Frank JMA Castelyns travels the world as an artist looking for a philosophy. Significant events and symbols stimulate his senses and his empathy, resulting in images with sensitizing qualities and a beautiful simplicity. The aesthetic layer always comes first, then the deeper layer of meaning which is supported by the ‘memory triggers’ of the images. Memories have the tendency to fade away slowly, but a word, an image or an association can stir up these memories. Maybe Castelyns’ images are mainly ‘reminders’, symbols with a great sentimental value, originating from the sensitive intellect and stimulating on an intellectual level. In each image a mental plan unfolds which entails rich art and social historical stories, traditions, images or characters. The inherent landmarks stimulate the observer to recollect and discover stories, messages or meaning. Sometimes meaning can be exciting, sometimes even shocking, or open but it is always sensitive. Castelyns’ art travels between different worlds, marking common ground. (Adriaan Gonnissen)
