A comprehensive overview of renowned Belgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere’s work since 2014, inspired by the figure of the angel

Belgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere has long been a leading light in the international contemporary art world whose sculptures, installations and drawings endeavor to find the meaning of humanity, physicality, suffering and vitality.

Conceived in the loneliness and isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book explores De Bruyckere’s recent, never-before-seen work inspired by the figure of the angel as portrayed in myths, stories, literature and art history. According to De Bruyckere, an angel—with its warm, dark wings—provides protection, a refuge from fear. The angel guards against a lonely existence and, even more importantly, against a lonely death. It symbolizes the fragile line De Bruyckere treads between artistic poeticism and engagement with current affairs.
 
This volume will serve as an essential resource on an artist whose works constitute a provocative and influential addition to the contemporary art canon.

Distributed for Mercatorfonds

Exhibition Schedule:

Bonnefantenmuseum Maastrich, The Netherlands
(March 29–September 26, 2021)

Stijn Huijts is an art historian, critic, and chief executive officer and director of the Bonnefantenmuseum in Maastricht, The Netherlands.