On display at Flanders House will be American and Flemish work by 10 Flemish illustrators. The exhibition was curated by Pieter Van Eenoge. In the U.S. there is a growing interest in cartoons made by these illustrators. The 10 illustrators are: Tom Schamp, Sam Vanallemeersch, Brecht Vandenbroucke, Frederik Van den Stock, Jan Van der Veken, Sebastian Van Doninck, Pieter Van Eenoge, Ellen Van Engelen, Anton Van Hertbruggen and Klaas Verplancke. They have all worked for American publishers of books, magazines and journals, and prestigious publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times are particularly interested in the high quality of their work. Some of their books have recently been translated into English and distributed by American children’s books publishers. A selection of their American publications is on view in the conference room. Flemish comics and illustrated children’s books are a highly developed and well-known art form. Drawing on the Belgian tradition set by Tintin and The Smurfs, comic artists from Flanders are developing their craft into art. This evolution is gaining even more international recognition. The same applies to illustrators from Flanders, who renew, adapt and expand techniques established by our world-famous artists since the Middle Ages. Although all these artists have the same heritage in common, they all search for a straightforward, very personal, and recognizable style. Did you know the word cartoon originated in Italy and France in the 17th Century? And that the French carton was used for "a drawing on strong paper (used as a model for another work), "and Italian cartone "strong, heavy paper, pasteboard," thus "preliminary sketches made by artists on such paper?”

Flemish literature can certainly claim to be proud of its past, present, and future. Flanders does not only have a rich literary heritage, it also produces some of the finest Dutch-language literature to date. The international attention for illustrated youth and children’s literature, graphic novels, and comic books has risen sharply over the past decades. Cutting edge craftsmanship is not only the baseline and strength of the region of Flanders but also of its creative talents.

About the curator

Pieter Van Eenoge was born in 1976 in Bruges, Belgium. In 1999 he graduated from Sint-Lucas Ghent and then started as an independent illustrator. He has made illustrations for magazines, editors, posters and advertising, and took part in numerous exhibitions. Pieter has won several awards: 3x3 Pro Show gold medal of The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration. Last year (2013) he won the Society of Illustrators gold medal and the Communication Arts Award of Excellence for Illustration, which is one of the most-coveted awards in the industry.

A New Wave of Talent! is open to the public every weekday (excluding holidays) between 3 pm and 5 pm. If you want to view the exhibition, please let us know 24 hours in advance for security reasons by emailing us at info@flandershouse.org or calling us at (212) 584 2200.