The exhibition project Middle Gate II – The Story of Dymphna is a collaboration between M HKA (Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp) and the cultural centre de Werft in Geel. Middle Gate II is the follow up to the exhibition Middle Gate, curated by Jan Hoet in Geel in 2013. The exhibition concept is closely tied to the legend of the holy Dymphna, saint of the possessed, the mentally ill and patroness against epilepsy and insanity. The legend of Dymphna shares a strong connection to the identity of Geel, "the charitable city".

Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven / AMVK

(c)image: M HKA
Ward, disturbed. Ward, quiet, 2013-2015
Mixed Media , 124.5 x 3000 cm
digital print and mixed media on plexiglass, mounted on wooden frame

HeadNurse, figure of thought as well as an alter ego, recurs throughout AMVK’s more recent work and references both hierarchical social institutions and the need to cure our inner demons and heal the world. She is an explicit presence in the textual elements of the work Ward, disturbed. Ward, quiet (2013–15), which also features some digitally modified samples from AMVK’s collection of pre-sexual revolution erotic photographs.