Kristof Van Gestel (*1976) is a participatory visual artist. From 1995 to 1998 he studied Graphic Design at Sint Lucas Ghent. He then obtained his master's degree in Fine Arts at KASK HOGENT, studio Mixed Media with Danny Matthys. He continued working for two years at the ateliers in Amsterdam. Since 1999, he has been creating artworks that literally and figuratively question and investigate the place of art and creativity in relation to the everyday world. By seeking out and provoking experiences, for Van Gestel, making art is a method of exploring and "inhabiting" the world and the various relationships we enter into with it as individuals. This applies to both the artist and the viewer. From this perspective, his doctoral research (2007-2013) describes his art practice as a model of experience and reflection that can help shape and give meaning to life itself. 

As an extension of his PhD, he worked from 2014 to 2020 on a postdoctoral research at KASK & Conservatorium in which he addressed experiential learning. For this purpose, the platform "Knowing by Doing" was established. This platform provides opportunities for participatory and experiential art projects and workshops that Van Gestel has since been setting up for the public from his own practice. He develops his artistry as a hybrid status where different roles and practices constantly alternate and mutually drive each other: teacher, developer and supervisor of art education workshops, participatory artist, artistic coordinator of FactorY (Leuven), editor, author,...