Kobe

Kobe (pseudonym of Jacques Saelens, (Kortrijk, Belgium 4 September 1950 – Saint-Julien, Var, France, 26 October 2014) was a Belgian visual artist and sculptor.

Early life Kobe studied in Belgium, at LUCA School of Arts in Schaerbeek (1969–1974) and the Academy of Fine Arts in Kortrijk (1969–1977), where he discovered the importance of drawing for a sculptor. At the age of 25 he travelled for one year to Central America and South America, where he was greatly taken by the ample forms of generously endowed local matrons. Around 1992 Kobe started experimenting with flat shapes, which led to a typical style of wide and thin sculptures.

Career In 1995 he became an independent sculptor and worked in Pietrasanta (Tuscany, Italy) close to the many bronze foundries and the marble quarries of Carrara.

Publications Ingenious Cheerful Simplicity (art catalogue – 1995 – hardcover – 57p. – NL/FR/EN/DT/IT) (published by Robinsons Art Gallery) (selection of Kobe's first sculptures) Herinneringen (Veertig Vlamingen en hun geliefkoosd kunstwerk) (monograph – 2016 – hardcover – 252p. – NL/EN/FR) (written by art critic Johan Debruyne and Albin Saelens) (monograph about the life of Kobe and most of his artworks) Masterpieces (art catalogue – 2018 – hardcover – 26p. – NL/FR/EN) (published by Robinsons Art Gallery) (selection of marble sculptures) Kunstmo(nu)menten (the bronze artwork De Grote Aanvoerder (The Great Captain) is mentioned in this book that takes the reader on an art route through Beveren)