Stichting Kunstboek BVBA – förlag

Jordi Gómez: Unlimited showcases the dynamic visual world of photographer and multi-disciplinary artist Jordi Gómez, capturing his 25-year journey. From his early analog work to his exploration of digital photography, this collection highlights his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects with a signature blend of fantasy, glamour, and sex appeal. Born in 1978 near Barcelona and based in Ibiza since 2002, Gómez draws inspiration from hedonistic Ibiza and global cities like London, Miami, and Tokyo. His eclectic portfolio includes geisha, sumo wrestlers, ballerinas, models, and celebrities from music, fashion, and sports. Pushing creative boundaries, Gómez merges photography, graphic design, and AI to craft immersive installations. His art extends beyond galleries into hotels, restaurants, and private collections, even appearing on furniture, fashion, and wine bottles.Jordi Gómez: Unlimited is a tribute to his limitless imagination and groundbreaking artistic expression.Text in English and Spanish.

Ikebana and music may seem like two very different worlds, but they actually have more in common than meets the eye. Both require a keen sense of creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to bring together various elements in a harmonious way. Even though there are many similarities between both, such as rhythm, patterns and harmony, perhaps the most intriguing link between music and floral design is the concept of mood and emotion. Just like how different types of music can evoke various emotions in us, flower displays and ikebana arrangements also have the ability to convey certain feelings. The expressive nature of music and Ikebana brought us the inspiration for the book Music inspires Ikebana. Inspired by the title, the era, the lyrics, the overall mood, the melodies, the tonality, the structure, rhythm and patterns of five very different pieces of classical music – in different genres and styles, from baroque to the 21st century, and from subdued and minimal to loud and energetic – ikebana artists from all over the world came up with a very interesting and refreshing mix of designs.

The footprint of modern-day floristry is considerable, however ideas and techniques from the past can be the solution to help create a sustainable future for the sector. In this fact and inspiration filled book, florists Max van de Sluis and Per Benjamin go as far back as the Stone Age and Ancient Egypt to find out about flower use, techniques and materials throughout the ages. They show us how intricate floral designs were made without single-use, non-compostable or non-reusable materials, and how these often simple, but clever and inventive ways can be adapted and upscaled to create contemporary ‘greener’ floral design.

Japanese floral designer Katsumi Yamasaki is known worldwide for his distinctive approach to working with flowers and greenery. His dedication to craftsmanship and his openness to collaboration have made him a respected figure in the international floral art community. His creations have been exhibited globally and featured in leading publications. Central to Yamasaki’s philosophy is the belief that plants possess their own soul. He values every moment spent working with them and seeks to reveal their natural character through his arrangements. For Yamasaki, designing is a way of accompanying flowers on their journey - from his hands to their final destination. In this first monograph, Yamasaki shares his most cherished designs and offers insight into the inspiration, sensitivity, and vision behind his work.Text in English and Japanese.

Leave the Light on is Annelore Desmet’s tribute to women. Her captivating images are like poetry without words, but their beauty goes beyond the pretty picture. Suggestive and mysterious, these photographs tell a compelling story of authenticity, seduction and feminine power. Annelore Desmet knows better than anyone that beauty is more than skin deep. With her trusted camera and light as her sole ally, she manages to meticulously capture every model’s essence, uniqueness and energy. For Annelore, photography is more than a craft. It is an intuitive journey wherein she completely surrenders to her instincts and embraces the moment. Or, as Henri Cartier-Bresson once said: "It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart and head." Text in English and Dutch.

MortAmour is a quiet homage to nature and to the delicate boundary between life and death. Photographers Bart Moeyaert and Patrick Vanryckeghem bring lifeless animals and living models together in intimate, striking compositions that balance stillness and emotion. Their images transform loss into a form of gentle reverence, offering moments that feel at times personal, at times glamorous, but always honest. Each animal, having died naturally, is granted a symbolic second life through art. The resulting photographs linger as soft, visual reminders that life - no matter how brief - remains extraordinary.Text in English and Dutch.

The ultimate reference in every rose-lover's library! The mysterious story of a more than four-centuries old quest for the black rose. Does the black rose exist, or has it ever existed? The complete history of this noble flower, based on authentic research, shows that the quest goes back to the very earliest botanical writings - references to dark roses cropped up in the early European botanical literature. Their further evolution can be easily traced by rose drawings, from the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century. Later, rose collections came into existence, rose collectors became famous and, from the end of the eighteenth century, rose gardeners received more and more recognition for their selections.This prestigious book, in a velvety soft cover, brings the full story of the black rose, based on original research, from the oldest historical images to the most recent developments, and prominent florists of world-renown show their creations with roses.

The history of orchids teems with tales of temptation and passion. This stunning book combines the most luscious and tactile photographs with surprising and informative texts about orchids. The first part of the book tells the tale about the discovery of orchids through history and describes the way in which orchids are perceived. In the East the emphasis lies mainly on positive characteristics, grace and generosity. In the West orchids personify procreation and sex. Why are orchids the way they are? Why those amazing, complicated shapes? Why those incredible colours? In Orchid: The Fatal Attraction Anne Ronse discusses everything orchids have stood for in the course of history.

Ryusaku Matsuda is generally considered one of the most important and influential 'masters' of traditional and modern Japanese floral art. He has been the head of Studio Matsuda since 1993 and has written several highly acclaimed and successful books that never fail to surprise. What drives him are the motives of a true artist: 'I've tried to discover the reasons why I create works that take both so much trouble and time and I've realised that my motives are likely to stem from my desire to spend as much time with plants as possible'.

Young, gifted and promising. Russian Zhanna Semenova is a forerunner in innovative and creative floral design. Her art is testimony to her tremendous craftsmanship, sheer technical mastery and her very unique personality. Combining both creativity and craft, this young talent will undoubtedly grow out to be one of the leading ladies in floral art of the 21st century. Zhanna Semenova was the winner of the Golden Leaf in the book International Floral Art 08-09 published by Stichting Kunstboek.This monograph full of stunningly photographed and awe-inspiring designs will convince whoever was still in doubt of Zhanna Semenova's very unique gift.Text in English & Russian.

In this book, photographer Henk van Cauwenbergh introduces us to the marvellous worlds of matador Jean-Baptiste Jalabert (France) and prima ballerina Francesca Docli (Italy). The public's favourite 'Juan Bautista', born in Arles, France and ballet dancer Francesca Dolci, a flamboyant member of the Les Ballets de Monte Carlo, are the representatives par excellence of a world in which sports and art seamlessly melt together. Follow both top athletes/performers during their daily preparations, become a privileged witness to the particular rituals preceding each performance and be a spectator of a dazzling sham fight at the Mediterranean!Text in English, French and Dutch.

Seven years after his first book, Bart Lens and his team Lens°Ass show how the direction they have chosen can lead to fascinating projects. The formulation of a clear and precise concept forms the basis of every single design. A concious choice of materials and elaborated detailing bring forth creations that express tranquility and serenity. The clear line-work emphasises the pure emotions that originate in the union of design and light. The great care that goes into the elaboration of the interior in all its facets is a constant preoccupation for Les°Ass. The book presents a wide variety of projects: new constructions, remodelling assignments, interior designs, even objects such as furniture and lamps. The introduction of a basic idea, a theme, forms the foundation of every project, no matter what its scale might be. This same vision is also the starting point for the recent large-scale architectural projects.Text in English and Dutch.

Seventeenth century Flanders was a cultural hotspot for both the fine and decorative arts. With well-established ports in Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent, it became an important transit region for both the export of local produce and the import of highly ornamental luxury products and valuables, such as lacquer boxes and ornamental lacquer cabinets imported from the Orient. These oriental high-gloss items, richly inlaid with wood and intricate mother of pearl motives, were built to stand the test of time. As the demand for these luxury items increased, Flemish craftsmen mastered the skills and techniques and created their own lacquer tradition. They didn't merely imitate Oriental lacquer decoration, but designed a peculiarly Flemish lacquer style that has long been overlooked in art history. This is the first comprehensive book on 17th century Flemish lacquer works and an in-depth study to help preserve the skill and the survival of this part of Flemish cultural heritage.

Waterlily Pond speaks to those looking to make a truly unique aesthetic statement. Fusing Eastern and Western design principles, the San Francisco based floral design company creates innovative customised floral art. Waterlily Pond has become recognised for their outstanding artistry, and for crafting exceptional, large-scale works commissioned by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the deYoung Museum. And the service doesn't end with flowers. Waterlily Pond offers complete event design for weddings and corporate and social events. Studio owner and lead designer Natasha Lisitsa is known for using bold flowers in adventurous colour combinations and a variety of interesting natural materials. Natasha has a reputation for seeking out the freshest and most exceptional flowers and materials, from exotic orchids to French silk ribbons. Her work has been described as modern, free-spirited, exotic, adventurous, organic, nature-inspired and sexy. A unique personality, captured in a multifaceted book.Also available:Moniek Vanden Berghe ISBN: 9789058563408Zhanna Semenova ISBN: 9789058563248

In southern Katanga, one of the richest regions in Africa and the economic heart of Congo, cities originated around copper and cobalt mines. The relationship between the mining industry and the population could almost resemble that between parent and child. For the past ten years Sammy Baloji has been capturing the memories, hopes and imaginings of these children of the mines. The historical perspective in the Memoire series boldly invites the oppressed of yesterday to engage in dialogue with the ruins of today. Far from presenting an impasse, it invites us to rethink society, as if to exorcise its demons, allowing the dead to find peace so they haunt us no more. The optimism inherent in this process comes out even more clearly in Kolwezi, which presents the image of a ghost town and workers who try all they can to reclaim their own wealth, their dreams of comfort and most of all their want for dignity. Text in English, French, and Dutch. Also available in the Africalia series:Grassroots Upgraded ISBN 9789058563910Calvin Dondo ISBN 9789058564214Julius Mwelu ISBN 9789058564030Kiripi Katembo ISBN 9789058565174 Teddy Mazina ISBN: 9789058565167

Florist Daniel Santamaria's Christmas decor and flower arrangements are unique. They combine unexpected colours and materials without losing the traditional twinkle or the festive spirit of the holiday season. His style is tasteful and subdued, steering clear of the over the top 'Kitschmas' decor. Scented centrepieces, evergreen wreaths, festive garlands, table pieces with a twist, glittering ornaments,... this book brims with extraordinary ideas to make the house bloom with holiday cheer. It is the perfect gift for the green-thumbed party host(ess) and an inspirational treasure trove for those who are passionate about the holiday season.Daniel Santamaría is Master Florist at the Escola d'Art Floral de Catalunya, acknowledged by the FEEF. He completed his teacher's training courses at the Generalitat de Catalunya and perfected his art during specialised courses with master florists such as Benedicto Llum I Alonso, Montserrat Bolet, Gregor Lersch, Wally Klett, Nicole von Boletzky and many others. Together with Brigitta Ohlrogge he teaches pedagogy courses for floral art teachers in Hamburg and at the Escola d'Art Floral, where he has been a teacher since 1997. Daniel Santamaría teaches and gives lectures and workshops in different training centers throughout Spain, Europe, Latin America and Asia. He realises exhibitions and floral art demonstrations in companies and entities in the floral sector, both national and international. He was champion of the Catalunya Floral Art Cup (1996) and of the Spanish Floral Art Cup (1997) and runner-up in the European Floral Art Cup in 2003. In 2005 he assisted in the Spanish Floral Art cup. Since 2003 he owns his own company Floristik Projekt in Hamburg, and since 2009 he is the artistic director and coordinator of the Escola d'Art Floral de Catalunya. Also available:Christmas: Creativity with Flowers ISBN: 9789058562074

Thanks to cocooning and a hype around DIY, crafts and upcycling, our homes are increasingly becoming warm nests and a playground for creative minds who seek to inspire us through the use of colour and innovative designs that make a statement not only about who we are but the internal space we occupy, the space we call home. Plants and flowers have become favourite tools in interior design. Whether you like Scandinavian design or a classical romantic style, there are flowers and combinations to suit every interior. Interior Emotions contains a wealth of stylish floral art for the home, using different environments and styles, ranging from subdued to colourful, playful, small scale to wallscapes. This collection offers inspiration not only to the professional florist but to amateurs, who will be able to pick up ideas and get creative in their own homes. Featuring the work of three unique and internationally respected designers, this volume focuses on creating individual style with ideas are inspiring and original, bringing an additional natural element and splash of colour and style to any internal space lifting it from being a room, to an environment that lives and breathes.

Surrounded by flowers from a very young age, the decision to become a floral designer was anoabvious one for Hideyuki Niwa. To keep on challenging himself, Niwa often takes part in competitions and tries creating and photographing a new design every day to get a thorough understanding of the characteristics of flowers and their possibilities. His classic, linear style and minimalist expression with careful placement of plant materials, quintessential characteristics of the Japanese aesthetic concent wabi sabi, rightfully won him a Bronze Leaf in the 2010/2011 editio and he Gold Leaf in the 2012/2013 edition of Stichting Kunstboek's prestigious International Floral Art.Text in English and Japanese.Also available:Ryusaku Matsuda, Contemporary Floral Art ISBN: 9789058562999Naoki Sasaki, Japanese Contemporary Floral Art ISBN: 9789058562647

François Hannes is passionate and driven by beauty. He loves the good life. He thrives on the tranquillity of a landscape and nature, but finds the dynamics of the urban environment equally inspiring. Uncompromising in his designs, he aims for extremes and these are a feature of his highly individual and original work. His designs are calm and thoughtful and the different elements seem to naturally co-exist. They are exciting and bold, creating inspiring interiors with unique style and flair.Hannes's style of working and design is increasingly recognised and respected both nationally and internationally. His creativity, focus, drive and architectural insight make him a first-class designer. Sennah Studio designs and creates interiors where living well and finding enjoyment in personalised comfort are paramount.Text in English and Dutch.

A collection of grandmothers' recipes for baking, mixing the ingredients of local heritage, colour and the traditions of storytelling passed down through generations to create memorable and meaningful culinary treats!

A superb attention to detail, unsurpassed craftmanship, an emotional understanding of her clients, a dislike of overcomplicating things and a mind that never stops seeing new opportunities and ideas. These are only a few of the characteristics that made and still make Moniek Vanden Berghe the number one and trendsetting floral designer as far as bridal arrangements are concerned. And as time goes by, as is the case with many talented people, Moniek only seems to become more determined, more focused, more passionate. The colourful array and the diversity of the bridal bouquets, corsages, table arrangements, head pieces, and other decorative wedding designs compiled in Flowers in Love 4 demonstrate that Moniek is one of these artists whose well of inspiration never runs dry, on the contrary, it only flows more vigorously. Packed with fantastic new designs, this fourth book in the Flowers in Love collection will prove once again to be a goldmine of inspiration for aspiring florists and brides alike. Text in English, French and Dutch.

With an impressive career of over 40 years that has resulted in the installation of large-scale art projects in numerous public spaces, artist/sculptor Luk Van Soom needs no further introduction in Belgium and the Netherlands. This beautifully designed art book is a first retrospective on his life and career. In a series of discussions and interviews with the artist, author Johan Pas sheds some light on the influences, philosophy, thinking and themes that have been vital for Van Soom's artistic development: the relation between life and passion, travel and art, etc. Together, these texts present a kaleidoscopic image of Luk Van Soom's life and work that is just as multifaceted and compelling as his art. At the age of seventeen Van Soom took his first tentative steps as an artist. Now 40 years later, he has an impressive curriculum including many exhibitions, commissions and projects both in his home country and abroad. Moreover, he created more than 50 monumental works for the public space in Belgium and the Netherlands, among which some very well know sights, such as Walhalla (1993, Antwerp), The Man from Atlantis (2003, Brussels), The Wharfinger (2005, Zwolle) and Walking to Magdalena (2012, Ostend).Text in English and Dutch.

The wreath is Japanese floral artist Manabu Hashiguchi's preferred floral shape. Its symbolism is universal. With no beginning or end, the wreath represents eternity and the endless processes in nature. Hashiguchi's designs are so graceful that they look as if there has been no artist's hand involved, and nature created the shapes by accident. Even the humblest of materials get the chance to shine and tell their story. Discover this intriguing collection of seasonal wreaths, which balance on the thin line between classical floristry and land art.Text in English and Japanese.

Yasser 'Mierkat' Booley started producing photographs in 1993 on the eve of the 'new' South Africa. Raised within the tension of a conservative Cape Malay home in politically fraught South Africa, he soon became an observant apprentice, set on mastering the essence of the electric 'rainbow nation'. This book is a celebration, an indulgent vision. Booley's South Africa shows ordinary people caught at a crossroads, entangled in a dishevelled unity. He brings to light the beauty of humanity through all religious and cultural differences, through class and gender diversity. His character and style reveal an unbridled optimism, sprinkled with an accidental whiff of irony.Text in English, French, Dutch, and German.Also available in the Africalia series:Grassroots Upgraded ISBN 9789058563910Calvin Dondo ISBN 9789058564214Julius Mwelu ISBN 9789058564030Kiripi Katembo ISBN 9789058565174Teddy Mazina ISBN: 9789058565167Sammy Baloji ISBN 9789058563965

Just as painters create immortal pieces with their brushes, ikebana artists use nature's palette to express themselves. Ikebana Inspired by Emotions demonstrates the eloquence of ikebana and its power to capture and transfer emotions. Ikebana is sometimes accused of being hermetic; difficult to understand or appreciate for outsiders. It is claimed that it is an art which merely involves applying strict, imposed rules and that a lack of spontaneity and frivolity makes it a style of flower arranging that is difficult to enjoy. This beautiful new book demonstrates the opposite. Eight carefully selected black and white photos of strong, universal emotions are the source of inspiration for this publication. Many international artists interpret these visuals and translate them into designs that stir the senses and touch the heart. Ikebana: Inspired by Emotions shows how ikebana arrangements can pull at the heartstrings and evoke emotions that are recognisable to everyone.

Faith Flowers is a guide to arranging flowers in places of worship. The book starts with the fundamentals of flower arranging and works up to advanced designs for festivals. Step-by-step instructions and photographs clearly show how to create many different arrangements. Flower recipes are included describing what is needed for each design. Lots of inspiration for new ideas and colour combinations. Flower designs are provided for regular services, weddings, funerals, Christmas, Easter and much more. Learn how to create a volunteer group to provide flowers for your worship services. Author Laura Larocci shares her knowledge from 16 years as Flower Guild Chair of one of the largest cathedrals in the country. Over the years she has organised, led and taught hundreds of volunteers at the cathedral and churches across the US. She shares the triumphs and struggles of creating beautiful flowers within budget and volunteer flower guilds. The book has good reference guides with photos of flower varieties, greenery and materials needed, sample ordering forms, budgets and tips for saving money. Sources for flowers and materials are also discussed.

Angelo Turconi has spent fifty years roaming the Democratic Republic of Congo. This passionate, curious and compassionate photographer continues to this day to document the daily life of the Congolese, with a particular focus on their cultural heritage and artisanal and artistic traditions. His photographs capture the power of ancestral ceremonies and the joy of popular celebrations, presided over by the traditional chiefs who still occupy a prestigious position. They reveal the social structure of this central African community by observing the work of artisans, farmers, conveyors of goods (riding their impressive cargo bikes) and market traders. More than just a witness, Angelo Turconi calls himself an emissary of memory. It is the subject of memory that seems to haunt the pages of this book. By drawing on the power of customs that have not yet been dulled by globalisation, his photographs take us on a journey to a world apart: one that is recognisably contemporary and yet connected to references and traditions that seem to come from outside of our world.Text in English and French.

Surrounded by flowers from a very young age, the decision to become a floral designer was an obvious one for Japanese Hideyuki Niwa. At the age of 20 he graduated from Tokyo's flower college and in the same year he was employed by Kamon Flower Gate Co Ltd; a great and fruitful environment for an artist eager to learn and develop. Botanical Metamorphosis is Hideyuki Niwa's second book and focuses on the design process that brings out and attracts attention to special features of plants and flowers that would otherwise go unnoticed. This process of 'botanical metamorphosis' developed over time, as the artist grew more aware of the presence of flowers and plants. Hideyuki Niwa tries to capture the expression in flower heads, the movement - the 'breathing' - of leaves, the heart beating in the stems and the will of branches... but in order to bring out these characteristics and to enhance the charm of nature, it is necessary to 'dismantle' the original shapes, reconstruct them and awaken their new beauty. As always Niwa's execution of the design and the placement of materials is flawless, bordering on perfection. The aim of his powerful designs and his mission as an artist is to create floral designs that tug at the heartstrings, inspire and enchant the viewer and create a lasting impression.Also available: Hideyuki Niwa: Japanese Contemporary Floral Art ISBN 9789058564375Text in English and Japanese