engage with the piece, the more you'll discover.
This technique merges traditional metalwork with modern art, resulting in a captivating visual experience that evolves as you view it from different perspectives. Enjoy the dance of light, color, and form that "Metal Particle Painting" has to offer.
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