Professional Education
- Music Education: Studied at the Conservatories of Antwerp and Ghent (subjects included music theory, flute, chamber music, transposition, music history). Additional training with Professor Schwegler at the Musikhochschule in Cologne.
- Career in Music Education: 40 years of experience as a teacher in the Part-Time Arts Education (DKO) system, focusing on flute, instrumental ensemble, and coordination, primarily at the Municipal Conservatory of Mechelen. Member of various ensembles.
- Specialization in Art Bookbinding: Graduated with a specialization degree in art bookbinding at the IKA (Institute for Art and Craft) in Mechelen, under the guidance of Françoise Bausart.
- Woodworking/Furniture Making: Training in woodworking and furniture making at the CVO/Crescendo in Mechelen.
Work: Conceptual Book Art
Contrary to traditional bookbinding, where the book is primarily seen as a vessel for literature, conceptual bookbinding starts, as the name suggests, from a concept. The resulting books have a completely different function and meaning. They are used to give shape to the concept—often they are blank, made of recycled paper, or have an unusual format—creating space for interpretation by the viewer. These works are characterized by their layers of meaning, often reflected in the title (wordplay). Other important factors include the aesthetics of the design, symbolism (numbers and colors), humorous elements, social criticism, and ethical questions.Exhibitions
- IKA Graduation Project: September 2020
- Book Art from '84 to Now: Group exhibition at IKA, May 2022
- Zemst Artists' Route: Group exhibition, July 2022
- Bound and Unbound: Solo exhibition at Library Het Predikheren in Mechelen, October 2022
- JAN/MARC/RIT: Joint exhibition with Jan Wellens (painting) and Marc Schelstraete (painting) - Ghent, Hof van Ryhove, November 2022
- Unbound Bound: Galerie M, Mechelen, September 2023
- Schelstraete & Schelstraete: Duo exhibition with Marc Schelstraete (painter) - IKA Mechelen, November 2023
- Kunstvestdagen: Group exhibition in Mechelen, May 25-26 and June 1-2, 2024
- Cadzand: Duo exhibition with An Bruloot (paper art) - Cadzand village, July 20 to August 9, 2024
