In Diego Boonen’s (b.1993) practice, the storytelling aspect plays a central role. Boonen, a true autodidact, considers painting a method to tidy up an, at times, overflowing brain. An imaginative, childlike intellect is probably one of the greatest wealth indicators one can have today, Boonen believes. He regards his work as a direct manifest of incoming impulses.
Yet the inspiration behind Boonen’s work is not merely imagination. Many of the scenes or characters in his paintings are a twist on actual experiences. Diego Boonen thus invites us to approach his work, despite its high figurative content, the way one looks at abstract works - with the same liberal mind and interpretation.