Jean-Claude Van Damme didn't just show up to the University of Hong Kong last week to talk about the good old days of splits and spin kicks. He arrived as a painter. At 65, the man known as the Muscles from Brussels is pivoting into the high-brow world of fine art, and honestly, it’s not as crazy as it sounds. While most action stars are busy chasing one last direct-to-video paycheck, Van Damme is standing in a gallery in Pok Fu Lam, surrounded by twelve of his own oil paintings, talking about inner strength and "ambassadors of peace."
You’ve probably seen the headlines. He’s calling Vladimir Putin a "good friend" again, and he’s nostalgic for the gritty Hong Kong film sets of the 90s. But if you look past the clickbait, there’s a weirder, more human story here about an aging icon trying to find a legacy that doesn't involve breaking someone's nose.
The Canvas is the New Octagon
Walking through the University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG), you don’t see many fight scenes on the walls. Instead, Van Damme’s art is surprisingly moody. It’s focused on movement and discipline—the same stuff that made Bloodsport a hit, but without the fake blood. He’s calling this his "international debut" as a visual artist.
It’s easy to be cynical. You’re likely thinking this is just another celebrity vanity project. But Van Damme has always been more "out there" than Schwarzenegger or Stallone. He’s a guy who talks about the "feeling" of a punch and the "soul" of a kick. Bringing that intensity to a brush actually makes sense for him. He’s not just slapping paint on a canvas for a tax write-off; he’s trying to translate forty years of physical discipline into something that lasts longer than a movie's runtime.
Why He Still Defends Putin
The elephant in the room is his relationship with the Kremlin. Van Damme doesn't shy away from it, even in 2026. He’s stuck to his guns about his friendship with Vladimir Putin, calling him a "good friend" during his Hong Kong visit. This isn't new—they’ve been buddies since at least 2007 when they watched MMA together in St. Petersburg.
Van Damme’s take is basically that he wants to be an "ambassador of peace." He’s mentioned wanting to go to Russia to talk about "peace, sports, and happiness" rather than politics. It’s a naive stance, maybe even a dangerous one given the current global climate, but it’s classic JCVD. He views the world through the lens of a martial artist where respect is earned through physical prowess and "honor," often ignoring the messy reality of geopolitics.
He even shared a story about nearly getting tackled by twenty security guards at a private event because he reached into his bag for lip balm. He laughs it off now, but it shows the bizarre, high-stakes bubble he’s lived in for decades.
Hong Kong and the Lost Art of Action
You can't talk about Van Damme without talking about Hong Kong. This is the city that essentially built him. In the mid-90s, he was the guy who had the guts to bring legendary directors like John Woo, Tsui Hark, and Ringo Lam to Hollywood. He didn't just hire them; he fought for their vision when American studios didn't "get" the frantic, operatic style of HK action.
During his recent talk, he seemed genuinely bummed about the state of modern action cinema. Everything is CGI now. There’s no "feeling." He reminisced about the days when a stunt meant actually falling off a building, not hanging in front of a green screen. He’s right, too. There’s a visceral quality to 90s Hong Kong cinema that's been lost in the digital shuffle. By exhibiting his art in Hong Kong, he’s paying a debt to the city that gave him his biggest breaks.
More Than Just a Martial Artist
If you’re wondering why this matters, it’s because Van Damme represents the last of a dying breed. He’s a bridge between the old-school martial arts world and the modern celebrity machine. Most people his age are retired, but he’s still trying to create. He’s donating a chunk of the auction proceeds from these paintings to charity, which is a solid move.
It’s not just about the paintings themselves. It’s about the fact that he’s still looking for a way to express himself. Whether he’s doing the splits between two Volvo trucks or painting a self-portrait, he’s always been about the "show."
What You Can Learn from the JCVD Pivot
- Don't be afraid to change your medium. If you’ve spent 20 years in one career, you aren't stuck there. Use the discipline you learned in your first act to fuel your second.
- Acknowledge your roots. Van Damme knows he wouldn't be anywhere without Hong Kong. Whatever your "Hong Kong" is, go back there and say thanks.
- Stay weird. The world has enough boring celebrities. Be the guy who paints and talks to world leaders about lip balm.
If you happen to be in Hong Kong, go see the exhibit at HKU. It’s a rare look at a guy who’s spent his life being looked at, finally trying to show us how he sees things. Even if you don't care for the art, the sheer spectacle of the Muscles from Brussels becoming the "Monet of Martial Arts" is worth the trip.
Pick up a copy of his limited edition prints if you have the cash—they’re likely to become weirdly valuable collector's items. If not, just re-watch Hard Target and appreciate the fact that he’s still keeping things interesting in 2026.
