PERBAL / BÉLIBASTE

Their kinetic installation Rain Plane is selected for the outdoor sculpture exhibition DE TWELF² in the park of St. Bernard's Abbey in Hemiksem. Until then, their work has mainly been created for indoor spaces. Working in dialogue with a historic site and its surrounding landscape opens up a new artistic challenge: allowing the work to engage directly with the elements and its environment.

In 2025, they create their largest installation to date: Block 22, measuring 3 × 6 metres. This interactive work combines their delicate thread technique with mechanical movement, powered entirely without electricity. The installation attracted attention from the press and marked a new step in the scale and technical ambition of their practice.

Their first art fair participation takes place at VOLTA Basel, with Lechbinska Gallery presenting a selection of works from Koi. Taking part in Basel's highly regarded and sought-after art fair scene marks another important step in their international career.

The collaboration continues with an Artist in Focus film, documenting their journey to Zurich. They transport their artworks themselves in a car and self-built camper, the large koi sculpture even travels on the roof. The film captures not only the journey, but the adventurous and hands-on spirit behind their practice.

In summer 2023, they meet Julia Lechbinska of Lechbinska Gallery, laying the foundation for an important professional collaboration and close friendship. A few months later, the solo exhibition Koi opens a new international chapter, bringing their work to Zurich, Switzerland.

What begins as a personal family story about their grandfather G. Perbal, who hides Jewish people during WWII and is ultimately deported, grows into an exhibition exploring war through the eyes of children. Wanneer gaan we naar huis? marks their first guest exhibition at Kazerne Dossin, the internationally recognised museum and research centre dedicated to the Holocaust, human rights and remembrance.

They leave their home base in Schelle to set foot on Antwerp's quays. During Antwerp Art Weekend and Antwerp Artland, Ellen Wezenbeek introduces them to the Antwerp art scene through both a solo and a duo exhibition.

After months of delays due to COVID-19, Akai Ito, their first joint exhibition, finally opens. Despite masks and time slots, the exhibition touches its audience and receives a warm and enthusiastic response. The accompanying poetry collection also finds its way to an appreciative audience. It is a memorable start for the duo and, above all, leaves them eager for what comes next.

When COVID-19 postpones their first joint exhibition, Akai Ito, they turn their home into an exhibition space. The window display draws many enthusiastic visitors and quickly attracts the attention of regional press and television.

Their first engagement with climate and environmental issues begins with Poseidon Doesn't Like Soup, a group exhibition addressing plastic pollution in rivers and oceans. It marks the beginning of their path towards serene activism through art.

After a difficult period in which Walter is diagnosed with cancer, art becomes a way of processing the experience together. During his recovery, the idea emerges to take their shared creativity and natural way of working together further into their artistic practice. This leads to the series Akai Ito and the formation of the artist duo Perbal / Bélibaste.

Magali begins creating art in 2017, encouraged by artist friend Ingrid Rosschaert, who regularly seeks Walter's technical advice for her own work. Ingrid eventually invited Magali to work in her studio, and just six months later, Magali presents her first solo exhibition, Fijn Wild, the beginning of her artistic journey.