Meet our LOVers - Joseph Palframan

"My father is South African, my mother is British. We moved around a lot because of her job: I was born in Namibia, but grew up in England and Botswana. We have been living in Leuven for several years now. This is where I feel at home." 

"During a power cut in Botswana, we were sitting at the table by candlelight. I was amazed by how beautiful the fruit looked on the plate. The next day, I painted that still life at school during art class. That's when the seed for my work was sown. After secondary school, I went to study art and art history in the Netherlands. And now I have a studio in Cas-co, an old factory building on the Vaartkom. But I also work outdoors from time to time, at the Sint-Geertruikerk, for example. Passers-by sometimes look at me strangely (laughs)."

"In the beginning, my art was mainly about identity. I was inspired by African and European culture and history. My latest works are pointillist – a technique using dots of paint. I use it to reproduce digital images, such as a selfie taken on the street or a shot from a music video. The dots look like pixels."

"I'm part of the Dream Team 2030, a group of residents who are helping to make Leuven the cultural capital of Europe. At the end of September, we'll find out if we've beaten Molenbeek and Namur. Leuven has so much to offer, so hopefully we'll win!"

"Being an artist is a lifestyle: my work is my hobby. I spend a lot of time in my studio, but even when I'm not there, I'm mostly involved in art: organising exhibitions, helping other artists, etc. I'm also a member of the Droomteam 2030. For this, I am working on a project involving art in vacant shops. It's a win-win situation: more exhibition space for artists, and the buildings are being used. I also organise Arty Parties: free events where young and old can sample all kinds of art forms. I want art to be for everyone and to bring people together."

"Whenever a new exhibition opens, I go to Museum M. I enjoy discovering the work of fellow artists. I sometimes meet up with friends at the Kaminsky café on Tiensepoort, or just at home or outside. But I also love the peace and quiet you can find in Leuven. You don't get that in every city."

This article originally appeared in LVN, the city magazine of and about Leuven. Every month, LVN puts a resident of Leuven in the spotlight. For the June 2025 edition, dream team member Joseph Palframan received this honour.