Ilja Van den Broeck

I am Ilja Van den Broeck (2003), and I’m an illustrator based in Antwerp. I’m currently studying for a master’s degree in Applied Arts at Sint Lucas Antwerp, where I also completed my bachelor’s in Illustration.

Drawing has always been part of my life. Even during high school, when I studied Latin and mathematics, the edges of my notebooks were filled with sketches. I took drawing classes at the local academy from a young age, but it wasn’t until after high school that I decided to fully follow my passion and pursue illustration.

My work often starts from personal experience and observation. To get inspiration, I like to go outside. I can endlessly watch the beautiful colours and shapes our world has to offer. And then, of course, I can’t resist capturing it all on paper. I enjoy working with my hands and like to keep my process playful and intuitive. I use a mix of materials like pencil, pastel, paint, and collage. Besides illustration, I also experiment with photography and sewing, which helps me explore and express ideas in different ways.

SKU: ilja.van.den.broeck@telenet.be Category: Onboards_25

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This artwork is a portrait of me and my brother, made with acrylic paint and oil pastels on paper. It is part of my master’s project — a personal exploration of life with my extraordinary brother. We grew up together, yet very differently. He was born with a profound mental disability that keeps his mind forever young: mentally, he remains at the level of a six-month-old, even though he is now 21.
As the narrator, I reflect on our relationship and the role he plays within our family. This image captures the ever-shifting nature of our connection — moments of closeness alongside times of distance. Sometimes, we truly connect. Other times, he seems to drift into a world entirely his own. There are moments when I would really like to peer inside his mind, to understand what he sees and feels — but I cannot. Through this project, I hope to offer an intimate glimpse into the reality of living with disability — not only its challenges, but also its moments of tenderness and love.

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