Brabant Lenting was a revered local artist known for his larger-than-life personality who exhibited widely around Northwest Indiana, Chicago and beyond.
He died of cancer at the age of 75 years old the day after Christmas in 2021 while his abstract art was on display at Fernwood Botanical Gardens in Niles, Michigan.
The South Lake Artists Co-op or SLAC plans to honor him with a retrospective exhibit at the Sidecar Gallery at 411 Huehn St., Hammond. The gallery, which Lenting loved and called "a great Chicago gallery in Northwest Indiana," hasn't had an exhibition since 2019 but is now coming back after a hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Brabant" will serve as a tribute and memorial show. SLAC's Paul Benninghoff said the exhibition will "honor the legacy of Brabant Lenting—a revered artist whose impact resonates throughout the Northwest Indiana community and beyond—and his twin brother Giuseppe, who played a significant role in shaping Brabant's artistic journey and strongly supported the local arts community."
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Benninghoff considered him a mentor.
"He got around the art scene, whether in Chicago, Elkhart or Michigan City. He went to art shows at all those places," he said. "He was a huge proponent of amateur artists like me. He would give you an honest critique of your work and what you need to work on. He was appreciated by everybody. He thought art was for everybody. There was nothing pretentious about him and his brother. He thought art was something to be shared and he shared it."
He gave other artists encouragement, Benninghoff said.
"He was a big supporter of artists," he said. "With me, he'd be looking at my piece and compare it to physical artists. That made me feel good. He was just that kind. He exhibited in New York but was very down to earth and very easy to talk to. He loved talking art and loved going to galleries. He would point something out in an art piece when he would see it. He'd get something personal out of it."Â
He did abstract art with pastels and oil paint and was also known for flash drawings.
"He had a good balance and control of lines and shapes," he said. "It wasn't just something he slapped together. He had an innate sense of what makes good art."
An opening reception is planned from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The exhibit focuses on Lenting's work but also includes work of his friends.
"In honor of his spirit, we have encouraged artists to submit any works that are inspired and influenced by Brabant and his boundless creativity and unique style," Benninghoff said. "Whether through vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, or imaginative, free flowing compositions, the spirit and essence of Brabant’s artistry is apparent in this exhibit, celebrating his lasting influence on the creative arts community."
He was born in a gallery in the Netherlands as John Lenting but changed his name to Brabant in honor of the province he hailed from. He served in the Vietnam War and worked a day job as a commercial billboard painter in Chicago.
"An artist who was well-known in the Northwest Indiana community and beyond, Brabant was represented in New York City by several well-known galleries in his earlier years. His career spanned decades, and he created art until he was physically unable to do so,"Â Benninghoff said. "Brabant and his twin brother Giuseppe were frequent visitors to galleries & art shows that took place in the tri-state area. Having had a studio in Michigan City for many years, he, along with his brother, could always be regularly seen throughout the Region. The pair would often make frequent stops at Paul Henry's Gallery in Hammond, Zhou Brothers & Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago, and, for many years, Sidecar Gallery in Hammond. Regrettably, both he and his brother have passed on."
He will be remembered for his big personality.
"Two young ladies came up and asked him if he was a rock star. He had that kind of flair to him," he said. "He was genuine. He was the real deal. He wasn't trying to outshine everybody. He just loved to make people laugh. He and his brother had a lot of fun together."Â
At least 10% of sales will go the American Cancer Society in honor of the Lenting Twins.
A look back at Northwest Indiana businesses that closed in 2023
A look back at Region businesses that closed in 2023
Beer Geeks, one of the Region's first, most beloved and most influential craft beer bars, closed after more than a decade and is being reimagined as a new concept.
The landmark 88-year-old castle-shaped White Castle in Whiting is coming down to be replaced with a newer, larger, more modern White Castle restaurant.Â
A longtime staple in downtown Crown Point poured its last drink.
The longtime Westforth Sports gun shop is closing.
The Silver Line Building Products plant at 16801 Exchange Ave. will be shuttered permanently.
Brewfest in Highland will close in what's been called "an end of an era."
David's Bridal filed for bankruptcy and could close all stores if no buyer emerges to save it.
The 88-year-old Whiting White Castle will be remembered with displays at museums in two different states.
For years, the "millionaire's club" met every morning in the corner booth of the historic 88-year-old White Castle at Indianapolis Boulevard and 119th Street in downtown Whiting. The landmark restaurant served its final slider Tuesday.Â
One of Northwest Indiana's most popular and enduring hobby shops is looking for a buyer after the longtime owner died.
J&L This N That Consignment Shop, a popular thrift store, closed in downtown Whiting after a run of several years.
A Calumet Region institution, Calumet Fisheries on the far South Side of Chicago, is temporarily closed after failing a city health inspection.
Just days after reopening after city health inspectors shut it down, Calumet Fisheries suffered a major fire.
Pepe's Mexican Restaurant is no mas in Valparaiso.
Beer Geeks in Highland rebranded as B-Side Bar & Lounge and then closed within a few months.
Troubled retailer Bed Bath and Beyond will permanently close its Valparaiso location as it shutters more stores nationwide as it looks to restructure and shrink its footprint to save the struggling business.
Peoples Bank has shuttered its branch in downtown Hammond.Â
Viking Artisan Ales will soon pour its last craft beer at its Merrillville taproom.
Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is closing after 15 years at one of Northwest Indiana's most prominent highway interchanges.
The Chicago Auto Show, the nation's largest auto show, returns to McCormick Place Saturday, running through Feb. 19.