Atelier Forton
Atelier Forton represents the creations of Belgian designer and entrepreneur Laurent Forton. His work spans various disciplines: from oil and acrylic paintings to high-end Solid Surface Corian sculptures, playful and tactile textile creations, and bronzes crafted using the lost-wax casting method. The combination of these materials results in a surprising fusion. Artfully crafted in the Flemish Low Countries.
From an early age, Laurent Forton (°1961, living in De Haan, studio in Lissewege near Bruges, Belgium) developed a keen interest in technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
After graduating with an engineering degree, he ventured into the business world by founding a plastics processing company where technology and innovation became the guiding principles—a daring initiative at the time. Time and distance have never been an obstacle for Laurent in his global search for high-quality techniques, from the US to South Korea. His philosophy: seeing brings knowledge, knowledge sparks skill, and personal contact builds mutual trust. He boldly enters collaborations without ever compromising his own vision and authenticity.
As a designer, fabricator, and craftsman, his drive remains inherently innovative. Self-study, experimentation, and developing sometimes utopian ideas are second nature to him. At the same time, he embraces the rich heritage of his roots. He works with canvas made of locally sourced linen—the very material that once brought prosperity to the Low Countries and sowed the seeds of the Northern Renaissance and humanism. This era saw the rise of a new social class, the bourgeoisie, with an appreciation for beauty, festivity, and culinary delight—elements that are clearly reflected in his diverse works today. His motto, ‘Plus est en vous’, dates back to the 15th century and is derived from Louis of Gruuthuse (c. 1422–1492, Bruges).
Over the years, the need to express his own creativity grew stronger. This drive manifests itself in the paintings, installations, and objects he currently creates. For the past few years, he has been exploring the synergy between art and craftsmanship through Projects with a capital P. Each Project is a unique reflection of an intended goal, carrying a specific emotional aura or a social message, often with a subtle touch of humor in the background. Frequently, these works emphasize women's empowerment and right to existence in a simple yet powerful way. His oeuvre comes across as eclectic, refreshingly innovative, and often unpredictable.
Atelier Forton is located in the artistic village of Lissewege, near Bruges.