Ornamental Gestures
In ‘Ornamental Gestures’, echoes of diverse cultural references resonate,converging in a dialogue between tradition and the contemporary.
The exhibition marks a growing movement within current art: a shift towards 'neo-folklore'. Within this current, the gaze turns not outward, but inward—towards the intimate, local lived environment and personal social history. Here, the ornament is not mere decoration, but a vessel for identity and memory. The participating artists embrace a tactility often lost in our visual culture. They seamlessly combine contemporary aesthetics with artisanal techniques, imbuing everyday objects with new significance. The use of materials is eclectic and surprising: ranging from furniture and traditionaltextiles to the ephemerality of baby powder. Each work is a tangible gesture, referencing the rituals and habits that shape us. Ornamental Gestures demonstrates how today's artists do not imitate the past, but reinterpret it to grasp their own surroundings.
Pictures by Thor Vermijlen
