Karel Fonteyne

As a child, Belgian photographer Karel Fonteyne spent a lot of time in nature. This enhanced his innate sensitivity to the world around him, with its specific vibrations and intangible, elusive dimensions. Admittedly, nothing pointed to him becoming a photographer back then. It was South American literature by Borges, Marquez and Corthâzar that eventually opened the door to photography for Fonteyne. After studying art in Antwerp, he began his prolific career as a photographer. Fonteyne almost immediately gained recognition through exhibitions at the Museum of Fine Arts (Brussels) and the Royal Palace on the Meir (Antwerp). In 1980, he moved to Italy, where he got into fashion photography – without making any compromises! With his impetuous imagination, but also invariably with a touch of humour, Fonteyne took fashion out of its conformist context in magazines like Vogue and Bazaar, and placed it in a new, narrative universe. Emerging Belgian designers such as Martin Margiela, Dries Van Noten, Walter Van Beirendonck and Dirk Bikkembergs also called on him at the time.

works