Guillaume Bijl

1946 - 2025

Born in Antwerp (BE), died in Antwerp (BE).

On June 15th, Belgian artist Guillaume Bijl passed away at the age of 79. Bijl, known for his immersive installations that blurred the lines between reality and artifice, leaves behind a body of work that continues to challenge, provoke and gently unsettle.⁠

Emerging from the Antwerp art scene in the late 1970s, Bijl began crafting hyperreal reconstructions of everyday spaces — a driving school, a dog grooming salon, a discount carpet store — transforming them into museum installations. Through these meticulously staged environments, he revealed the theatrical absurdity and quiet melancholy of consumer culture, inviting viewers to reflect on truth, illusion, and the performative nature of modern life.⁠

Born in Antwerp in 1946, Bijl remained deeply rooted in the city throughout his life — both personally and artistically. As a key figure in the M HKA collection, his work holds a central place in the museum’s narrative. ⁠

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the many who were moved by his singular vision.⁠

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