I love creating scenes in which figures take different positions and shapes. They are subjected to a relentless search for balance. Often within themselves, but also in relation with others and their surroundings. The characters often float away or take off. They do not seem to be subjected to the forces of nature. Other times they are exposed to a very strong and present gravity. They then fall down and seek support from each other, lean against each other to ultimately result in a stilled version of a memory, an alternative reality or a reflection.

In general, I work as much as possible straight from my memory, since I want it to be my main advisery. I make prelimenary sketches and try not to look too much to added images. That way I am getting as close as possible to a stilled version of an initial impression or memory that constantly gets intertwined with the thoughts of the moment.

With my recent paintings in “Of Course I Still Love You” I keep floating between fiction and reality. Influenced by Science Fiction adventures, the continuous search for new worlds, the current rapid developments in space travel and exploration, and the groundbreaking discoveries in science.
Dreams about new ways of living are now being developed by today’s scientists and engineers to create a new reality for tomorrow. Looking back at the fantasies and dreams of the past and their ideas about their future inspires me to dream and fantasize about our new possibilities, undiscovered worlds and the research and journey towards them.
A big part of my recent work therefore focuses as well on another perspective; the backstage, the intense preparations, the unseen exercises and many test phases that precede the adventures and discoveries.

The title of the show and the homonymous exhibited painting is, in addition to being strong, energetic and hopeful, also a reference and tribute to a drone ship and a large landing platform controlled by a fully autonomous robot that was commissioned by SpaceX, for the landing back of the booster engines of the rockets that lift off to space – a milestone achievement for the future space exploration and our upcoming trips to the Red Planet and further.
He, in turn, derived the name from the science fiction novel “The Player of Games” by Ian M. Banks and thus fiction keeps creating reality which in turn continues influencing fiction.

Michaël De Clercq
– Antwerp, Belgium –