The Silent Witness

Nelson de Bok (1999) graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp in 2024, majoring in Printmaking and Drawing. Influenced by his parents’ careers in journalism, he channels his social engagement into themes such as war and injustice. To this end, he combines etchings, oil and bistre paintings, sculptures, and drawings. Nelson de Bok combines craftsmanship and classical compositions with the need to convey a message in a contemporary way. In his work, he introduces selfmade “stand-ins” that serve as characters. In this way, he creates a dark world that prompts reflection, yet at the same time invites viewers to appreciate the image on its own merits, regardless of the theme being explored.

The Silent Witness is Nelson de Bok’s first solo show. His exhibition brings together two major influences: his father’s journalistic legacy and his grandfather’s artistic world. These two men, each in their own way, shaped his perspective and laid the foundation for his artistic career.