Curriculum Vitae – Janpiet Callens (°Waregem 1949) Janpiet Callens

Janpiet Callens grew up and studied in Brussels, a city he developed a special bond with. Even at a young age his interest for art and culture was apparent – art, and especially the art of painting, have remained an important factor since his youth.

Janpiet took his first steps in the cultural sector with the foundation of DELIKAAT (1966). This collective organised multi-media events at the Brussels Beursschouwburg in a coöperation with the BRT (national broadcast) and Radio Brabant.

Under family pressure, Callens’ professional life took an unexpected turn: he joined the police. There he accomplished his tasks in his own peculiar fashion. At the same time, he kept on following the latest tendencies in the artistic and cultural fields.

Callens served several enriching years in the crime section (homicide), the drug squad and the vice squad. Ultimately, working for Interpol, he became an art détective(1989). He was part of a motivated team combatting art theft, the receiving of stolen goods and art forgery.

Through his work for Interpol, Janpiet Callens acquired a know-how in the field of arts and antiques, as well as a comprehensive international network. Different courses in Belgium, England(1999) and France(1998 – 2001) complete the experience in this field.

In september 2009, the career of Janpiet Callens, took another turn. The detective decided to share his expertise as a consultant and advisor. As well as his work as a consultant, he is also a teacher and lecturer in several schools and académies

September 2009 is het jaar van een carrièrewending. Janpiet Callens beslist zijn know how en zijn gecapitaliseerde expertise te delen en vestigt zich als consultant en adviseur. Zijn expertise op het vlak van kunst & antiek, en meer specifiek zijn ervaring m.b.t. de beveiliging van kunstvoorwerpen, kan vanaf nu gedeeld worden met de kunstliefhebber. Hij geeft momenteel lezingen, conférences, is gastdocent en lesgever in verschillende scholen en academies.

Some references:

Art Loss Register, ABN Amro, ISEL Foundation, HISCOX Kunstverzekeringen, Centrum voor Religieuze Kunst en Cultuur, Artelex Seminars, Crepac Limal, Leon Eeckman Verzekeringen, SMAK, UCL Louvain-la-Neuve, BRAFA, Kempische Verzekeringskring, Kiwanis, Groeninghemuseum, SYNTRA, GC De Warande-Liedekerke, VRT, VTM, Suddeutsche Rundfunk, France 2, Lions Club, MAC’s Le Grand Hornu, Van Lanschot Bankiers, Vlaamse Overheid, School voor Criminologie en Criminalistiek, Erfgoeddag Sint-Niklaas, Politieacademies, Vanbreda Verzekeringen, Salon International de la Céramique Ancienne-Enghien, Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten van België e.a