Portrait of an Asian Girl

Jean Willy Mestach was born in Ghent in 1936 and became one of Belgium’s most authentic post-war artists, working as a painter, sculptor, and assembler with a distinctive poetic voice. Largely self-taught, Mestach developed a highly personal visual language that blended primitive forms with a raw, expressive energy, often incorporating found objects and weathered materials into his compositions.

He was deeply influenced by Art Brut and outsider art, but his work retained a warmth and humanism that resonated with collectors and fellow artists alike. Mestach’s art is marked by his love for texture and materiality—rusted iron, wood fragments, wire, and everyday discarded objects were transformed into powerful, soulful works that explored the tension between fragility and strength.

Throughout his career, Mestach exhibited in Belgium and internationally, gaining recognition for his ability to capture the essence of the human condition through simple yet evocative forms. His pieces often evoke tribal masks or totems, radiating a quiet spirituality that connects the viewer to something timeless and universal.

Jean Willy Mestach’s work is held in numerous private collections, and his sculptures and assemblages continue to inspire contemporary artists and collectors who appreciate authenticity and depth in art. He passed away in 2014, leaving behind a legacy of works that speak to the poetry found in the everyday, reminding us of the beauty that can emerge from the overlooked corners of the world.