September 16, 2012
Deweer Gallery
Tiegemstraat 6A
B-8553 Otegem
Belgium
Deweer Gallery was founded in 1979 by Mark & Marleen Deweer. For more than thirty years, they have brought contemporary art from around the world to rural Otegem. Thanks to their ongoing search for now international talent, the gallery has become an established name in the art world. The torch is now passed on to the second generation, sons Gerald & Bart Deweer will continue with the same fervour as their parents.
The generational change is marked by a thorough renovation and expansion of the gallery. This includes an actual doubling of the exhibition space to 1200 square meters.
A number of technical and public facilities have been added as well: a professionally equipped depot, an artists’ residence, a library, a kitchen, and an archive.
The new approach is also evidenced in the ambitious gallery programme which includes many new international artists, all of whom have associated themselves with Deweer Gallery. The opening of the new gallery is celebrated with Re-Opening, a three-part group exhibition with 25 participating artists.
Room I: new lobby and large exhibition hall
This is where new and never before shown work is presented by artists Michaël Aerts, Stephan Balkenhol, Sergey Bratkov, Jan Fabre, Günther Förg, Tatjana Gerhard, Melissa Gordon, Enrique Marty, Benjamin Moravec, Yehudit Sasportas, Jorinde Voigt and Norbert Witzgall.
Room II: large downstairs exhibition hall
Group exhibition with sculptural works by Nina Beier & Marie Lund, Monica Bonvicini, Stefaan Dheedene,
Kasia Fudakowski, Simon Dybbroe Møller and Andy Wauman
Room III: upstairs exhibition hall
Group exhibition with a focus on the narrative as inspiration; works by Athanasios Argianas, Keren Cytter, Ilya Kabakov, Matthew Lutz-Kinoy, Panamarenko, Gerda Scheepers and Alexandre Singh.
Deweer Gallery now houses several permanent installations:
The sculpture Denkmal 6AB by Jan De Cock is used as an actual office
Paar auf Drehscheiben (Couple on Turntables) by Stephan Balkenhol, a monumental sculpture on the street side of the gallery
Batopillo by Panamarenko will be installed at the new entrance
Schuilkelder—atelier voor de Chileense kunstenaar—krijgers en kuisvrouwen I & II (Underground shelter—studio for Chilean artist—warriors and cleaning women I & II) by Jan Fabre in a newly constructed basement under Room I
An entrance gate with a wink by Kasia Fudakowski
The opening will be held on September 16, 2012 from 2 to 6pm
Speeches by
Gerald Deweer & Jo Coucke, Deweer Gallery
Carl Decaluwé, Governor of the Province of West Flanders Claude Vanwelden, Mayor of the Municipality of Zwevegem
A two-part, richly illustrated catalogue of the gallery and the Re-Opening exhibition will be available.