Curriculum

Biography

Filip Firlefijn was born in 1979 in Wilrijk, Belgium. After finishing secondary school, he studied German Studies at the University of Leuven, where he obtained his Master’s degree in Dutch and English literature in 2005. Becoming a teacher was not exactly his ambition, and an academic career was not an option at the time. So far, he has only published books privately – although one or two might still be available in the Humanist Library of Leuven (Boon Stand Hier en Nu – without publisher and unfortunately without editor).

His family often spent their holidays in the Bernese Oberland. After a family member developed a chronic illness and moved to Switzerland for health reasons, Filip eventually followed – first after an unsatisfactory job search in Belgium, and then through seasonal work in the hospitality sector. Altogether, he worked for one year as a waiter.

In Switzerland, however, his professional career was mainly in sales. He assisted in the project development of several family businesses and, in that context, eventually became a branch manager and deputy director. Later, Firlefijn also worked for Swiss companies (as well as subsidiaries of foreign firms) – as branch manager, consultant, salesperson, cashier, warehouse clerk, customer service agent, and administrator. After learning the regional language, career opportunities in the local economy nevertheless remained limited, given the rural and strongly touristic nature of the area. His business talent also manifested itself in his art, where he aimed to turn expenditures of CHF 60,000 into a return ten times greater.

Unfortunately, with relatively little success compared to his evident talents and activities, he eventually described himself as an outsider. Workplaces often became discriminatory environments. Moreover, reconciling the Swiss 42-hour workweek, along with (forced and at the same time penalised) overtime, proved difficult for someone wishing to progress creatively on the side.

Alongside his jobs, Firlefijn also worked on a smaller scale as a social media manager, graphic designer, web designer, and photographer (fashion, products, advertising, etc.). He was also active as a tour guide and teacher. In 2023, he joined the board of a partly subsidised public school – the Volkshochschule Interlaken und Umgebung.

As a 46-year-old single outsider, he is now in urgent need of financial success – to secure new art and creativity, and to ensure freedom on multiple levels – including, in a personal sense, the possibility of a family of his own.

Education

Secondary school: Latin/Mathematics, Sciences/Mathematics

Master’s degree in German Studies (Dutch and English Literature), 2005

Including additional interfaculty Master’s courses:

• Philosophy of Art, Art Criticism, Film History

As well as Bachelor’s courses such as:

• History of Egypt and other historical subjects

• Ethics, Philosophical Anthropology, and Psychology courses

And university-level courses such as:

• Art History, Construction

Art and Photography Exhibitions

US

Artexpo New York, Artifact booth, New York – 2023

Artifact, “Continuity”, New York – 2022

ARTBOX.PROJECT New York 1.0, Artbox Projects @ ARMORY ART Week, Stricoff Gallery, New York – 2018

Spectrum Miami, booth 513 (Arttour International), Miami – 2021

ARTBOX.PROJECT Miami 2.0, Artbox Projects @ ART BASEL Week, Miami – with photography – 2019

Berry Lee Shoes, shoe store, Los Angeles – solo – 2013

Zenith Art & Fashion, art and fashion gallery, Miami – 2019

UK

Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, “Butterfly Effect”, online due to Covid – 2022

Parallax Art Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall, London – 2017

IT

ARTBOX.PROJECT Venezia 2.0, @Biennale, Venice – 2024

Anima Mundi – ITSLIQUID International Art Festival, Venice – with photography – 2019

1st International Art Biennale of the World, Palermo – 2021

SP

ARTBOX.PROJECT Barcelona 1.0, Artbox Projects, Barcelona – 2021

CH

Art Exhibition Filip Firlefijn, October 11–20, Bahnhofstrasse 31, Interlaken – solo – 2024

ARTBOX.PROJECT Basel 1.0, Artbox Projects @ ART BASEL Week, Basel-Mulhouse Airport – 2017

Artbox Gallery, Zurich – 2019–2021

ARTBOX.PROJECT Zurich 1.0, Artbox Projects @ Bahnhof Zurich, Zurich – 2019

Bundesplatz Bern, Bern – solo – 2016

Hotel Dorint Blüemlisalp, @ Erich von Däniken Symposium, Beatenberg – solo – 2017

Kunstnacht Brienz, Brienz – 2014–2017

Square2, Interlaken – solo with artworks – 2022, solo with photography – 2011–2013

Restaurant Horn, Interlaken – solo – 2017–2022

Neuhaus, Interlaken – solo – 2017

Congress Interlaken, @ David Garrett concert, Interlaken – solo – 2016

Wineart Restaurant, Interlaken – solo – 2014–2016

Schloss Interlaken, Interlaken – solo – 2014

Vertigo Gallery, Interlaken – solo – 2014

Kunst-ufem-Marktplatz, Interlaken – 2014

Blaue Mäntig, Kultur & Bar, Interlaken – solo – 2013

Movie World, Interlaken – solo with artworks and photography – 2011–2013

Jungfrau Zeitung, Interlaken – solo with photography – 2011

Kulturgarage, Interlaken – artworks and photography – 2011

DE

Ostrale '11, Dresden – 2011

Awards

Outside the mainstream. Galleries and organizers who support artists in gaining recognition.

KULeuven / Germania Competition

Publications