The first outlines of the Centre for Martial Arts and Science (CEMAS) are now visible on the VUB campus in Etterbeek. And even before the first punch bags are in place, the building is already speaking — not with words, but through lines, shapes and shadows. Artist Yves Gallard painted the centre’s windows, giving a face to what will soon become a space of strength, discipline and connection. We spoke with him about his work, his inspiration, and why this feels like coming home.
The mural at CEMAS isn’t a literal depiction of martial arts. No fists or flying kicks. What you see are lines in motion. Abstract, yet charged. Yves explains: “It’s my visual translation of stances, trajectories and rhythms from various martial arts. I observed athletes in Brussels clubs and studied dozens of books. What you see on the glass is the outcome of that journey: movement captured in stillness.”
But this is more than just an artistic experiment. For Yves, it’s deeply personal too. “More than ten years ago, I took savate classes at the VUB. Back then, I was an art school student. Now, years later, I’m returning to the same place — but this time as an artist. It feels like the circle is complete.”
The artwork is painted on glass using specially developed enamel paint. Not by coincidence — light plays a leading role. “The lines cast shadows on the floor, on the walls, on the mirrors. They shift with the hour, with the seasons. The artwork becomes a kind of companion for those who train here. It moves with the day.”
“The lines cast shadows on the floor that change with the hour, with the season. The work becomes a companion for those who train here”
It was important to Yves that his work fits the space. Not loud, not demanding, but quietly present. “I wanted it to feel timeless. As if it’s always been here. At the same time, I hope people — athletes or not — pause for a moment. Just to look. Just to feel.”
Art and martial arts: an unexpected match?
At first glance, a university, a martial arts centre and an abstract artwork might seem like three different worlds. But just as the VUB is committed to building bridges between disciplines, this artwork does the same. “Both — art and martial arts — are about control, technique, surrender and rhythm,” says Yves. “They’re about repetition, form, and body language. Those parallels really fascinated me.”
CEMAS is not just another gym. It will be a space for education, research and social impact. Young people in vulnerable situations will have access to high-quality training and support. The painting on the windows fits perfectly within that bigger story. “I hope the work inspires,” says Yves. “Not just through what it shows, but through what it evokes: focus, attention, maybe even a sense of wonder.”
CEMAS opens in the summer of 2025.
Contact
Instagram Yves Gallard: @yyyyvvvveeeessss