In 2026, Japan and Belgium will celebrate 160 years of friendship and diplomatic relations. In this context, the Zedes Art Gallery, under the patronage of the Embassy of Japan in Belgium, presents an exhibition dedicated to the Belgian artist Patrick Gerola, whose ongoing commitment contributes to cultural exchange and the forging of artistic ties between the two countries. Patrick Gerola was born in Brussels in 1959 into a family of artists. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels and then worked as a set designer for Maurice Béjart’s ballet “Mudra.” He moved to Japan in 1983 and set up his studio there. The country would profoundly transform him, sparking an artistic renaissance within him. Straddling figuration and abstraction, tradition and innovation, Patrick Gerola draws inspiration from both Japanese and European cultures. He uses the ancient “fresco” technique and develops a mixture of resin and natural pigments called “Iwa Enogu,” used in Nihonja painting. This true alchemy reconnects with traditional Japanese painting techniques, providing maximum light and transparency, while respecting both time and the harmony of nature.