09 august 2024, Yves Joris
Sculptural, a three-dimensional dialogue between Antwerp and Middelkerke
On entering the NQ Gallery for the Sculptural exhibition, you are immediately overwhelmed by a sense of space and innovation. Artist Nick Ervinck has curated the exhibition, which runs parallel to a similar exhibition at K.E.R.K. Middelkerke. Both offer a complementary and intriguing view of contemporary sculpture by a diverse group of artists and brief yet fascinating dialogue between form, space and material.
What immediately stands out is the mutual harmony among the works by the ten participating artists. Ervinck has succeeded in highlighting both the versatility of sculpture and unique visions of the individual artists. Every corner of the gallery space is carefully utilised to provide the viewer with an experience that is both intellectually stimulating and visually stunning.
False sense of security
Elleke Frijters' work, a delicate dance between organic forms and clean lines, compels you to stop and consider its complexity. At first glance, Bird’s Eye View from 2024 looks like a bird on a stick, but reveals itself as a replica of a surveillance camera. This work explores the notions of perception, security and appearance. Frijters delves into human perception and the thin line between reality and illusion. Her work invites reflection on how we perceive and interpret the world around us. Bird’s Eye View confronts the viewer with the paradox of apparent security. The surveillance camera, a symbol of control and security, turns out to be non-functional, raising questions about the effectiveness of surveillance and our trust in technology.
Elleke Frijters, Bird's eye view, NQ Gallery
Making the wind visible
Next to Frijters' work are two subtle yet powerful sculptures by Sven Boel. His work, often abstract and made from various materials like metal, glass and plastic, exudes a serene monumentality. The soft, almost fluid forms reveal an inner landscape, a silent meditation on human vulnerability and spiritual depth. His sculptures invite contemplation, a moment of peace amidst the dynamism of the other work. Boel's exploration of light and shadow, as well as the reflective properties of his materials, creates an ever-changing experience, depending on the viewer's position.
Study for Weather Vane from 2019 is an intriguing work that is both aesthetically appealing and conceptually engaging. The work shows an abstract organic form made of white material reminiscent of a cloud or a gust of wind. This form rests on a striking yellow base that extends like a pool. The title suggests a study of movement and dynamics, something clearly reflected in the sculpture. Boel's choice of the contrasting colours white and yellow enhances the visual impact of the work, while the flowing lines and forms evoke a sense of movement and change. This work is highly recognisable within Boel's oeuvre, in which he often experiments with abstract forms and materials to express complex ideas about space, movement and transformation.
Sven Boel, Studie naar windvaandel, 2019, NQ Gallery
Exegi monumentum
Thistle from 2023 by Caroline Coolen attracts our attention with its choice of material and form. The thistle plant, often considered an unwanted weed, is cast in bronze for the occasion. This elevates the everyday plant to a monumental artwork, with the robustness of bronze emphasising the resilience and beauty of nature. Coolen, known for her work exploring the boundaries between nature and culture, challenges conventional expectations with this combination of organic forms and hard materials. Her work invites a re-evaluation of the natural world, showing how beauty and value are often found in unexpected places. In this work, this approach is fully realised, with the delicate plant in bronze becoming a powerful symbol of resilience and eternity.
Links Caroline Coolen, Thistle, 2023, NQ Gallery
A layered story in different voices
In his selection of sculptures, Ervinck has not lost sight of thematic cohesion, creating a dialogue between the different works. As a result, the gallery has become a space where different voices come together to tell a rich, layered story about contemporary sculpture.
The Sculptural exhibition would not be complete without the inclusion of Nick Ervinck's own work. His sculptures, often large in scale and futuristic, form a highlight of the exhibition. Ervinck's use of 3D printing and digital techniques results in complex, detailed forms that pay tribute to both nature and technology. His works of art seem to float in space, a perfect balance between mass and emptiness, between the physical and the virtual.
What makes this exhibition even more unique is the simultaneous exhibition in Middelkerke. This dual perspective offers a unique opportunity to experience the work in different contexts and see how surroundings can influence our perception of art – same artists, similar work, only with a different setting.
Sculptural is more than an exhibition; it is an experience that explores and challenges the boundaries of sculpture. Nick Ervinck has made a captivating selection of work that shows both the depth of the medium and diversity of contemporary artists. This exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in the future of sculpture and the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Nick Ervinck, Plezurios, 2023, NQ Gallery
