Kris (56) opens traveling exhibition ‘environmental and climate paintings’ in branches of Zorgbedrijf Antwerpen (Antwerp)

Deurne Amateur artist Kris Baetens (56) will exhibit his series of environmental and climate paintings from Thursday in the Silsburg Services Center on the Herentalsebaan. With his 34 works he wants to create awareness about climate problems.

Three years ago, Kris picked up his brushes again after 35 years. “I am actually a technical draftsman by profession,” the Deurnaar begins his story. “But after two burnouts, I was advised to start working creatively again. That’s why I decided in 2021 to pick up my brushes again after more than 35 years.”

“My first work was for a painting assignment in sixth grade,” he continues. “Then I painted a model sailing boat. After that I made a few more works, but I gave them all away. I only have the sailboat left, thanks to my girlfriend who rescued it from the garbage bin.”

Now Kris mainly gets his inspiration from climate and environmental issues. “With my paintings I want to create awareness about climate problems. This happened to me when I was still with the sea scouts. After sanding and repainting our boats over the winter, we simply dumped the white spirit we used on the ground. Something inside me then said that was wrong.”

Sailboat

“When I started painting again, I immediately wanted to set the bar high and paint about a serious subject such as the climate. In the meantime, I am already working on climate painting number 31. It is my way of portraying the frustrations surrounding the mismanagement. I am especially active in the winter. During the summer I can be found more often on my sailboat than behind my donkey,” he smiles.

It is not the first time that Kris has exhibited his works. “Last year I already showed some paintings in the Wilrijk library. But now I am presenting the entire series during my exhibition in the Silsburg service center in Deurne. The works are not for sale, but I do offer them to organizations and companies that want to exhibit them.”

Kris’ paintings can be viewed from May 2 to October 31 as a traveling exhibition between the six branches of Zorgbedrijf Antwerp. More information about the full round can be found here.