The story of BOEM
BOEM, founded by Sare Hoste and Annelies Bollaers, is an experimental zine where art, illustration, and expression come together in a vibrant mix of styles and perspectives. We showcase work by both emerging and established artists from Ghent and beyond, brought together around ever-changing themes.
Each edition is curated around a new theme chosen by the cover artist. This keeps every issue unique and opens the door to fresh perspectives. Over the past year, BOEM was published quarterly in a limited run, featuring the work of 20 diverse artists, each with their own voice and vision.
With BOEM, we aim to intentionally build bridges between emerging talent and established creators. This not only enriches the artistic dialogue within the magazine but also fosters a network in which different generations and perspectives strengthen one another.
BOEM serves as a platform where new connections can grow between creators themselves, as well as between creators and their audience. BOEM seeks not only to capture the intensity of youth — the flood of impressions, emotions, and new experiences — but also to push the boundaries of illustration.
Through BOEM, we strive to position illustration as a fully recognized, autonomous art form.
Who are we?
Annelies Bollaers
Annelies (1998, born in Tourcoing, France) lives and works in Ghent, Belgium. She holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Illustration and a Master of Education in Audiovisual and Fine Arts. In addition to her illustration practice, Annelies teaches art at both an academy and a university college.
Her visual work is characterized by bold, vibrant colors, the combination of organic and geometric forms, and a balance between the cheerful and the macabre. Annelies draws inspiration for her paintings from her everyday life and surroundings. Experimentation and the social aspect keep BOEM continually fascinating for Annelies, making it a true passion project.
Sare Hoste
Sare (2000, born in Leuven, Belgium) lives and works in Ghent, Belgium. She holds a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Illustration and a Master of Education in Audiovisual and Fine Arts. Next to her art practice, Sare also works as a media manager. She handles everything from websites and graphic design to printed materials and online content.
Her visual work creates a dreamy, almost cinematic atmosphere, filled with hidden stories where reality and imagination blend seamlessly. For Sare, sharing BOEM with so many people, offering opportunities, and creating a platform where art can flourish is incredibly energizing. She feels privileged to be part of building a community as vibrant and joyful as this one.
Support
For 2025, BOEM has received the generous support of AllesKan and the City of Ghent, making all of this possible. Thanks to their contribution, we can expand our platform and welcome many more artists in the future. It also enables us to bring the public and the artists together in a physical space, giving creators the chance to reach new audiences and connect with one another. This support allows us to build a vibrant community where people can share their work and discover new opportunities.
Together, we look forward to a year filled with creativity, collaboration, and inspiring encounters. With the continued support of our partners and community, BOEM is ready to grow, to empower artists, and to bring art closer to everyone.
Photographer
We’re also incredibly fortunate to work with the talented photographer Basile Rabaey, who generously supports both BOEM and our artists. For each edition, we visit the studio of the cover artist together with him for an in-depth interview. While Annelies and Sare speak with the artist, Basile captures the atmosphere, photographing the artist, their workspace, and the conversation as it unfolds. This allows our audience to connect more closely with the artist and their practice, while also providing the artist with valuable material for their portfolio.
We are immensely grateful to Basile for his dedication, his time, and the creative energy he brings to our project.
Bookshops
Next to our own webshop, BOEM can also count on the support of several wonderful physical stores in Ghent. At the moment, you can find selected editions at Copyright, Paard van Troje, and Broesse — all vibrant cultural spots that help us bring our publications closer to the local community. We’re also proud to be featured at Studio Artoo, a cosy gallery in Antwerp that warmly welcomes our artists’ work.
Having our editions available in these spaces allows people to experience BOEM in a more tangible way — to feel the prints, flip through the pages, and discover the artists at their own pace.
We’re truly grateful to these shops and galleries for supporting our mission and giving our audience the chance to engage with our work offline!
