Biography
Filip Firlefijn (born 1979, Wilrijk, Belgium) is a Belgian multidisciplinary artist, writer, and photographer based in Switzerland. His work moves across literature, visual art, photography, design, and film, combining a classical humanities background with a broad contemporary practice.
He studied Germanic Languages and Literature at KU Leuven, where he earned a master’s degree in Dutch and English Literature in 2005. His academic formation also included courses in philosophy of art, art criticism, film history, art history, ethics, philosophical anthropology, psychology, construction, Egyptology, and other historical subjects.
Alongside his studies and later professional life, he developed an independent creative path shaped by writing, image-making, and conceptual thinking. His projects range from large-scale portraits and expressive drawings to photography, essays, screenplays, and digital design. Several privately published works, including Boon St. and Here and Now, are archived in the libraries of KU Leuven.
Professionally, Firlefijn has worked in a wide variety of sectors, including hospitality, sales, customer service, retail management, administration, and project development. In Switzerland he held roles such as branch manager, deputy manager, consultant, salesperson, customer service representative, and administrative assistant. Until March 2026, he also served on the board of the Volkshochschule Interlaken und Umgebung.
His diverse experience informs a body of work that values both discipline and imagination. Whether through text, image, or interdisciplinary research, his practice explores identity, perception, memory, and the creative possibilities of form.
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Beyond his artistic practice, Firlefijn has held positions in management, consulting, sales, administration, and customer-facing roles in Belgium and Switzerland. This diverse experience contributes to the grounded and interdisciplinary character of his work.
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
DE
Ostrale '11, Dresden – 2011
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
Awards
Outside the mainstream. Galleries and organizers who support artists in gaining recognition.
IT
Effetto Arte / Art Now / Russo
5th International Prize Leonardo da Vinci, National Museum of Science and Technology, Milan – April 5, 2023
Artistic Career Award 2023, Teatro del Casinò, Sanremo – September 16, 2023
4th International Prize Leonardo da Vinci – February 6, 2022
International Prize Ambassador of Art – 2021
International Prize Dante Alighieri – 2021
The Best Modern and Contemporary Artists – 2021
Art Olympic Prize – 2021
International Prize David Michelangelo – 2020
UK
Contemporary Art Collectors
Harmony for Humanity – The Global Consciousness Art Prize, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine – August 12, 2023
International Art Award Voices of Tomorrow, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine – May 5, 2022
Collector’s Vision International Art Award, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine – 2021
Power of Creativity Art Prize, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine – August 7, 2021
US
Artbox Projects - CH project
Miami 2.0, semi-finalist, photography, Dance on Water
BE
KULeuven / Germania Competition
2nd place, short story, “The Return of Things”, Germania 2002, Blauwe Kater, Leuven – 2002
Honourable mention, poetry, “Contract”, Germania 2002, Blauwe Kater, Leuven – 2002
Publications
Art in America Yearbook
Artsy.com
Art Universal – The Great Encyclopedia of International Art
The Best Modern and Contemporary Artists
International Contemporary Art Magazine (multiple times)
Spotlight Magazine (multiple times)
Wir Zeitgenössisch
ArtTour International
Jungfrau Zeitung (multiple times), local newspaper
Berner Oberländer, regional newspaper
Publications related to exhibitions and awards
(1st International Biennale Palermo; Anima Mundi ITSLIQUID International Art Festival; Ostrale ’11; ATIM Exhibition Sales Catalogue – ArtTour International Magazine; Art Now Awards; Art Olympic Prize …)
Communications of the Leuven Germanists’ Association, Vol. 33 (2020), No. 1
Der Literaturpreis, Germania 2002, publication of the three best short stories and poems as well as honourable mentions – 2002 (2nd prize short story and honourable mention poetry)