Perbal / Bélibaste

Magali Perbal (*1969, Antwerp, Belgium) and Walter Geerts (*1964, Geel, Belgium) a married couple, who form the artistic duo Perbal/Bélibaste. They are self-taught artists, and before starting such a career, they had pursued entirely different academic and professional paths.

Walter, with a background in industrial chemistry and a decade-long job in a major chemical company, followed by independent contracting in renovation works, made later a significant shift towards organic and biodynamic agriculture. Magali, on the other hand, traveled to Brazil to study Naturopathy. Unfortunately, this journey didn’t last long and so she resumed her studies in Antwerp, but without completing them. After working for a few years as an environmental coordinator at The Body Shop, Magali, who had been a mother since 1995, consciously decided to halt her professional career to take care of her six children. In the meantime, she invested her time also in completing training in creative child therapy and grief counseling and for a short while, she carried on her own practice. She also engaged in volunteer work within special juvenile care and was the chair of the Waldorfschool board for six years. In 2012, Walter and Magali founded Milagrow, an organic farm in Aartselaar, in the province of Antwerp, specializing in vegetables, beef cattle, and arable farming.

As they both grew up in an artistic family, their creative nature has always been present. However, because uncertain about her significant skills, Magali began producing her art only in 2017, strongly encouraged by their artist friend Ingrid Rosschaert. The latter regularly sought practical advice from Walter for her own works and eventually persuaded Magali to work in her studio. Six months later, Magali presented her first solo exhibition, called Fijn Wild.

Their collaboration as an artistic duo began after a challenging period. Walter fell ill, but after his recovery, the couple, more united than ever, realised the importance of pursuing what they truly love: art. Art became the common thread weaving through their lives, leading to the decision to form a duo. Their artistic practice is characterised by a lack of formal training, but shaped by their life experiences and a desire to retain creative freedom. The couple’s decision not to be influenced by external sources reflects their preference for a self-directed, trial-and-error approach.

Their first exhibition as Perbal/Bélibaste, titled Aka ito - a Japanese term meaning “red thread”, took place on two occasions: initially in 2020 in Shelle and the following year in Antwerp. The exhibition delved into the confrontation between life and death, exploring feelings of fear, sadness, but most importantly, courage. The color red symbolizes life, love, and blood. For them, the thread has the power to establish connections or sever them, whether delicately interwoven or tightly bound.

The duo avoids specific labels of artistic movements, describing their art as expressive, a mix of mediums, materials and methods. They express their creativity through figurative representations, occasionally venturing into the abstract. Moreover, their affinity with the philosophy of wabi-sabi and kintsukuroi permeates their art. The interpretation of these Japanese concepts is reflected in the imperfection of the materials they use, gathered from nature or second-hand sources. These materials are of crucial importance because they carry their own stories and souls, highlighting the strong bond between the artists and nature. In fact, nature holds a special place in the hearts of Perbal/Bélibaste, providing not only inspiration but also a refuge for clearing their minds and collecting materials.
Furthermore, they demonstrate a strong commitment to the environment through climate-neutral practices in their home and studio. Their dedication reflects a profound belief in caring for the Earth, especially for the future. They use their art and lifestyle to promote positive change, implementing ecological systems such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and waste separation, both in their home and studio. In their artistic creation, they choose eco-friendly materials and paint with recyclable colours or self-produced blends using natural pigments and chalk. Even the packaging reflects aesthetics and eco-friendliness, with certified lightweight wood boxes and recycled covers, encouraging reuse in art galleries. They also demonstrate commitment in their travels, preferring road transport over air travel to reduce carbon footprint, especially for European destinations.

Perbal/Bélibaste consider themselves storytellers, translating deeply touching moments of their lives into images and words. Their artistic process serves as a dialogue with themselves and a reflection of their relationship with society. Inspired by everyday life and global events, their impressions spark an inner movement that manifests in their artwork. The stories they tell emphasise the positive, offering a unique perspective on life’s challenges and enriching experiences.