Marie de Brower, the owner of Grège Gallery, is delighted to announce its June 2024 exhibition, blurring the lines between dreams and urban landscapes. This showcase brings together the works of five talented artists, to be displayed until December. Paying homage to the vibrant city of Brussels, the exhibition captures its essence through the artistic lens, portraying its rhythms, influences, and interactions. Nestled in the heart of the city, within the Espace Quartier, the Bourse of Brussels metro station will be transformed into a distinctive artistic homage to the city.
« Mind takes form in the city; and in turn, urban forms condition mind » – Lewis Mumford
« In situ: conceptualizing the artwork in context with the exhibition » – Jean-Baptiste Brueder
In his exploration of the intersection between fine art and architecture, Jean- Baptiste captures the ever-changing urban landscape, freezing its mutations in time. He imbues architecture with the essence of memory, describing it as a fusion of physical and mental states influenced by sensitivity and introspection. From his detailed bas- reliefs to immersive installations, Jean- Baptiste infuses architecture with life, symbolizing human imperfection and sensitivity.
He injects organic forms into unexpected places, constantly seeking « forms of fragility » and the « sensuality » within architecture. His compositions prioritize visual refinement, with meticulously removed material etching details onto plaster surfaces. This deliberate act invites viewers to intimately engage with his work, finding solace within its structures. For this project, Jean- Baptiste presents Genius Loci, a triptych exploring the « spirit of place ». Each bas-relief represents distinct architectural forms, inviting viewers to intimately explore these intricately crafted pieces.
« We merge with ceramics, we “eat” ceramics. It penetrates my soul » – Béatrice Guilleman
Béatrice has found inspiration in architecture for her ceramics: « Architecture speaks to me; it is inherent to history, to the sociology of the city, and is part of a narrative ». Her creations arise not only from technical mastery and clay but also from the constraints of location, format, and surrounding architecture. Yet, it is her imagination that shapes her pieces and bas-reliefs. For this project, Béatrice draws inspiration from Brussels, the heart of the Art nouveau movement. She presents columns and elevations influenced by Art nouveau, featuring organic shapes and bas-reliefs depicting animals. These animals serve as a pretext to explore themes of life and otherness, human history, or caricature. They become « companions », imbued with an apotropaic function, acting as good luck charms to ward off evil spirits. They appears on the elevations as protection’s talismans.
« I capture the essence of what I see as authentic » – Rami Hara
Stranger Danger: a project that starts in Brussels and reaches across the globe. The title plays on a phrase from our childhoods – how often did we hear our parents warn us to be wary of strangers and not trust them? Rami turns this notion on its head, using his photos to show how encounters with strangers can be enriching and positive. His work captures the essence of human connection: « What interests me is the exploration of human connection ». Adopting a “documentary” approach, Rami photographs people in their daily routines, aiming to capture them in their activities and from their perspectives. His portraits of encounters and connections transcend time, reflecting moments in our current society: « The world today is a melting pot. I try to show the complexity of human encounters ». By focusing on the essence of his subjects, particularly their eyes, Rami gives voice to their stories.
Each photograph becomes a vehicle for storytelling, with the “soul” of the subject, captured in the image, narrating a life story.
« I like the contrast between the fragility of the drawing and the imposing architectures that I represent » – Amélie Scotta
Amélie Scotta began her architectural work in Belgium. Her pieces exhibit a deliberate slowing of time through meticulous, almost meditative hand drawing. Her works are « silent, empty, and nearly abandoned », expressing intimacy and solitude, and tracing a search for the in-between. The tension between completion and incompletion, and the fragility of the medium, contrast with the monumentality of the constructions represented. Volumen, presented here, is a graphite drawing on a 10-meter roll of paper that took a year to complete. Inspired by the diversity of Iberian’s facades, the drawing evolves randomly based on the artist’s explorations. It depicts an infinite facade: a “train” that traverses the city of Madrid from the periphery to the center, a wall that protects and confines. Volumen « is a way of apprehending the city from below, by walking with this idea of accident and randomness inherent to any urban form ». This imaginary city unfolds transiently, making it a mobile work that requires the observer to move laterally, without depth or obligatory routes.
« A pathway, essentially. An architectural narrative » – Mattia Listowski
Mattia Listowski’s creative approach imbues Brussels with echoes of its past. Through his compositions, the city whispers its history, intertwining it with personal narratives. Mattia constructs a tapestry of memories, drawing from his own experiences and family heritage: « My inspiration stems from the intimate, where I extract forms ». Though memories may seem distant, they serve as the foundation of our existence. Within this threshold between reality and memory, Mattia finds fertile ground to explore personal and collective recollections: « It epitomizes a city’s history – a layering of objects, people, and eras, where connections transcend time and space ». His creative process mimics the nonlinear and instinctive nature of memory formation. Relief becomes the common thread in his friezes, tangible imprints of extracted memories from a fictional locale. Here, mastery intertwines with chance, fostering a dialogue between materiality and serendipity.
Article by Alice Ros / WeLoveBrussels
