30 october 2023, Yves Joris
Growflow: a delicate dance of art and nature
The contrast with the previous artist couldn't be greater. The vibrant colours, confrontational figuration and precise geometric lines of Tom Woestenborghs have given way to the delicate colour palette of Stéphanie Leblon. Art Gallery De Wael 15 immerses you in a world where art and nature celebrate a harmonious fusion during the Growflow exhibition, where Stéphanie Leblon's artistic universe unfolds, focusing on a profound understanding of the subtlety of proliferation and elegance of growth.
Every inch of the exhibition space envelops you in an atmosphere of contemplation. The artworks, a careful balance between paintings and sculptures, radiate a refined tranquillity amidst the untamed chaos of the nature depicted. Growflow is not only a testament to Leblon's evolution as an artist, but also demonstrates her ability to capture the essence of proliferation and transform it into sublime elegance.
Meditative harmony
In the paintings, lines and forms blend into an organic, almost meditative harmony. The brushstrokes feel like gentle caresses on the canvas, like whispers of nature inviting you to deep introspection. Her colour palette, ranging from earthy tones to vibrant accents, encompasses the rich diversity of nature and its eternal transition.
Stéphanie Leblon, Growflow Panel I, 2023, Art Gallery De Wael 15
Yet the difference with her earlier work is significant. The presence of white – or rather the absence of colour – allows her work to breathe more. This does not mean her work should be viewed differently. On the contrary, it provides an opportunity to witness Leblon's personal growth up close. She accomplishes this not by adding elements, but by using figurative images more sparingly, allowing viewers to unleash their imagination in this floral environment.
Stéphanie Leblon, Growflow Sculpture I, 2023, Art Gallery De Wael 15
As you further explore the exhibition, you encounter Leblon's sculptures. This is her first foray into the third dimension – and a successful one at that. The sculptures seem to breathe, imbued with life and growth, as sculpted expressions of the power of nature. Yet subtlety is maintained, both in the texture of the paint and lines of the sculptures. Light dances on the sculptures, bringing them to life through shadows and imparting a new dimension to the space.
Stéphanie Leblon, Growflow Wallsculpture III, 2023, Art Gallery De Wael 15
Symphony of subtlety
The intimate exhibition Growflow forms a symphony of subtlety, playing the notes of nature with unparalleled precision. Leblon invites you to look at the world around you with fresh eyes, to discover beauty in the smallest of details and to reveal the deeper harmony often hidden in the chaos of everyday life.
The exhibition reminds us that within the apparent chaos of our existence, in the midst of the bustle of our thoughts, hidden beauty resides. Stephanie Leblon's work invites us to slow down, to quietly wander among the works of art and open our senses to the subtle tones of life.
Growflow encourages us to appreciate the contrast between proliferation and subtlety and to discover the deeper meaning hidden beneath the surface. Growflow is not only a title but also a promise of transformation and enlightenment, where art and nature collaborate in an enchanting choreography of growth and subtlety. It is also a new path that Leblon has embarked on with her sculptures, a path we wholeheartedly applaud.
Stéphanie Leblon, Growflow Drawing IV, 2023, Art Gallery De Wael 15
