Middle Gate

    NLEN

    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".

    Fred Bervoets

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    Collectie De Zwarte Panter, Antwerpen, image: (c) Luc Vuegen
    De aanbidding, 1967
    Fred Bervoets
    Mixed Media , 40 x 30 cm
    geschilderde ets, papier op doek

    Bervoets has the reputation of an Einzelgänger, a role which is perfect for him and allows him total artistic freedom. His oeuvre can be characterised as radical, uncompromising and contains narrative, autobiographical and expressionist (in some instances even baroque) stylistic elements. All of the above was quite the opposite of the reigning stylistic works of the contemporary fine arts in the eighties and nineties.

    In the last couple of years, the general painting style in the contemporary arts has shifted to a more open and expressionistic style (for example the works of Jonathan Meese and Kati Heck). This style of painting resonates more with Bervoets’ oeuvre.

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