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".

Ria Pacquée

°1954
Born in Merksem, BE
Lives in Antwerp, BE

Ria Pacquée (°1954) has been active as an artist since 1979. She portrays casual situations and objects from the everyday world: the street, the market, cemeteries and the desert are her work area.

Initially, her work consists of performances and body art. In the early eighties, for example, she develops the Madame character, exploring her life for several years. She is accompanied by a photographer who captures Madame's experiences. Despite the light humours approach, the photos present an endless loneliness.

Since 1992, Pacquée renounces performance and takes place behind the camera herself. From then on, different series follow. Often, these are pictures of objects found in the street, which are mutually associated through their shape or colour. This way, she shows our environment in a different manner.

Pacquée's later work is characterised by observation, with strong elements of visual anthropology and political commentary.

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