biography
Henry Whysall (b. 1977, Antwerp) discovered his love of art at an early age, sparked by a childhood trip to Florence and nurtured by inspiring teachers.
He studied architecture at Heriot Watt University in Scotland before committing fully to painting at Saint Martins College of Art in London. Over three years, his practice shifted from figurative work to experimental process painting, blending wax, plaster, and pigment to subtly evoke the human form.
Rooted for years in East London, Henry drew on science and experimentation, tracing visual echoes between the microscopic and the cosmic, and delving into the strange histories of alchemy. At the heart of his practice lies a deep sensitivity to the sensuality and poetry of materials.
A move to Venice in 2015 brought new influences: Byzantine mosaics, sacred iconography, and the luminous tones of Murano glass were mirrored in his jewel-like, small-scale works. Returning to Antwerp in 2019, he turned to monochrome with expressive grisaille paintings, before reintroducing bold colour in 2022. His recent abstractions unfold as textured, intricate landscapes, the culmination of years of exploration.
In 2024, Henry established a new studio in the historic centre of Antwerp, where his vibrant, material-led practice continues to evolve.
“Painting finds its vitality in matter itself.
It becomes a pursuit of a beauty that is always shifting—never fixed.
Between the microscopic and the monumental, surfaces emerge layered like living topographies. While traditional symbols may appear, they often lose their sacred weight, becoming instead evocative forms—glimmering, melancholic, and sensual.
Ultimately, painting is a space where abstraction allows the raw poetry of materials to speak, to vibrate, to resonate beyond language.”