Synopses & Reviews
With few words and gorgeous style, a cartoonist takes aim at the hypocrisies of the art worldWhite Cube is the Belgian cartoonist and illustrator Brecht Vandenbrouckes debut book, a collection of mostly wordless strips that follow a pair of pink-faced twins as they attempt to understand contemporary art and the gallery world. Their reactions to the art they encounter are frequently comedic, as they paint over Pablo Picassos famous mural Guernica, and re-create a pixelated version of Edvard Munchs The Scream after receiving one too many e-mails.
Lushly painted, these irreverent strips poke fun at the staid, often smug art world, offering an absurdist view on the institutions of that world—questioning what constitutes art and what doesnt, as well as how we decide what goes on the walls of the gallery and what doesnt.
Vandenbrouckes distinctive work blends the highbrow with the low, drawing equally from Gordon Matta-Clarks site-specific artwork and the Three Stooges slapstick timing. With a knowing wink at the reader, Vandenbroucke continuously uncovers something to laugh about in the stuffiness and pretentiousness of the art world.
Review
“[
White Cube is] one of the best books weve seen all year . . . Following two pink-faced men . . . as they trot gleefully into artistic establishments and deal with contemporary art in a naïve yet scathing way, this [book] is both hilarious and . . . genius.” —
Its Nice That“Vandenbrouckes paintings are full of humor and irreverence.” —Juxtapoz
About the Author
Brecht Vandenbroucke is a Belgian cartoonist and illustrator. Since graduating from art school a few years ago, he has worked for numerous periodicals, including The New York Times, and has participated in group shows all over the world. His first solo exhibition took place in February 2013.