Pol Leurs was born in Luxembourg in 1947, and he is the father of three adult son. His career as an engineer has not prevented him from becoming one of the greatest cartoonists of his country. Under his artist name Poleurs he represented Luxembourg in numerous national and international competitions.
His talent for drawing was manifested in the early school years. He soon discovered the virtues of cartoon and began to depict scenes of school life. Over the years, his taste for detail and finesse in design has allowed him to develop his own style. Throughout his career, drawing allowed him to leave behind him, for a moment, the stresses of everyday life. In the beginning Pol drew in some way for the pleasure of drawing. But over time he came to draw also for others and he began to publish and exhibit his works.
Since 1976 he had 13 solo exhibitions. To this date, he has won more than 60 international prices: the first time in Berlin in 1980 and in 1983 he won first prize in the Euro-Kartoenale Kruishoutem "Agriculture". He has published four cartoon books in 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012. He is also president of the jury of the Salon International de la Caricature et Cartoon Vianden.
His style is deliberately simple, non-aggressive and almost always without text. His art is a game between the image and the imaginary, the viewer is caught surprised by the detail that makes him laugh. Good observer, Pol plays with preconceived images of everyday life. His humor is a benevolent wink, sometimes with a hint of social criticism. He likes to laugh without hurting. The aesthetic is of great importance in his eyes and the message must be fully conveyed by the image, without further explanation.
www.poleurs.lu
The cartoons of Pol Leurs can be admired at the European Cartoon Centre, Brugstraat s/n in Kruishoutem, every Sunday from 10 – 12 a.m. and 2 – 5 p.m., from 27 January till 17 March 2013. Groups of 10 persons and more are also welcome by appointment on other days.
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