Jef Verheyen – Venster op het Oneindige

KMSKA

Leopold de Waelplaats 1, Antwerpen

23/03/2024 – 18/08/2024

Jef Verheyen

Between ‘Turning Heads’ and an exhibition for the Ensor year, there was room for an exhibition around Jef Verheyen. This year marks the 40th anniversary of his death. I must admit that I didn’t know much about him before the exhibition, but with the preparation, the exhibition catalog (and the expert explanation from the curators) I am really starting to become a fan!

Jef Verheyen, born in 1932, was mainly interested in ceramics during his education at the Antwerp Academy. He also met his future wife, Dani Franque, at the Academy. Together they will work with ceramics for several years. You can also see some examples of their work in the exhibition.

Combination with contemporary artists

The exhibition is a collaboration between the KMSKA, the M HKA and the Jef Verheyen Archive. Variety is provided because contemporary artists were also invited. My favorite is ‘Pebble Treble’ by Pieter Vermeersch in the middle of the exhibition. He painted the rotating wall in the exhibition space (you don’t see a single brush strip!) and on the other side of the wall there is a newspaper. The newspaper is replaced every day.

In addition to Vermeersch, you will also find works by Kimsooja in the exhibition: be sure to go through the door on the left to fully feel the effect of the ‘rainbow colours’, I couldn’t capture it in a photo. Two works by Ann Veronica Janssens can also be seen in the exhibition rooms. Already at the entrance hall you have a view of the first contemporary work that is part of the exhibition: ‘Mechelen Marauder’ by Carla Arocha and Stéphne Schraenen, the cylinder breaks the space and reflects the works in De Keyserzaal.

Special loans

The exhibition includes loans from the Yves Klein Foundation, the Uecker Archiv and the Fondazione Lucio Fontana, among others. The most striking is ‘Pluie Bleue’ by Yves Klein. Verheyen selected this work for the exhibition Integration 64 in the Arena in Deurne. It consists of 12 stems mounted to the ceiling in the typical Yves Klein blue. Be sure to walk around it, because the bars seem to change color.

In the ‘normal’ museum rooms you will find other works by Jef Verheyen: in ‘Licht’ the works remain. On the second floor, with old art, Jean Fouquet’s Madonna is joined by the diptych ‘Lux est Lex’ by Verheyen and a few rooms further, in Abundance hangs ‘Fiori Oscuri’ from the collection of Axel and May Vervoordt.

Meditative view on art

I no longer feel form, only vibrating spaces, my canvas is space itself and I do not feel attached in any way to the surface on which I am working. … It is therefore logical that I no longer have any notion of the surface, that I feel as if I am the centre of that space. I alone faced by that space. I alone faced by that void.

(Jef Verheyen)

Guided Tours

You will also see me there as a guide (or) to come and look at the works again. If you would like a tour, you can always indicate this when booking or contact me.