Jesse Tomballe

Jesse Tomballe, a Belgian artist, crafts a fictitious realm where characters find themselves in various scenarios.

Biography of Jesse Tomballe

Jesse Tomballe was born in 1986 in Antwerp, Belgium. He completed his education with a Master's degree in painting from the Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp in 2009. Additionally, the artist teaches painting at SLAC in Leuven, Belgium.

Tomballe's exhibition history includes a solo presentation titled 'New Friends, Old Habits' at The Wunderwall, Antwerp (BE) in 2022, participation in group shows like "Gaverprijs 2022" at CC De Schakel, Waregem (BE) and "Unmute" at Bib Tweebronnen with SLAC teachers, Leuven (BE) in 2021; "The Human Condition II" at Kusseneers Gallery, Brussels (BE) in 2019 with Charif Benhelima and Marjam Najd.

He has also participated in various group shows, including "Paradijs" and "The Self" at Bib Tweebronnen, Leuven (BE) in 2018 and 2017 respectively, and exhibitions such as "Provoking the Unreal," "George, Jack and Gerard," "Magma Crowded," "Series," and "MAGMA Expo" in different years and locations in Antwerp (BE) from 2013 to 2015.

Currentlym the artist resides and works in his hometown Antwerp, Belgium.

Jesse Tomballe's Art Style

Depending on the subject matter, Tomballe works with various formats, aiming to achieve a naturalistic representation. His primary focus when painting figures or portraits extends beyond merely depicting specific individuals; instead, he delves into their use in an allegorical context. In doing so, the artist endeavors to bridge the gap between reality and imagination.

During the painting process, the figure and its surroundings gradually materialize, with stylistic considerations taking precedence over the theme. The inspiration for a painting's subject or character can stem from various sources, such as imaginative impressions, observations, art history, or memories. Occasionally, figures are entirely fabricated, while in other instances, they are composed of diverse references, spanning from discovered imagery to people nearby who serve as models.