Filip Vervaet - Sedimental Journey

Filip Vervaet takes a relatively common, kitsch domestic ornament and subjects it to a variety of processes that transform it into an ambiguous artefact that looks like something unearthed in an archaeological excavation. The work exemplifies how many of Vervaet’s works possess a timeless quality, appearing simultaneously ancient but possessing details that are impossible to date accurately. Vervaet also looks to geology as an impetus for his work, what Robert Smithson refers to as “the layers of prehistoric material entombed in the Earth’s crust”. Ultimately, Vervaet’s work demonstrates a desire to create mysterious objects that would best be described as numinous. Originating from the Latin word numen meaning.

Over the years, Belgian artist Filip Vervaet (b. 1977, Mechelen) has developed his own visual language. Using the most diverse materials - from classic bronze and metal to special coatings used for car tuning and colour filters - he merges various elements into a special universe. Art-historical references, references to civilisations, whether existing or not, and allusions to science fiction come together in sculptures that dwell in the twilight zone between past and future, while exploring the limits of the medium.

Editing and sequencing: Filip Vervaet & Uber&Kosher
Design: Uber&Kosher
168 pages
18 x 24 cm
English, Dutch
Publication date: May 2020
ISBN: 9789077207840

Text by: Padraic E. Moore