Panamarenko (1940–2019), born Henri Van Herwegen in Antwerp, Belgium, was a visionary artist, engineer, and inventor celebrated for his imaginative and boundary-defying creations. Known for his unique blend of art and science, Panamarenko explored themes of flight, space travel, and movement, crafting intricate sculptures that often resembled futuristic vehicles, aircraft, or machines.
His works were not merely art objects but also conceptual experiments, combining engineering principles with poetic imagination. Panamarenko’s sculptures, often made from materials like metal, rubber, and fabric, reflected his fascination with human ingenuity and the dream of conquering gravity. While many of his machines were not fully functional, they embodied the essence of exploration and innovation.
Panamarenko exhibited widely throughout his career, earning recognition as a key figure in contemporary art. His works have been showcased at the Venice Biennale and numerous international museums and galleries. Today, his creations are part of prestigious collections, including the S.M.A.K. in Ghent and the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA), cementing his legacy as one of Belgium's most celebrated and inventive artists.
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2014
Panamarenko Universum, MuHKA, Antwerpen
2007
Atelier Panamarenko, MuHKA, Antwerp
2005
Panamarenko, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, New York
Vogelmarkt, Antwerpse Luchtschipbouw, Antwerp
Panamarenko, Gallery Mulier Mulier, Knokke
Retrospectieve - Flying Saucers and Devil Rowlers Motorcycle Club, Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Brussels
2004
Hinky Pinky Prova and Brazil, Antwerpse Luchtschipbouw, Antwerp
Te land, ter zee en in de lucht, Flemish Parliament, Brussels
Scotch Gambit, Deweer Art Gallery, Otegem
Multiples, Istanbul
Multiples, Hangar 7 (Red Bull), Salzburg
2002
Mulier Mulier Gallery, Knokke
2000
Orbit, Dia Foundation Center for the Arts, New York
1992
Scimitar, Mulier Mulier Gallery, Knokke