Jesse Tomballe (°1986, Antwerp, Belgium) creates an imaginary world in which characters are portrayed in different situations. The figure and its surroundings gradually emerge while painting, with stylistic considerations taking precedence over the theme. A certain subject or character for a painting can have multiple origins whether based on impressions out of imagination, observation, art history or from memory. In some cases, figures are made up, at other times they are assembled from different sources, ranging from found imagery to people nearby acting as models.
Depending on the subject matter, he works on different formats and aims for a naturalistic representation. His main interest when painting figures or portraits is not confined to the representation of certain individuals but lies rather in their use in an allegorical sense. In this way, the artist wants to bridge the gap between reality and imagination.
http://www.jessetomballe.com
Exhibitions
'Don't think twice, it's all right', Gallery Sofie Van de Velde, Antwerp, BE
'Waiting for Summer', Gallery Sofie Van de Velde (South), Antwerp, BE.
‘New friends, old habits’, solo presentation at The Wunderwall, Antwerp , BE. Groupshow, ‘Gaverprijs 2022’, CC De Schakel, Waregem, BE.
‘Unmute’, Bib Tweebronnen, groupshow with teachers of SLAC, Leuven, BE.
‘The human condition II’, groupshow with Charif Benhelima, Marjam Najd, Kusseneers Gallery, Brussels, BE.
‘Paradijs’, Bib Tweebronnen, groupshow with teachers of SLAC, Leuven, BE.
‘The self’, Bib Tweebronnen, groupshow with teachers of SLAC, Leuven, BE.
'Provoking the unreal’, SMK31, Antwerp, BE. 'George, Jack and Gerard’, SMK31, Antwerp, BE.
'Magma crowded', Antwerp, BE. ‘Series’, C.A.P.S, (BORGER#4) Antwerp, BE.
MAGMA expo 5, Antwerp, BE.
MAGMA expo 3, Antwerp, BE. MAGMA expo 2, Antwerp, BE.
MAGMA expo 1, Antwerp, BE.
Jesse Tomballe Waiting for summer, 2023 Oil on canvas 180 x 130 cm
Jesse Tomballe Meisje met Citroenen, 2023 Oil on canvas 180 x 130 cm
Jesse Tomballe De Ochtend, 2023 Oil on canvas 130 x 180 cm
Jesse Tomballe The Flower Detective, 2023 Oil on canvas 50 x 40 cm
Jesse Tomballe Me Time, 2023 Oil on canvas 100 x 74 cm
Jesse Tomballe Bubble, 2021 Oil on canvas 45 x 60 cm
Jesse Tomballe Daddy's girl, 2022 Oil on canvas 50 x 40 cm
Jesse Tomballe Forbidden pieces, 2019 Oil on Panel 40 x 30 cm
Jesse Tomballe Meisje a/h zwembad, 2022 Oil on canvas 40 x 30 cm
Jesse Tomballe The collector of the last light bulb (bird's eye view), 2022 Acrylic on canvas 30 x 24 cm
Jesse Tomballe Timothy, 2019 Oil on panel 13,5 x 17,7 cm (framed)