Lode Laperre

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lode Laperre. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lode below.

Hi Lode, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Even at a young age, I knew I wanted to become an artist. After studying fine art in Brussels (Belgium), I set about developing myself fully. As a person, because as an artist you have to find the right attitude. But also by developing my own visual language, because that is how you try to distinguish yourself from other artists.
But then something special happened. My brother Joris, with whom I was inseparable, moved to the Far East more than 20 years ago for professional reasons, specifically to Bangkok (Thailand). Shortly after he left, I went to visit him there. I was very surprised by what I experienced there. Life, the people, society, manners and visual languages… it was all so different from what we know in the West. However, I did not experience it as a culture shock, for I soon began to feel at home there, even though I could not immediately explain why. Having decided to learn as much as possible about that Eastern way of life and those cultures, I travelled back home. Once home, I soon realised that there is actually not much knowledge about the East in the West. Neither from erudite friends, nor in libraries or knowledge centres, could I glean much wisdom about Asia. It then became clear to me that I would have to travel to the East myself to find out more. That’s what I did back then, and I still do it today: every year, I travel to Asia at least once for an extended period. In this way, I have visited many countries, met people, made friends and gained knowledge. But my focus and passion for the East have also guided my artistic goals. I increasingly noticed that my visual language – in paintings, sculptures and installations – was being influenced by the East. At a certain point, I resolved to build my body of work further around one central theme: the unification of Western visual languages with Eastern visual languages. This has become the most important underlying current in my work and has guided my life. This unification of visual languages is also a metaphor for tolerance, for the unification of peoples, ways of thinking, manners, and so on. So it is not just about the art, but about the attitude. I am therefore very grateful that my intentions have also been recognised in Asia, as my work is frequently exhibited not only in the West, but also in the East.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

It is important to choose a path that fits seamlessly with your character and personality. I am naturally curious and eager to learn. As an artist, for example, I also listen to a lot of music (classical, jazz or alternative) or podcasts (on history, philosophy, society). I look up a lot of facts in books or online to grasp the essence or background information… I try to observe the subjects that interest me from as many different angles as possible. You can also recognise that combination of versatility, the gathering of knowledge and a critical mindset in my art. My paintings, for example, have become so tactile and rich in texture that they almost become sculptures. On the other hand, some art critics regard my sculptures as paintings. And my installations bring everything together. My visual language is also ambiguous: there is not only the convergence of Eastern and Western visual elements, but also the fusion of tradition with innovation, of abstract images with recognisable ones, of the cosmic with the earthly, of the whole with the detail … My art is a multifaceted melting pot. But the result—which is what the viewer ultimately sees—is a clearly recognisable, strongly personal artistic style. My works are easily recognisable by my personal touch.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three key elements that define my career are: determination, perseverance and authenticity. By determination, I mean that it’s important to stay focused. You may occasionally face criticism, but always try to view it as a learning opportunity and don’t let it discourage you.
Perseverance: every journey, every career, every story faces setbacks from time to time. Don’t let them paralyse you. Einstein did not view ‘failed experiments’ as negative outcomes, but as necessary steps in a process. (Einstein is known for his brilliant theories, but he also spent a great deal of time on theories that turned out to be incorrect.) It took me twelve years to create my first paint sculpture. I had to come up with a lot of solutions to technical difficulties, because paint isn’t really designed to create solid, three-dimensional objects. I’ve always kept the faith, though, and never even thought of giving up.
Authenticity is a key factor in your attitude and work. Choose a path, approach, subject and goal that are fully in line with your character and beliefs. Don’t try to create an improved copy of something that already exists, but start from yourself.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

I have been fortunate that my parents passed on certain special qualities to me – whether through their upbringing or through my genes. My mother was extremely diligent in her work. She was the driving force behind the family business – a weaving mill – which my grandparents had founded. She handled all the company’s administrative work. That diligence and professional dedication had a profound influence on my personality.
And my father was very creative, with an artistic flair. He made ceramic sculptures, drew and practised calligraphy. From a young age, he took us to exhibitions and museums, both at home and abroad.