The answer is clearly yes and with these artworks we even say yes,yes,yes! Research by Exeter University’s School of Psychology found that employees who have control over the design and layout of their workspace are not only happier and healthier- they’re also up to 32% more productive. The research involved more than 2,000 office workers in a series of studies looking at attitudes to and productivity within working space. But it was two further studies, one at Exeter University and another in commercial offices which saw participants take on a series of tasks in a workspace that was either lean (bare and functional), enriched (decorated with plants and pictures), empowered (allowing the individual to design the area) or disempowered (where the individual’s design was redesigned by a ‘manager’). This study found that people working in enriched spaces (decorated with art or plants) were 17% more productive than those in lean spaces. The notion that art in the workplace is merely decorative was dispelled in a survey of more than 800 employees working for 32 companies throughout the US that have workplace art collections. The survey, a collaboration of the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association for Professional Art Advisors drew responses from firms ranging from food distributors to law firms that house workplace collections. It found that art in the workplace helps businesses address key challenges such as reducing stress (78% agree), increasing creativity (64% agreed) and encouraging expression of opinions (77% agreed). A smaller study at Cass Business School explored the perceptions of employees towards art in the workplace and its effect on themselves, the clients or company image. Both male (64%) and female (73%) respondents agreed that the design of their workplace has an effect on their working day. Interestingly, male respondents not only rated art (39%) as one of the most important elements of interior design of the workplace compared to other elements such as plants (39%) or a lounge area (35%), but they also give art a higher importance as an interior design element compared to female respondents. Only 17% of women named art as a crucial component of interior design. However, the impact of art on the individual employee regarding work ethic/motivation, creativity, stress-level and general well-being seems to be greater on women than on men. While 80% of the male respondents agreed that art has a minor effect on their work ethic/motivation; all of the female respondents agreed that it has some effect on them. Specifically, 54% of women acknowledged that art has a moderate to big effect on their creativity at the office (47% of men) and 80% of the women agreed that art at the office could reduce their stress-levels (66% of the men). Furthermore, 92% of the women stated that art affects their general well-being, compared to 71% of the men. We even go further as we include the results of studies on the impact of colours, subjects on shapes on productivity and wellbeing. All the studies made it clear : Colourtones that blend softly, subjects that give space for an own interpretation and organic shapes were the best elements to convey a sense of freedom, calmness and inspiration that geometric and abstract shapes could not do. The art from Sven Bullaert brings the best of all these studies together, that's what makes them so unique. Below are a few examples how we brought stillness and inspiration into a working space.

An old technique, once invented to bring stillness, is now remade. The works are built up in layers (an average of 5 per work) with transparent acrylic paint based on an ancient sfumato painting method. We already know this technique in which images are built up in layers and faded from the time of Leonardo da Vinci, a master at this. In this step-by-step, layered construction, he adds various media, including his passion for photography. 'The final image' is deliberately kept relatively vague, so there is more room for personal interpretation and inspiration. Sven works similarly and adds new tools like photography and digital layering. To ensure that the works 'offer' themselves, not 'obtrusive', and so gently flow into you, the viewer, like a wave ... After all, Sven believes that everything is 'energy', 'vibration', 'frequency', and that depending on the intention with which we make something, this creation can resonate with the beholder and become inspiring. Unique artwork with DNA from the artist included ... All artworks are original and unique works. Only one piece of each work exists. They are signed on the back, and each artwork contains some of the artist's DNA... At the back of each work of art, right above the UMU logo (the name of his venture studio), a piece of fingernail is glued; it is Sven's copyright symbol and a nod to the copy-and-paste culture in the art world. Nails are fascinating, by the way; they are a good barometer for our mood, and diseases make themselves visible very quickly in our nails. Each work also comes with a certificate with a photo of the work, the signature and the nail. This unique document certifies the authenticity of the work. An organic shape made to bring peace and well-being. Sven Bullaert has been passionate about the impact of shape, colour, and texture on our feelings for years and has worked on a form that gives a new kind of interaction between the work and the beholder. In this form, he synthesises the lamé curve of the French mathematician Gabriel Lamé (1795–1870), some principles of the golden ratio and the Italian mathematician Fibonacci (1170-1240). These organic shapes bring us peace and pleasure because of their connection to nature. And in connecting us to nature, they relate us to ourselves, as we are nature. Our human body, too, is made up of organic shapes, so these forms somehow feel familiar and emotionally linked to us. They also transmit a feeling of calm, flow and harmony, like watching drops of rain form and deform, observing the movements of water or leaves or sand dancing and shifting in the wind: just as nature does, organic shapes speak to our souls.

- Why buying? The work is immediatly yours and you can get commissioned art where the subject, colours, size, etc., matches your company's DNA. As a bonus you also get a free lecture on creativity by Sven Bullaert, the artist himself (value 1000€). - Why renting? Fiscal advantage! With our art lending formula (in Belgium) you only pay a monthly amount of 2% of the purchase value. (100% tax deduction). In the meantime, you build up a credit (50% of your rent price). This credit is deducted when you want to purchase a work of art. For example, you rent a work of art worth €1000. You then pay €20 per month, of which you save €10 that you can use for a future purchase.

Yes, of course that is possible, after 12 months you can return the artwork at any time, exchange it or pause the art lending arrangement. The monthly payment then stops. The accrued credit remains available to purchase a beautiful work of art from our collection at another time.