Charline Tyberghein

Charline Tyberghein’s paintings are composed of abstract geometric patterns, optical illusions and small symbols. Her work balances comedy and tragedy. The beautiful colours, playful shapes, and optical illusions give a cheerful impression. However, these find a counterbalance in the sometimes dark undertones of the symbols she paints, such as a noose, or a weeping candle.

Typical of Tyberghein are the optical illusions in her work. These started somewhat accidentally. During her studies, she studied the trompe l’oeuil painting technique of French-Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely. She found such peace in this illusionistic way of painting that she started experimenting with it herself.

It may be surprising in these times of digital technology that Tyberghein does not digitally design her optical illusions before she starts painting. The artist is very decided about this: she does not work with computers. It is important to her that everything is created manually. Thus, for her, each painting is an exercise in how a pattern behaves during her working process. Because of this, she also does not know what a painting will look like until it is finished.