Peter Weidenbaum (25 July 1968) is a multidisciplinary artist who grew up and studied in Antwerp. He trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Higher Institute of Fine Arts. Weidenbaum has built up an impressive body of work, first gaining recognition as a sculptor before returning to painting. One of his best-known works is the permanent installation 'Passing-By' on Montgomery Square in the centre of Brussels.This artwork draws attention due to its unique design and location. He is also known for his work called 'Alter ego,' a car crashed by Weidenbaum cast in bronze.

In 1999, Peter Weidenbaum was invited by Stijn Huijts, then director of the Stedelijk Museum Het Domein in the Netherlands. This invitation resulted in his first museum exhibition featuring the installation 'Somebody puts something in my dreams'. During this period, Weidenbaum also created several 'fake reality' short films. From 2000 onwards, he spent three years working on a series called 'Out of the Forest', consisting of cryptic sculptures, drawings, and paintings. Weidenbaum strongly believes in the power of art to engage in dialogues and address societal issues. By giving his artworks a social dimension, he aims to strengthen the role of the artist as an active participant in society.

Weidenbaum's works have been included in various publications and exhibitions in the contemporary art world. As early as 2001, he was mentioned by Florent Bex in the reference book 'Art in Belgium after 1975'. In the book "Aspects of Belgian Art after '45", Belgian cultural philosopher Willem Elias identifies him as a representative of "neosymbolism". This style in Belgium is also referred to as the "school of Antwerp", with Luc Tuymans being its most prominent representative. Weidenbaum has participated in different exhibitions, including 'Fading' at the Museum van Elsene in 2009. His work also had a prominent place in the prestigious outdoor exhibition 'Blickachsen 10' 2015, in Germany. A significant turning point in his career was the solo exhibition 'Holzwege' at the Jiri Svestka Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic in 2022.

How can one select and then transform something from the complexity of visual information into a meaningful painting or installation that offers insights into the human condition? Peter Weidenbaum

Peter Weidenbaum's paintings primarily focus on realistic works that encompass everyday subjects, landscapes, still lifes, and people surrounding him. He uses these subjects to reflect on the human condition and the world around him. The biographical nature is a characteristic element of his body of work. Weidenbaum paints what he sees and what surrounds him, a phenomenon that first emerged in realism with figures like Gustave Courbet, and later continued in impressionism with artists like Pierre Bonnard and Gustave Caillebotte. This biographical aspect is strongly present in contemporary painting today, including the work of artist David Hockney.

In the publication 'Holzwege', German philosopher Martin Heidegger refers to art as an "open space" in the world. This concept describes a situation or experience that takes us out of our comfort zone and urges us to see the world in a new way. It is about art enabling us to experience reality in a way that is different from what we are accustomed to. In the case of Weidenbaum's paintings, we can recognize this "open space" in his unusual use of color, perspectives, and angles. These techniques force the viewer to look at reality in a new way.

Weidenbaum's landscape paintings challenge us to look beyond what is obvious, to explore the unknown, and to accept that change is an essential part of our experiences. They invite us to embrace and appreciate the complexity of our inner landscape.

Through his paintings, Weidenbaum also reflects on the strange world of the forest. He shows us perspectives that we would not normally see, unusual angles that deviate from the beaten path. The forest symbolizes the darkness within ourselves, the unknown aspects of our inner landscape that he finds more interesting than the evident visible. Weidenbaum combines this with impressionism, which does not capture what we know about the world, but only our temporary impressions. This is itself confusing because it emphasizes change and goes against the illusion of certainty.

Weidenbaum's portrait paintings are also significant within his body of work as they provide us with a unique insight into his perspective on human nature. They not only depict the outward characteristics of the individuals portrayed but also strive to portray a collection of inner experiences, thoughts, and feelings. To understand and organize the world around us, it is essential that we first explore our own inner world. Weidenbaum's portraits serve as an invitation to take this step. They challenge us to take a deeper, more inward look at human identity.

Works by Peter Weidenbaum can be found in various private and public collections including the Wood&company, Czech Republic, the Jewish Museum of Belgium, the Museum of New Zealand, the Province of Flemish Brabant, the University Hospital Brussels, the Brussels-Capital Region, the Municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, the Brussels-Capital Government, the Flemish Community Commission, and Museum De Domijnen in the Netherlands. 

Weidenbaum lives and works in the province of Liège Belgium and in Hradec Králové Czech Republic. And is represented internationally by Jiri Svestka Gallery in Prague.

Text by Pieter Willemen, Antwerp 2023

Belgian artist Peter Weidenbaum paints "The Valley" a painting from the Holzwege series in 2020. Here we see Weidenbaum at work while talking about Gustave Courbet, and his way of painting.

Movie on youtube: Weidenbaum paints a Landscape