By Nana Japaridze
From her serene garden in Uruguay, Belgian-born artist Eva Claessens continues a decades-long journey that began in her early childhood. She is known worldwide for her poignant and moving paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works—pieces that capture the delicate balance between power and fragility in the human body. Below is an edited and organized interview with Eva, drawn from a lively conversation about her life, inspirations, and artistic vision.
A Brief Biography
Born in 1971 in Belgium, Eva Claessens grew up with an early sense of certainty about her calling as an artist. While her parents encouraged her to earn a diploma first, she remained steadfast in her passion for painting. At just eighteen, she moved to Italy, studying at the Academia dell’Arte in Perugia and working in the studio of painter Romano Stefanelli.
Over the years, her work has led her to far-flung corners of the globe: the United States, Jamaica, Israel, India, and eventually Uruguay, where she now lives and works. In each locale, Eva has honed her approach to color, form, and technique. Her art frequently features the human form—often in its most vulnerable, nude state—to express fleeting emotions, tenderness, strength, and connection.
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