SHIFT
Group Show: Abstract Transformations
Dates: 3 October – 22 December 2024
Location: Zeedijk-Het Zoute 700, 8300 Knokke-Heist
In the world of abstract art, the language of form, colour, and texture has always been a vessel for conveying the most profound human experiences-those that defy the constraints of representation and venture into the realm of the ineffable. "SHIFT," the latest exhibition at Buysse Gallery, presents a dynamic dialogue between two generations of artists who have dedicated themselves to this expressive power of abstraction. The exhibition traces a lineage that begins with the visceral, material-rich work of Bram Bogart, extending into the vibrant, optical explorations of contemporary artists such as Cyrielle Gulacsy, Tom Van Puyvelde, Lieven Deconinck, Emanuel Seitz, Irina Ojovan, Damien Bénéteau, Stien Bekaert, and Tycjan Knut.
At the heart of "SHIFT" is the concept of transformation-both within the medium of abstraction itself and in the broader context of artistic evolution. Bram Bogart, whose career spanned much of the 20th century, is celebrated for his tactile, almost sculptural approach to painting. His thick, impastoed surfaces invite the viewer not merely to look, but to feel the weight and presence of the paint as a material. In Bogart's hands, abstraction becomes a sensuous experience, grounded in the physicality of the medium. His works are meditations on the substance of paint, where colour and form emerge through the very act of creation, embodying a raw, primal energy.
In contrast, the contemporary artists featured in "SHIFT" take the foundations laid by Bogart and propel them into new realms of optical and conceptual inquiry. Cyrielle Gulacsy, Tom Van Puyvelde, and their peers embrace the transformative potential of abstraction, but with a twist that reflects the complexities of the modern world. Their works are imbued with a sense of illusion, where colour, shape, and form are manipulated to create dynamic visual experiences that challenge the viewer's perception.
Gulacsy's intricate compositions, for instance, play with the interplay of light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and movement that seems to shift and change before the viewer's eyes. Her use of colour is both subtle and striking, drawing the viewer into a world where boundaries are blurred and forms dissolve into a shimmering, almost ephemeral beauty. Van Puyvelde, on the other hand, explores the tension between the incessant discovery dictated by the brushstroke and the complex expressive variety bestowed by the pictorial material., as if the shapes themselves were alive and in motion.
Lieven Deconinck and Emanuel Seitz further this exploration by engaging with the spatial and structural possibilities of abstraction. Deconinck's works are characterised by their meticulous attention to detail, where every line and form is placed with deliberate intent, creating a harmonious balance that is both serene and dynamic. Seitz's approach is more expansive, using bold, sweeping gestures to carve out space on the canvas, where colours collide and converge in a dance of energy and emotion.
Irina Ojovan and Damien Bénéteau bring a more introspective, contemplative sensibility to the exhibition. Ojovan's works are marked by their subtle gradations of colour and texture, evoking a sense of quiet reflection and inner stillness. Her abstract forms, while rooted in the materiality of paint, seem to hover on the edge of dissolution, capturing the transient nature of existence. Bénéteau, by contrast, introduces an element of playfulness, using light and shadow to create works that shift and change depending on the viewer's perspective, inviting a deeper engagement with the act of seeing.
Stien Bekaert and Tycjan Knut round out the exhibition with works that push the boundaries of abstraction into new and unexpected territories. Bekaert's pieces are a celebration of colour and form, where vibrant hues collide and merge in a riot of energy and movement. Her works are bold and unapologetic, demanding the viewer's attention and challenging them to see beyond the surface. Knut, meanwhile, takes a more subdued approach, using subtle gradations of tone and texture to create works that are both meditative and evocative, inviting the viewer into a world of quiet contemplation and introspection.
"SHIFT" is a conversation across time and space, a meeting point where the past and present converge in a dynamic exploration of abstraction. It honours the legacy of Bram Bogart, whose work remains a touchstone for the sensuous possibilities of the medium, while celebrating the innovative spirit of a new generation of artists who continue to push the boundaries of what abstraction can be. In this exhibition, the viewer is invited to witness the transformative power of art-to see, to feel, and to experience the shifting landscapes of abstraction in all its forms.
