What do you see when you envision the future of the Belgian creative scene? For us, we see diverse, unique perspectives, representative of the world around us. That is exactly why we have been working on our 20-something issues since 2014. These editions feature 20 people in their (pre-)twenties who are a guide, an inspiration or an Earlybird for the young generation of today in Belgium. It is the greatest honour to step into the minds of some of the most innovative young people in Belgium; and learn about their dreams, fears, inspirations and even their celebrity crushes. This year’s list was co-curated with Kevin Kotahunyi, founder of Please Add Color.
What do we & our readers need to remember about you?
If there’s one thing I would like people to remember from my work and my personality is that it’s OK to not have everything figured out.
What artists are you listening to?/Which records are you playing most right now?/What book are you currently reading?/Which film have you enjoyed lately?
The song I’ve been listening to the most these days is Reggie’s ‘Ain’t Gon Stop Me’ and my favourite book right now is James Barnor: Accra/London - A Retrospective. I can’t get enough, his subjects look so effortless.
What makes your heart go faster these days?
What makes my heart race these days is the little sunshine we’ve been getting these days even though it’s still cold.
What are you doing daily at 9 pm/9 am?
At 9 am I am probably in the boulangerie next to the atelier to get some doughnuts for breakfast and then I go eat at the atelier. At 9 pm on a good day, I’m tattooing but on a bad day, I’m tattooing too.
On a good day, I’m tattooing but on a bad day, I’m tattooing too
What’s your personal utopia?
My personal utopia is to be free. Free to be me.
What brings you satisfaction?
Nothing in this world gives me greater satisfaction than food.
How do you relax?
I have the perfect combo to relax. I turn my phone off. I look for a good documentary or a good drama movie. I put it on while I cook. Let the food do what it does in the pot while I roll a joint. The rest is magic.
What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people?
I listen to Frank Sinatra’s ‘I love you baby’. It is not a source of inspiration but it’s something I always do when I’m working long hours in the atelier. I don’t know why but there’s something about that song.
What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?
In 10 years I want to be doing exactly what I’m doing now but better. I hope that in 10 years I’m still hungry for knowledge.
What is the latest/future project you are working on?
I’ve been working on a series attacking the relationship between minorities communities and the sports they mainly practice. Also, the stereotypes that are born from this relationship. The next project I’m working on is building a strong portfolio and website.
What will the second part of 2022 bring you?
The second part of 2022 will bring me more blessings!
Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life?
I don’t think there’s not one single individual that influenced me more than others. I see it more as I am a vessel through which various experiences happen to go through. My work is just the end result of that action.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately?
Recently there was this nice lady called Josi that told me something. ‘On choisit pas la tête qu’on a mais celle qu’on fait’, I know it’s very simple and basic but I also think it’s very deep because we are all born into a situation that sometimes surpasses us. Yet we have to remember that we are responsible for what we do with that situation. Like it or not.
Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention?
Yes, her name is Gladys Bukolo and she’s about to be legendary!
Comfort food/speciality dish?
Madesu na loso (rice and beans but done in the traditional Congolese way)
Celebrity crush?
I don’t have a celebrity crush.
Most irrational fear?/Most rational fear?
I don’t know which one is the rational fear and which one is irrational but I fear that one day I might lose my sight and go blind. I don’t know what I would do without colour in my life. Another fear is that one day I’ll get a call, that something happened to my baby bro. He is only 16 but he looks older. Might be the police or some other people that may think that he is tougher than he really is.
I don’t know what I would do without colour in my life
If you were a cartoon character in a show, what would be your uniform?
It would be without a doubt a white-t, brown Dickies and flip-flops with socks haha!
What were you like as a child?
When I was a child I was always in my head. Constantly dreaming. Sometimes I felt like my surroundings didn’t even matter. I could just dream my way out of places.
If there was a book about your life, what would the title be?
Something to write about.
Biggest red flag?
The biggest red flag for me is people that talk too much.
Biggest dream?
It’s not much of a dream for me but more of an objective. I want to be the best artist that I can be. I’ll be one of the greats.
Favourite quote from a book/movie/show/song?
‘Is love deeper than a wishing well?’
I heard it in a song and it’s forever stuck in my head. I don’t think it’s my favourite sentence but I do know that I’ll probably do a series of painting around that.
Photos shot by @gaellemwb
Different Class works with the interest of their community at heart.
Our work’s purpose is to foster a solid network for independent artists, those who love them, and those who want to support them. Become a member to contribute to the local Belgian art scene.
Our membership plans
