An Exclusive Interview with NICK ERVINCK

NICK ERVINCK (° 1981) graduated in 2003 from the KASK (Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Ghent) with a master's degree in Mixed Media.

-  Paula Soito

He then trained in computer modeling, sculpting, and working with materials such as polyester, plaster, and wood. After teaching at art academies in Tielt, Menen, and Kortrijk (2004-2012), he returned to the KASK to spend three years as a visiting professor. His work consists of large installations, handmade and 3D printed sculptures, ceramics, prints, drawings, lightboxes, and animated films.

Ervinck is fascinated by the negative space as he discovered it with classical sculptors such as Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. The finding that a hole in matter is such a young idea will probably haunt him for the rest of his life. As a child of his time, he plays a varying game between the physical and virtual world, using both classic and new craftsmanship (computers, 3D printing, and milling).

From here, he explores in his own unique way classical themes such as a man (with a focus on his anatomy and the emergence of cyborgs), plants (especially their genetic manipulation), masks and animals, always starting from an (art) historical background that he cut with contemporary pop and sci-fi culture. He has received several international prizes, including the Prix Godecharle (2005), The Fortis Young One's Award (2006), the Provincial Prize for Fine Arts West Flanders (2006), and the Rodenbach Fund Award (2008). In 2013 Ervinck also won the prestigious Merit CODA Award for his art integration IMAGROD.

In 2009 Ervinck was praised for WARSUBEC, a monumental project created for the Zebrastraat cultural site in Ghent. Many public and private assignments also followed, including EGNOABER, Emmen; IMAGROD, Ostend; REWAUTAL, Sotogrande; LUCE, Amersfoort; TSENABO, Tielt; and WIBIETOE, Anderlecht.