Hof der dingen - The Art of Kamagurka: A Sketchbook

When we say Luc Charles Zeebroek, only part of the population might recognise the name. In all honesty, we’ll probably receive more than a few puzzled looks. But when we mention the name Kamagurka, suddenly, the majority of the people will start nodding their heads in recognition. 

Cartoonist, theater and television maker, painter, singer, and all-round artist, Kamagurka doesn’t like to be put in a box – and rightfully so. Let’s be honest, he would probably draw all over it anyway. Do you know that he painted one painting a day in 2008? His artistic talent truly knows no bounds. 

Born in Nieuwpoort, he studied art in Bruges and later attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent (KASK). His very first cartoon? That appeared way back in 1972 in De Zeewacht, a local newspaper. But his real breakthrough as a cartoonist came when he started working for Humo magazine. He created the magazine’s mascots Bert and Cowboy Henk, heavily influencing the magazine’s overall style and cult appeal. 

His style was very distinctive – with some calling it vulgar and others considering it to be refreshingly sharp and honest. His cartoons often led to angry letters to the editor. But it instantly made him a cult figure, along with fellow cartoonist Herr Seele – another West Flanders native. 

They formed an inseparable duo in the 1980s, and co-created multiple TV shows, theater performances, and radio programs – with their absurd humor becoming their trademark. Creations such as Studio Kafka and Lava – featuring Flemish bombshell Wendy Van Wanten – are still etched into the collective memory of Flemish pop culture. 

Another comic character of Kamagurka is Bert and Bobje. You might recognise this cheerful duo from the festival grounds of Torhout Werchter, where life-size versions of these characters greeted visitors each year. 

We’re thrilled to show you his sketchbook and let you peek inside the wonderful and weird mind of one of Flanders’ most erratic artists.