Panamarenko biography for kids

Henri Van Herwegen (5 February 1940 – 14 December 2019), known by the pseudonym Panamarenko, was a prominent assemblagist Belgiansculptor.

Famous for his work with aeroplanes as theme; none of which are able nor constructed to actually leave the ground.

Life and Work

Panamarenko was born in Antwerp, where he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts from 1955 to 1960.

Panamarenko biography for kids youtube

Before 1968, his art was inspired by pop-art, but early on he became interested in aeroplanes and human powered flight. This interest is also reflected in his name, which supposedly is an acronym for "Pan American Airlines and Company".

The name Panamarenko may also be influenced by Panteleimon Ponomarenko, a politician-ambassador from the former Soviet Union.

Starting in 1970, he developed his first models of imaginary vehicles, aeroplanes, balloons or helicopters, in original and surprising appearanc