Middle Gate

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    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".

    Jan Cox

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    ©Courtesy Adriaan Raemdonck
    Papageno, 1976
    Jan Cox
    Painting , 80 x 75 cm
    acrylic on canvas

    “Following the Ilias (Iliad) Jan Cox had planned on painting a counterpart for the series, inspired by Mozart’s Magic Flute. After the painful and highly dramatic beauty of the Ilias, he wanted to create something with compassion and tenderness. The masonic opera by Mozart, in which an optimistic view of humanity is portrayed, was a perfect fit. However, the gruelling effort needed to complete the Ilias meant Cox was unable to fulfil his plan. He would only complete a few works. These works are illustrations for the opera (Papageno), in his paintings the subject would become more personal.”[1]

     

    [1] Philippe Pirotte in Jan Cox, Snoeck-Ducaju & zoon, Gemeentekrediet, 1996, p.24

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