At Brafa 2026, Objects With Narratives presents Faux Jumeaux, a solo show by Ben Storms
Faux Jumeaux
At a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from lies, or to trust your own eyes, imitation could easily be mistaken for deception. Yet, if Ben Storms' presentation for the Brafa Art Fair turns out to be partly an ode to the notion of imitation, this should rather be seen as a historical reference, a sincere acknowledgement of a rich tradition.
Consider it a restorative act. A reminder of an era when the practice of imitation was a mark of exceptional craftsmanship, capturing the visual essence of original matter down to the finest detail. As such, and true to the motives behind his practice, this exhibition is once again a celebration. Of beauty and of craftsmanship. Of materiality, and the uniqueness of our creative capacity.
Bathed in a soft, warm, honey-hued glow, Storms’ exhibition explores the concept of faux jumeaux. Of apparent reflections, quasi-identical, that invite you to look twice and sharpen your perception. Having worked with moulds and casts for many years — and with the transmutation of matter as a recurring theme throughout his practice — this territory is familiar to Storms. Here, however, he explores its peripheries. To this end, he collaborated closely with Pierre-Yves Morel, a master decorator who has become particularly adept at the subtle art of faux marble. It is an arduous craft, requiring unparalleled focus and dedication, verging on the ritualistic. This act of imitation is a testament to the original natural stone.
The scenographic centerpiece is a semi-circular arrangement of reimagined versions of Storms’ room dividers. One side is delicately adorned with a marble mosaic, a fragmentation of the stones to which he has been dedicated, and that are artfully mimicked elsewhere in the exhibition by Morel. On the other side, the room dividers' steel surfaces are covered with a layer of liquid silver, fused by fire. This creates a unique texture, distorting precise mirroring and subtly challenging the exhibition's concepts of replication and reflection.
The setting is theatrical yet restrained, inviting both enchantment and contemplation. At its core are works that further deepen the dialogue. They are a meditation on authenticity and illusion, presence and representation. And on the various facets of real craftsmanship. Taken together, Ben Storms' Faux Jumeaux embraces ambiguity in its most stimulating manifestation, prompting us to muse and reconsider.
Images by Tijs Vervecken
About the artist
Ben Storms is a Belgian designer and craftsman who thinks in terms of materials. By using state-of-the-art techniques he transforms them to captivating shapes that defy expectations. Storms equally masters thinking and making. He has refined his craft as a stone mason, sculptor and woodworker. In his practice, he often combines traditional techniques with high-tech processes to create unique pieces of furniture with a sculptural character.In my practice as a designer, I push materials to their boundaries, often questioning common notions. Does marble always have to look heavy? Can steel look soft? By creating shapes that verge on the impossible, I confuse the viewers, make them lose their balance briefly, and stimulate them to look at familiar materials with a fresh eye.
Like the materiality that is the result, the transformational techniques in my practice are paradoxical: both centuries-old, e.g. the laborious sanding and polishing of marble, and ultramodern, e.g. 3D scanning or CNC milling. It is in this meeting of extremes that my works are nestled.
