Self-taught artist Guillaume Bijl is mostly recognized for his alternative take on conceptual art, his desire to directly engage the viewer, and his Transformation Installations started in the late 1970s.

In these works he realizes meticulous imitations of everyday realities in galleries and museums, mainly focusing on trade and exchange locations—whether in commodities, information, or skills.

One of his most famous pieces is his groundbreaking Lustrerie Media installation shown in Art Basel in June 1984 for which he transformed the entire booth of his gallery into a light shop.

Bijl’s practice is however much richer and more diverse and largely goes beyond this landmark series. This reference monograph thus reveals the scope of his thinking and art during the last four decades.

Built around a comprehensive essay by notable art historian and writer, John C. Welchman this book spans the early Treatments (1975–1978) to the on-going Transformation Installations, Situation Installations, Compositions Trouvées, and Sorry bodies of work.

Grounded in and marked by a number of economic, social, and cultural conditions Bijl’s works are a stimulating reflection and synthesis of our current times.

Published with Cultuurcentrum Mechelen, Mechelen.