Pierre Alechinsky, born in 1927 in Brussels, is trained at the local art academy in book illustration, typography and graphic techniques. At the end of the 1940s he joins the Cobra group. Together with Christian Dotremont, he forms the Belgian division of this group. From Dotremont, he takes over the interest in calligraphy as a pictorial means of expression. It becomes a starting point for his further development. In the few free works that he makes today, one can recognise the very personal brushwork of the left-handed artist that will later dominate his entire work.
Alechinsky expands his knowledge of graphic techniques in the early 1950s. Of great significance for his further development as an artist, is his trip to Japan, which he undertakes in 1955, encouraged by his growing interest in Eastern calligraphy. One of the ‘methods’ he takes from Japanese calligraphers is the attitude towards the paper, which lies on the floor, leaving the artist free in his movements. He develops a very unique and distinctive style. He sets up his works with a light and fast brush stroke, in which calligraphy and fantasy creatures play a major role.
In Alechinsky’s later painting, the interweaving of decorative and figurative elements comes to the forefront more and more prominently, whereby the decoration is often placed around the scene as a sort of border. In his graphic work, the combination of figuration and decoration is often reinforced by using different graphic techniques for the border and the central image, for example lithograph and etching.
It is not uncommon for Alechinsky’s work to have the appearance of comic strips, with the sequencing in panels which tell a story. Furthermore, he often uses old invoices, shares and bonds as the basis for his drawings, watercolours and graphic work, whereby he optimally exploits the decorative value of these documents. Motifs derived from nature, such as the waterfall, the volcano and the snake, play an important role in his work.
Alechinsky is internationally recognized as one of the most important living artists. His work can be seen in museums all over the world.
