Peter De Cupere (°1970, Leuven, Belgium) is an internationally acclaimed olfactory artist and a leading pioneer in the field of scent-based art. For over two decades, he has explored the sensory, cultural, and conceptual dimensions of smell, creating more than 700 works presented in over 200 exhibitions worldwide. His practice spans scent paintings, olfactory objects, soap sculptures, immersive installations, videos, and live “perfumances,” all designed to generate meta-sensory experiences that go beyond sight or smell alone.
De Cupere’s work investigates the associative and emotional power of scent, its impact on memory, and its ability to challenge conventional modes of perception. He often combines fragrances with visual elements to create unpredictable, poetic encounters that provoke strong reactions—ranging from fascination to discomfort. His research addresses themes such as sustainability, ethics, and the socio-political implications of technology, while experimenting with emerging tools like AI and VR in dialogue with traditional craft.
As a lecturer and researcher at PXL-MAD School of Arts in Hasselt, De Cupere co-founded the Open Lab and authored the Olfactory Art Manifesto (2014), signed with his own scent after two years of collecting bodily smells. In 2018, he received the prestigious Art and Olfaction Award in London for his lifetime contribution to scent in art, and in 2019 earned his PhD for research on smell as artistic context and concept. His seminal publication Scent in Context: Olfactory Art (2016) offers a comprehensive overview of his work and philosophy.