• Writer who likes to explore the boundaries of literature
• Sees similarities between Rubens and ... Dua Lipa
• Seeks collaboration with visual art(ists)
• Completes her ninth novel in public seclusion at the KMSKA

Rubens over my bed

"As a child, I discovered the works of Rubens in an art book. I fanatically tried to draw my own little Rubenses. A while later, during my first visit to the KMSKA, I was completely overwhelmed by those fleshy bodies, by that excess. Most of all, I wanted to take a Rubens home with me. It was wonderful to finally see those works of art with my own eyes. An encounter like that is a bit like a performance by, say, Dua Lipa. You may like the album, but in the end you want to see her in person."

Japanese

“Drawing or writing? As a child, I made no distinction. I was always doing both. In the Japanese language I saw word and image coincide. For example, the Japanese word for home is also really an image of a house. Isn't that beautiful? I eventually did choose the word, but also continue to look for encounters with the visual arts."

Chicken and tower

"I have continued to make art until I was eighteen. I occasionally participated in exhibitions, and once, for a performance, I even had myself locked up in the tower of the Leuven city park. In the company of ... a chicken. A nice precursor to the art project The Author is Present that I set up with Inge Jooris for the KMSKA. Although this time, I'm going into seclusion in front of the audience. This way the dream of a Rubens in my bedroom will come true after all (laughs). And art and words will coincide again."

Dessert

"I would love to go on a date with artist Alice Neel and writers Rachel Cusk and Virginia Woolf. Three strong-willed, fascinating women. Who are not inclined to compromise. This is also the reason why it's best they don't join until dessert. Would their meeting lead to a quarrel or just total connection? It’s a toss-up. What would I order for them? A heavy custard for Woolf, something complex with passion fruit for Cusk and a hearty piece of chocolate cake for Neel. I myself, as a unifying factor, would have all three. It's not that I have such a sweet tooth, it's because I just want to listen to the conversation starting up between my guests."