The artistic practice of Melissa Van Havere revolves around animals.
Through her work, she seeks to question and illuminate the current relationship and dynamics between human and non-human animals.
She critiques the various ways our society is mistreating animals; the mass slaughter, consumption and confinement of animals, experimentation on animals, etc.
To express her ideas, she uses a range of techniques including painting, sculptures, performances, and installations.
Her work can be recognised by the bright use of colors and a playful, naïve style.
She primarily works with oil paint on canvas, ceramics and papier-mâché.
The goal of her work is to encourage reflection on our relationship with the animals we share our planet with.
She hopes to raise awareness about the absurd and often ‘inhuman’ ways we treat them.
By approaching these themes in a lighthearted manner, she aims to plant a seed of empathy, one that inspires change from within. She doesn’t want to create shocking images that push people away, but rather works that invite genuine reflection about what is happening around us.
It’s very important to Van Havere to help people recognize animals as individuals with a free will and emotions just like us; that deserve our empathy and respect.
Born in 2000 in Herentals, BE
Living in Berlin, DE
* Education *
Master in the autonomous arts – Sint Lucas Antwerp | 2025
Bachelor in painting – Sint Lucas Antwerp | 2024
* Public performances *
Snailtrail, T-Space, Antwerp – 06.09.2025 | With Richard Klapwijk
As we became snails, ArtTelex, Antwerp – 10.07.2025 | With Richard Klapwijk
The end of the life of the lice – 11.06.2024
* Residencies *
GlogauAIR - Berlin - 2026
Het Bos - Antwerp - 2025
* Exhibitions *
To be, Antwerp – 29.11.2025
Groenkwartier Antwerp – 16.10.2025
Eat this, CC de Schakel – Waregem – 19.09.2025
Vruchtbare grond, Het bos, Antwerp – 18.09.2025
Remnants II, T-Space, Antwerp – 06.09.2025
Verdwaald op de parking, Bargiekaai, Ghent – 01.08.2025
Onboards Biennale, Antwerp – 14.07.2025
It continues, ArtTelex, Antwerp – 11.07.2025
Graduation tour, Sint Lucas Antwerp – 18.06.2025
Alles Behalve, Fabriek Noord, Antwerp – 28.03.2025
Hanging ground, Fabriek Noord, Antwerp – 17.01.2025
To be Antwerp, Kavka Oudaan, Antwerp – 29.11.2024
The birds I view, Blikfabriek, Hoboken – 21.06.2024
Curtain Raiser, Sint Lucas Antwerp – 20.12.2023
The circle is rond, Sint Lucas Antwerp – 21.06.2023
Het Residu, Sint Lucas Antwerp – 17.05.2023
Art Walk, Lichtekooi Artspace, Antwerp – 22.12.2022
De angst van de schilder om te schilderen, Sint Lucas Antwerp – 8.12.2022
GlogauAIR - Berlin - 2026 Het Bos - Antwerp - 2025