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Still Life from Flanders
11 February - 17 April 2010
Under the umbrella of 'Still Life from Flanders' this exhibition
aims to bring together nine accomplished Flemish artists
working in Flanders. The artists capture the mood and stillness of
their surroundings through a combination of techniques and a
variety of materials to achieve simplicity of form and colour. They
translate their cultural heritage into objects for our
contemplation, which are evocative in today's environment.
The diversity of techniques Thakker uses to translate her ideas,
give life to her jewellery. Unit constructions, elemental actions,
deforming and distorting are some of her means to add vitality
and tension to her work. Their ingenuity only becoming clear the
moment they are worn and follow the movement of body, arm or
hand.
Through research into materials and production De Ruysser
developed an innovative flexible, metal-textile composite. De
Ruysser uses a range of folding patterns, leading to different
movements to create decorative objects and wearable pieces.
They are multi-faceted and can change in shape and size.
Each project is the result of a collaboration. Therefore, 'sharing' is
the thread which runs through their work: from one chair for two
people, jewellery with a double use, a two-part bottle, coins with
an extra value to a secret invitation to share a bed.
They interrogate the boundaries between design and the visual
arts in their jewellery, objects, installations and furniture.
Through small and subtle interventions Luc and Sofie give
everyday objects a new significance.
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| Sofie Lachaert & Luc d'Hanis |
Internationally recognised silversmith David Huycke is a
specialist in the traditional technique of granulation. He explores
the potential of this technique. The granule, the original
ornament loses its primary, decorative function and changes into
the essential building material of the object; ornament becomes
structure as well as the independent base of the work. Huycke
creates a striking sense of duality through contrast: heavy and
light, shadow and substance.
De Corte work has been strongly influenced by her travels to Indonesia and the crafts
produced there. She discovered a great presence of beauty in their production, form
and techniques. De Corte combines these Eastern influences with her minimal,
monochromatic aesthetic. Through weaving and basket ware De Corte is able to
express her travel experiences in jewellery and to break through and expand the
boundaries of jewellery.
Opgenhaffen is inspired by landscape and the changing coloration of rock strata. Her
ideas are expressed by recreating the earth's crust from thousands of little porcelain
tiles which are overlapped in colour sequences, changing gradually through their hue
and tone. Opgenhaffen achieves a strong dialogue between the shadow lines, the open
spaces and the denser areas where the colour changes more dramatically, giving a
sense of rhythm and movement. The work creates the impression of a dream landscape
scored by river channels, breaking open to reveal cracks and fissures where the play of
light creates vibration.
Laureys likes her ceramics to have a sense of excitement and freshness, and they must
be tactile. She says "My ceramics are metaphors for feeling". The process starts by
throwing a classic, symmetrical pot. Whilst the clay is still soft and wet, she pulls at it;
folding, pinching and puncturing it, the tension of the clay underneath her fingers
dictating the way the folds will take shape. She describes this process as: "a physical
exploration of action, reaction and interaction between hand, mind and material" Although the pieces seem to have a random quality, Laureys takes her time finding the
shape of a bowl, remoulding and refolding the clay over and over again.
Stockmans believes creation is the result of activity and not of thinking. It is in the
activity that ideas are generated, which, themselves, give rise to new ones. His gestural
mark making is made through an automatic response and repetitive processes. He
compares this method to the way mantras are recited or everyday gestures repeated.
His handling of clay is a quest for simplicity and peace.
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