The Belfius art collection dates back to 70 years and to celebrate this fact, the bank’s art gallery has carefully curated an exhibition this year featuring 12 new and contemporary Belgian artists. These annual exhibitions by Belfius are turning out to be a special treat for art lovers, as it is a great way to discover and appreciate Belgian art in particular.
While we had a little chit chat with curator Benedicte Bouton, she explained that the 12 artists had been asked to choose their inspirations from the huge art collection at Belfius. The result – ‘Inspired by Love’ – is an ensemble that is peculiarly interesting for the audience, if you look closely.
Let me delve deep from my memories of the opening day and present a glimpse of the amazing and unique art that I witnessed. A dazzling green Mobius strip in glass caught my eyes while I was loitering alone. Artist Lieven De Boeck was kind enough to explain that he was trying his hands sculpting with glass and it took him hours to turn it into a Mobius strip, which is one of a kind. Several artists inspired him and he chose to showcase Phillippe van Snick and Koen van den Broek – two Belgian artists working with forms and designs.
From the other artists present at the show, Hilde Overbergh superbly narrated the entire process of creating her work in mixed media – ‘Magritte’s Aircastle, painted blue’ – inspired by Rene Magritte’s surrealist paintings and their resemblance to her own illusionistic works.
If you love abstraction art, there is artist Léa Belooussovitch with her work in textile titled ‘Peshawar, Pakistan,’ along with her inspiration Denmark (Belgian visual artist), who is a pioneer in working with text and paper as materials.
Belfius art gallery’s ‘Black Room’ has always been of special interest as it displays the most intriguing works from past and present. This year, among others, artist Emilie Terlinden’s huge diptych ‘The Farm’ finds a spot along with her inspirations David Rijckaert ll and Jan Fyt.
Interacting with a few of these artists has been an enriching experience and definitely the highlight of the exhibition for me. There is a lot to look at, figure out, ponder about and food for thought after you exit the giddying heights of the art gallery on the 32nd floor of the Belfius Tower at Place Rogier.
Take a peek and thank us later. 🙂
‘Inspired by love’ runs two Saturdays per month till 22nd June 2024. The exhibition is held at the Belfius Art Gallery (Place Charles Rogier 11 in 1210 Brussels). It is accessible from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays 13 and 27 January, February 3 and 24, March 9 and 23, April 6 and 20, May 18 and 25, June 8 and 22. Prior reservation is required.
Entry: Free if you are a Belfius customer or 5€ (goes to charity) if you are not.
Book your slot here.
Photos: Priyanka Roy Banerjee / WeLoveBrussels
