Artist Statement 

Matthieu Claus (b. 1977, Kortrijk) moves between abstraction and figuration, constantly exploring the potential transformations of his materials. Discarded and used materials serve as the starting point for images that evolve layer by layer. Claus scrapes, paints over, and revisits his work; what disappears remains present as a trace within what follows. His paintings bear the marks of an ongoing process in which every layer becomes part of the final image. Through scraping, covering, and revealing, a layered composition emerges where different moments converge. Elements that appear worn, forgotten, or lost take on a new presence and meaning. Fragmentation and restructuring thus become part of the visual language, imbuing the material with a new history. Claus invites the viewer to look beyond what is immediately apparent. Rhythms, structures, and relationships emerge between the layers, slowly revealing themselves. Abstraction arises not only from form and color but also from the tension between what becomes visible and what remains hidden. In this way, time, material, and memory come together to create a unique and personal image.