Olivier Pestiaux explores the sensitive interrelationships between humans, environments and narratives. Inspired by the ecosophy of philosopher Felix Guattari, he attempts to incorporate his work into a mental, social and environmental ecology through a systemic approach.

His multidisciplinary training in architecture and philosophy, combined with diverse experiences in media and social work, is aligned with a committed approach.
Olivier Pestiaux’s approach is collaborative. He perceives the work of art not as an object but as an arrangement to transform the ways of perceiving, feeling and inhabiting the world. For the past three years, he has been actively working to consolidate the Sambre2030 project, which he initiated. Conferences in Belgium (ISELP, FWB Directorate, UCL) and abroad (Switzerland, Armenia, France and China). Collaborations on the cultural and artistic aspects of this project with L’Eden in Charleroi, the Museum of Photography in Charleroi, Le Delta in Namur, the Haute-Sambre Cultural Centre in Thuin and Le Manège in Maubeuge. Associated with research conducted around the Sambre River by several Belgian, French and international universities. 

Selective bibliography:

Constellations, Edition de la Lettre Volée, 2026
Entry ‘Sambre’ in Dictionnaire des Droits de la Nature (Dictionary of the Rights of Nature), coordinated by Professors Delphine Misonne, Marie-Sophie de Clippele and Sacha Bourgeois Gironde, PUF, Paris, 2026
Sambre, Vers une personnalité de la rivière ? In Art et Recherche, Brussels – With the collaboration of Marine Yzquierdo. Collective work (coord. Céline Chazalviel) – 2026
Imagine Magazine, July 2024, « Au Source du Parlement de la Sambre » (At the Source of the Parliament of the Sambre), Christophe Schoune
Le Vif, November 2021, ‘Name dropping: Three names to follow (among many others)’, Michel Verlinden
Le Vif, November 2021, «Entre Sambre et Meuse» (Between the Sambre and the Meuse), Michel Verlinden
Focus – Le Vif / L’Express, November 2020, “Eloge de la sidération” (In Praise of Astonishment), Michel Verlinden
The Drawer#17 Drawing magazine – Rose, 2010
La libre Culture, 28 August 2019 “Art et Nature : Pestiaux à Thozée” (Art and Nature: Pestiaux in Thozée), Roger Pierre Turine
Le Vif / L’Express, 29 August 2019, « Prendre soin du regard » (Taking Care of the Gaze), Michel Verlinden
L’Echo, 4 March 2017, ”Voyage dans l’au-delà” (Journey into the Afterlife), Bernard Roisin
Mu-inthecity, May 2014, “A livre ouvert” (An Open Book), Muriel de Crayencour

Group exhibitions:

2024 NATURE AND LANDSCAPES, Guangzhou Museum, China
2022 SANS VUE, CENT PERCEPTIONS – Le Delta – Namur
2022 ART ACROSS BORDERS – Frédérick Moureaux Gallery – Brussels
2022 COSMOGRAPHIES – Odradek – Brussels
2022 MAGRITTE DU CINÉMA (for the creation of the poster) – Square – Brussels
2022 CONSTELLATIONS – IRSA – Brussels
2021 DANS UN PLI DU TEMPS – Art et Marges – Musée d’Art Brut de Brussels
2020 PROGRESSION interplay music/drawing with musicians G. Frisch and V. Kraus – Casino – Luxembourg Contemporary Art Forum
Residency at the invitation of artist Patrick Muller as part of his exhibition SITTING FOR DECADES (reinterpretation of Alvin Lucier’s major work, ‘I am sitting in a room’) – Curator: Kevin Muhlen
2020 CHAMBRES AVEC VUES – Abattoirs de Bomel – Namur Cultural Centre (exhibition cancelled after installation – Covid)
2019 INSTANT(S) DE VÉRITÉ(S) – Residency for the 30th anniversary of the Résidence L’Escaut – Brussels – with Francis Alÿs, Edith Dekyndt and Denis Pondruel
2019 THE DRAWER – Marian Goodman Gallery Bookshop – Paris
2019 THOZEE – Fonds Rops Residency – Thozée
2019 INK BRUSSELS – Odradek – Brussels
2019 KNUST FESTIVAL – Brussels
2017 RESILIENCE – Hangar H18 – Esther Verhaeghe – Art Concepts – Brussels
2015 REVELATION(S) – IRSA – Brussels

Exposition solo:

2021 ENTRE SAMBRE ET MEUSE – Détour Gallery – Jambes
2020 LA NATURE AIME À SE VOILER Odradek and Peinture Fraîche Gallery – Brussels
2018 VARIATIONS – Odradek – Brussels
2014 GRATITUDE – Art Concepts – Esther Verhaeghe – Brussels