Isabelle SCHELTJENS
Biography
Artistic Statement
“I assemble thousands of hand-cut pieces of coloured glass, layer upon layer, fuse them at high temperature, and watch as my eye—together with
the light and distance—reveals a portrait from what seems at first an abstract field. My work explores how proximity transforms perception.”
Biography
Born in Belgium in 1981, Isabelle Scheltjens is an internationally acclaimed contemporary artist celebrated for her vibrant glass portraits that merge technical precision with emotional depth. She studied at SISA – the Antwerp City Institute for Decorative Arts and Crafts, where she
developed a strong foundation in composition, colour theory, and craftsmanship.
Early in her career, Scheltjens was inspired by the work of her husband, Dirk Neefs, whose creative influence encouraged her to experiment with glass as an expressive medium. After years of research and experimentation, she developed her own unique glass-fusion technique, which she calls “the art of fusing colour and light.”
Her process involves cutting thousands of small pieces of coloured glass, carefully arranging them in layers, and fusing them together at high temperatures. From close up, the works appear as abstract mosaics of glass fragments; viewed from a distance, they reveal strikingly realistic
portraits. This play between abstraction and realism—between chaos and harmony—gives her works a captivating duality reminiscent of pointillism, translated into a modern, sculptural form.
Scheltjens’ portraits explore human emotion, identity, and perception. Each piece captures a fleeting expression or mood, crystallised in glass—a material both fragile and eternal. Her works invite viewers to reflect on how light, distance, and perspective transform what we see.
Since 2015, Isabelle Scheltjens has exhibited her works in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States, gaining international recognition for her innovative approach to contemporary portraiture. Her art has been presented by leading art galleries worldwide.
Today, Isabelle Scheltjens continues to live and work in Grobbendonk, Belgium, where she creates
her mesmerising portraits that transform glass into a language of light, emotion, and movement.
Exhibitions
2020
Canfin Gallery, New York - USA, Solo Show
Opera Gallery, Dubai - Emirates
The Boutique Gallery, Cape Town-Franschhoek - South Afrika
Galerie Paul Janssen, Saint-Tropez - France
Oxholm Gallery, Copenhagen - Denmark, Solo Show
Gallery Van Dun, Oisterwijk - The Netherlands
The Boutique Gallery, Sint-Martens-Latem & Knokke - Belgium,
Solo Show
Belair Gallery, Gstaad - Switzerland
Belair Gallery, Venice - Italy
Opera Gallery, Hong Kong
Okker Gallery, Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Galerie Bartou x, Honfleur – France
BelAirFineArt, Genève - Switzerland
Belair Gallery, Paris - France
Belair Gallery, Monte Carlo - Monaco
Belair Gallery, Crans - Montana - Switzerland
Belair Gallery, Verbier - Switzerland
Belair Gallery, Mégeve - France
Gallery RED, Mallorca - Spain
2019
Galerie Paul Janssen, Saint-Tropez - France
The Boutique Gallery, Cape Town - Franschhoek - South Afrika
Canfin Gallery, New York - USA, Solo Show 1/4 - 30/4
Galerie Bartou x, Mégève - France
Galerie Bartou x, Courchevel - France
Galerie Bartou x, New Bond Street, London - UK
Galerie Bartou x, Avenue Matignon, Paris - France
Galerie Bartou x, Cannes, Croisette - France
Galerie Bartou x, Saint-Paul-de-Vence - France
Galerie Bartou x, Honfleur - France
Okker Art Gallery, Amsterdam - The Netherlands
The Boutique Gallery, St-Martens-Latem - Belgium
Belairfineart, San Marco - Venice - Italy
The Boutique Gallery, Knokke Zoute - Belgium
2018
The Boutique Gallery, Cape Town-Franschhoek - South Afrika
Canfin Gallery, New York - USA
Modus Gallery, Paris - France
Ransom ART, London - UK
Galerie Bartou x, Mégève - France
Galerie Bartou x, New Bond Street, London - UK
Okker Art Gallery, Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Modus Gallery, Paris - France, solo show
Galerie Paul Janssen, Saint Tropez - France
Galerie Bartou x, Avenue Matignon, Paris, - France
Galerie Bartou x, Cannes, Croisette - France
Galerie Bartou x, Saint-Paul-de-Vence - France
The Boutique Gallery, St-Martens-Latem - Belgium, solo show
Galerie Bartou x, Honfleur - France, group show
2017
Galerie Grulier, Courchevel - France
Galerie Giardino, Maastricht - The Netherlands
Okker Art Gallery, Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Opera Gallery, Dubai
Opera Gallery, Hong Kong
Galerie Paul Janssen, Saint Tropez & Grimaud
France
Canfin Gallery, New York - USA, Solo Show
The Boutique Gallery, Cape-Town-Franschhoek
South Africa
Ransom Art - London UK
Galerie Bartou x, d’Art Elyseés, Paris - France
Galerie Bartou x, New Bond Street, London - UK
Galerie Bartou x, Croisette, Cannes - France
Galerie Bartou x, Saint-Paul-de-Vence - France
2016
Balo Living In Style, Antwerp - Belgium
Galerie Grulier, Courchevel - France
Opera Gallery Dubai, Monaco, Hong-Kong
Galerie Paul Janssen, Grimaud & Saint-Tropez
France, Solo Exhibition "Wood, Glass & Plexi"
2015
Balo Living In Style, Antwerp - Belgium
Galerie Grulier, Courchevel - France
Opera Gallery Dubai, Monaco, Hong-Kong
Galerie Paul Janssen, Grimaud & Saint-Tropez
France
Art Fairs
2019
Scope , Miami Beach - USA
Art MIAMI, Miami - USA
2018
Art Palm beach - USA
Art Up Lille - France
Kunstrai Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Art Breda - The Netherlands
Scope , Miami Beach - USA
ART FAIR - Luxembourg
2017
Art Breda - The Netherlands
PAN Amsterdam - The Netherlands
ART FAIR - Luxembourg
Scope , Miami Beach - USA
2016
Art Fair - Luxembourg
represented by Galerie Paul Janssen,
Grimaud & Saint-Tropez
Antibes Art Fair, Antibes - France
represented by Galerie Paul Janssen,
Grimaud & Saint-Tropez
Artworks
Behind Blue Eyes
Serendipity
