 Throughout his career, he was often referred to in the press as a former boxer (he pursued the sport in college) and several times expressed an admiration for Mike Tyson.His international reputation was first established by "Chambres d'Amis," an innovative exhibition he organized in Ghent in 1986.In that show, about 50 American and European artists were invited to create works for 50 private homes in Ghent, which were then opened to the public for several weeks.