MY SECRET GARDEN ARNE QUINZE
ARNE QUINZE
MARUANI MERCIER GALLERY
Deurle, March 14, 2018
Dear Arne, This spring, I visited your studio in the rural, rustic Sint-Martens-Latem for the very first time. Behind the modest fence of scrub, I did unexpectedly discover a studio exploding with creative production, which, in terms of scale and content, almost seems to be the ultimate habitat of a contemporary homo universalis. Subsequently, and quite rightly so, you introduced yourself as «a man of the planet.» It was an abundance of paintings, objects, sculptures and project ideas for public spaces developed for the most diverse places around the world. Our ‘little Flanders’ is only a small dot on your gigantic playground. The studio contains a special micro-world, filled with global proposals for a complex reality. You surprised me with a range of stories, facts, and ideas ranging from flowers, artistry, production, fishing, the city, politics, ecology, fame, the small homeland and the wonderful big world. The work of Arne is very diverse and floats with a variety of construction, architecture, image, diversity and romance. It cannot be reduced to one discipline. Such enthusiasm and plurality in production are rare. Rather than the typical romantic struggle of the artist with society, your artistic practice is one of resolute embrace. The engagement is shown through a total dedication that leads to an art that approaches the universe of people, fauna, flora, in all its beauty and diversity. In this respect, it is not at all surprising that you consider the nineteenth century Impressionists as your great examples of the present day.
As a critical answer to the arrival of urbanization and industrialization and the start of modern times, they used the pleasure of urbanity and the beauty of nature as subjects. Capturing movement and focusing on everyday reality are two other aspects that bridge to your artistic practice. We also talked about the perception of your work. In the Belgian art world, the name Arne Quinze often has an ambiguous connotation, due to its expressive character and atypical but accessible work. As a man of the planet, you justly came up with this simple conclusion: «In Flanders, by definition, success and greatness are mistrusted.» No need to elaborate on this, when one looks at the positive reception of your work on a global scale with future projects in metropolises like Hong Kong, São Paulo, Mexico City,... After all, Arne Quinze is also a boy ‘from the street’. He started his artistic career as a graffiti artist in the eighties in and around the streets of Brussels and quickly learned the meaning and power of sign, colour, shape, word, speed and scale in the urban space. His work is essentially about bringing people together and social interaction, regardless of origin or nationality, always and at any time. I am very much looking forward to the new series of paintings and its secular secrets that will be portrayed during the My Secret Garden exhibition. Joost Declercq Museum Director DHONDT-DHAENENS
I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN T 1971, WE, AS HUMANS, HA ONE-THIRD OF THE FLORA A CONSIDER IT MY DUTY TO USE BALANCE BETWEEN CULTURE TO ENCOURAGE A CONVERSAT WAY WE THINK AND ASK QU THE AWARENESS OF THE VIEW A MORE BEAUTIFUL AND DIVE
THAT SINCE I WAS BORN IN AVE MANAGED TO DESTROY AND FAUNA. AS AN ARTIST I MY ART TO CALL FOR A BETTER AND NATURE. I AM TRYING ATION THAT WILL CHANGE THE UESTIONS. I WANT TO RAISE WING PUBLIC, RESULTING IN ERSE SOCIETY. ARNE QUINZE
MY SECRET GARDEN The development of this series of "My Secret Garden" paintings was preceded by a great quest. Arne Quinze started this project 6 years ago by planting a flower meadow of more than 4000 plants and flowers around his house, achieving a complete metamorphosis in order to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of nature. How do plants grow, develop and behave? How do they evolve through the seasons? What is the symbiotic relationship between different plants? And above all, how do they influence us? Quinze worked, arranged and researched his own garden in an almost romantic way, following in the footsteps of the great Impressionist Monet in order to arrive at a moment of knowledge and insight, thus allowing him to paint freely and without constraints. My Secret Garden is an exuberant explosive series, full of dynamics, color, diversity and composition spread over several canvases. Enormous canvases of expressive and explosive colour, and smaller canvases hinting at poetic almost feminine romanticism. With his My Secret Garden series, Arne Quinze lays himself bare to the viewer. He demonstrates the search, the commitment and the fight that led him to the perfect Secret Garden. My Secret Garden is a very personal series, and perhaps for that very reason, most can identify with it. The ultimate challenge is to engage viewers to look into their own inner selves and discover their own Secret Garden. For many years, Quinze has been recognized all over the world for his unique public installations and returns to his Flanders with My Secret Garden where we, the Maruani Mercier gallery, are proud to exhibit his work.
My Secret Rose Garden 180118 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 120 x 120 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 180121 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 120 x 120 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Crazy For You 180202 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on aluminium panel, copper leaves 250 x 500 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 180112 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 150 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 180115 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 150 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 180103 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 210 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 180106 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 210 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Queen Margaret I Of Denmark 171127 2017 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 200 x 400 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 170212 2017 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 200 x 200 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Imagination 180315 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 140 x 200 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Dream Lover 180215 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 140 x 200 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Tarsila The Rose Queen 180122 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 200 x 400 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Open Arms 180313 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 100 x 120 cm
My Secret Rose Garden 180109 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 210 x 180 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Chloe 180311 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Breath of Life 180212 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Dainty Bess 180303 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden New Dawn 180110 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Saphire 180123 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 150 cm
My Secret Rose Garden Bella Rosa 171102 2017 mixed media: acrylic paint on canvas, copper leaves 180 x 150 cm
My Secret Garden Rose Garden 171122 2017 aluminium paint 101 x 200 x 15 cm
Study of My Secret Garden 180104 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint and copper leaves on paper 52 x 79 cm framed: 69 x 97 cm OVER Study of My Secret Garden 180107 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint and copper leaves on paper 52 x 60 cm framed: 69,2 x 77 cm Study of My Secret Garden 180120 2018 mixed media: acrylic paint and copper leaves on paper 52 x 59,5 cm framed: 69 x 77 cm
Natural Chaos Gold Edition V01
In collaboration with VERIDOR the renowned Belgian artist Arne Quinze created a unique artwork in June 2014.A total of approx. 45 kg of precious metal was used to produce the 1.30 m × 1.25 m × 1.55 m (L × W × H) work. It was primarily made of 18-carat rose gold and of the finest 18-carat palladium- white gold in rod and pipe form, as well as gold wire and leaves, flat strips of gold and various golden jewellery ornaments that VERIDOR prepared beforehand according to the artist’s designs. In Pforzheim, the home of VERIDOR, Quinze then – after weeks of preparation – merged the individual components into an impressive work of art. The work is an essential element, and indeed the heart, of Quinze’s Natural Chaos series of pieces. VERIDOR and Arne Quinze – a mutually exciting and inspiring collaboration. It was the first time Arne Quinze had worked with real gold: ‘I had wanted to work with gold for many years, but the right place, right time and, above all, the right partner had always been lacking,’ said Quinze. ‘But now I have found the ideal partner in VERIDOR and the perfect gold products to create something that meets my high quality standards.’ Quinze selected the finest rose gold (750) from a range of 18 different gold alloys. ‘This colour tone is unbelievably soft and sophisticated and has a very natural, almost pastel-like appearance,’ said Quinze enthusiastically. The first drafts for the artwork created in Pforzheim came into being four years ago. Following the work at VERIDOR in Pforzheim, Quinze added the finishing touches to the artwork in Belgium, ready to present it to the public on 28 June. ‘There is no chaos, only structure’, is the message of Quinze’s works. Natural Chaos represent a symbolic and physical connection between people and tries provoking reaction. With these eye-catching art pieces Quinze attempts to intervene in the daily life of passersby. He often compares his art pieces with the effect you feel when experiencing a great force of nature. The unspoilt confrontation when nature blows you away and leaves you completely dazed.
Formal name of the project NATURAL CHAOS Golden Edition No. 1 Construction period : June 2014 Dimensions : 1.30 m × 1.25 m × 1.55 m (L × W × H) - 45 kg Materials : Rose gold 18 kt: 27,955.50 g White gold 18 kt: 5,708.60 g Fine palladium: 770.66 g Fine silver: 11,380.00 g 176 meters of the highest quality precious metal products have been used to make Natural Chaos Golden Edition No. 1.
St. Moritz Art Masters - Badrutts Palace
biography
ARNE QUINZE Arne Quinze was born in 1971 in Belgium and lives and works in Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium as well as in São Paulo., Brazil. In the eighties he began working as a graffiti artist, and the urge to express himself artistically dates from this period, but he never finished an official art education. Quinze creates large and small sculptures, drawings, paintings, and large-scale installations. Smaller works, sketches and drawings are the basis and research for his large installations. Recurring fundamentals in his oeuvre are the use of multiple types of wood, including salvaged wood, as well as electrical colors in fluorescent paint. His works often pick social interaction, communication, and urbanism as their central themes. What drives Quinze is the belief in the possible realization of an idealistic society where all individuals communicate and interact.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2018
Knokke (BE) · Maruani Mercier Gallery: My Secret Garden
2017
Los Angeles (CA, US) · Denk Gallery: Jungle Cities
2016
Herford (DE) · Marta Herford: Bizarre Spaces Antwerpen (BE) · At The Gallery: Mutations The Hague (NL) · Beelden Aan Zee: Natural Chaos, a series of sculptures Werchter (BE) · Rock Werchter: North West Walls ( as Curator)
2015
Antwerpen (BE) · At The Gallery: CityView Shanghai (CN) · Art021: Natural Chaos Werchter (BE) · Rock Werchter: North West Walls ( as Curator) Brussel (BE) · Human Rights Watch: Natural Chaos
2014
Antwerpen (BE) · At The Gallery: One World St. Moritz (CH) · St. Moritz Art Masters: Natural Golden Chaos Shanghai (CN) · (Shanghai Art Fair): Art Asia A1 Werchter (BE) · Rock Werchter: North West Walls ( as Curator)
2013
Singapore (SG) · Purple Roof Gallery (Art Stage Singapore): Breeding Life New York (NY, US) · Paul Kasmin Gallery (Frieze Art Fair): Bidonville Nice (FR) · Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain: Chaos in Motion Hong Kong (HK) · Paul Kasmin Gallery (Art Basel Hongkong): Stilthouse Antwerpen (BE) · At The Gallery: Chaos in Motion
2012
Hasselt (BE) · Eastmen Gallery: Chaos New York (NY, US) · Vicky David Gallery: My Home My House My Stilthouse Rotterdam (NL) · Kunsthal: My Secret Garden Ostend (BE) · Venetiaanse Gallerijen (Beaufort 04): Cities like open air museums Lille (FR) · Guy Pieters Gallery (Lille Art Fair): Maquettes and Works Karlsruhe (DE) · Galerie Dorothea van der Koelen (Art Karlsruhe): Chaoslife Karlsruhe (DE) · Fischerplatz Galerie (Art Karlsruhe): My Home My House My Stilthouse Brussel (BE) · Galerie Ronny van de Velde (Brafa Art Fair): There’s no chaos, only structure Ulm / Neu-Ulm (DE) · BEGE Galerien: Exhibition
Venice (IT) · Galerie Dorothea van der Koelen: Chaos Life Göteborg (SE) · Wetterling Gallery: There is no Chaos Peking (CN) · Xin Dong Cheng Space for Contemporary Art: Exhibition Seoul (KR) · 313 Art Project: Exhibition 2011
Humblebæk (DK) · Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: My Safe Gardens Miami (FL, US) · Guy Pieters Gallery / Wolfgang Roth & Partners Fine Art (Art Basel Miami): My Safe Secret Garden Saint-Paul de Vence (FR) · Guy Pieters Gallery: Summershow with Jan Fabre, Wim Delvoye, Denmark and Arne Quinze Hamburg (DE) · Zæk Galerie (Hamburg Art Week): My Home My House My Stilthouse My Safe Garden Ixelles (BE) · Musée d’Ixelles: History of Graffiti in Brussels Venice (IT) · Galerie Dorothea van der Koelen (Arte in Movimento): Chaos Paris (FR) · Guy Pieters Gallery (Art Paris): Works Köln (DE) · Galerie Thomas Modern (Art Cologne): Works Los Angeles (CA, US) · Howard Rosenbaum Contemporary / Galerie Thomas Modern (L.A. Art Fair): Works New York (NY, US) · Galerie Thomas Modern (Armory Show): Works
2010
München (DE) · Galerie Thomas Modern: My Home My House My Stilthouse Knokke-Heist (BE) · Guy Pierers Gallery: My Home My House My Stilthouse Rouen (FR) · L’Abbatiale Saint-Ouen (Rouen Impressionnée): Les Jardins Miami (FL, US) · Galerie Thomas Modern (Art Basel Miami): My Home My House My Stilthouse Paris (FR) · (Show Off Art Fair): Chaos and Stilthouses Rouen (FR) · Musée des Beaux Arts: Camille Brussel (BE) · Guy Pieters Gallery (Art Brussels): Sculptures and My Home My House My Stilthouse Moscow (RU) · Aidan Gallery / Capital Group Art Foundation: Paintings and Sculptures Amsterdam (NL) · Tropenmuseum: Red New York (NY, US) · Guggenheim Museum: Contemplating the Void
2009
London (GB) · Saatchi Gallery: Sculptures Vienna (AT) · Swarovski: Japanese Stilthouse London (GB) · Phillips de Pury: Sculptures Paris (FR) · AA Magazine: Stilthouse Mansize St. Moritz (CH) · St. Moritz Art Masters: Stilthouses Louisville (KY, US) · 21C Museum Hotel: Stilthouse Brussel (BE) · Guy Pieters Gallery (Art Brussels): Stilthouse Paris (FR) · L’Eclaireur (Espace 7): Sculptures
2008
London (GB) · Phillips de Pury: Stilthouses & Bidonvilles Brussel (BE) · Pierre Bergé & Associés: Stilthouse Mansize Miami (FL, US) · Wolfgang Roth & Partners Fine Art (Art Basel Miami Beach): Sculptures London (GB) · Pierre Bergé & Associés (Frieze Art Fair): Bidonville Towers Brussel (BE) · Pierre Bergé & Associés: Stilthouses & Bidonvilles Kortrijk (BE), Miami (FL, US), Dubai (AE) · Die Gestalten GmbH & Co. KG: Fragiles
2007
Kortrijk (BE) · Gallery 113: Mutagenesis Verona (IT) · Abitare Il Tempo: Mutagenesis
1999
Ostende (BE) · Fiberglass and video installation
1997
Brussel (BE, 1997) / Amsterdam (NL, 1998) · Barclay: Installation with plastic and rubber (with Takashi Murakami)
1996
Mechelen (BE) · Fiberglass and rubber installation (with Herman Brood)
1995
Dinant (BE) · Fiberglass sculptures Antwerpen (BE) · Fish & Chips: Fiberglass and light installation
1994
Oudenaarde (BE) · The Garage: Fiberglass sculptures
1992
Molenbeek (BE) · Graffiti exhibition
1991
Antwerpen (BE) · Graffiti exhibition
1989 Amsterdam (NL) · Graffiti exhibition
INSTALLATIONS 2020 (upcoming) São Paulo (BR) · Tupi Stilthouse, Avenida Paulista 2019 (upcoming) Mexico City, (MX) · Natural Chaos Zocalo, Plaza de la Constitution 2018 Brussels (BE) · My Secret Rose Garden You Only Live Once. Belfius Art Collection 2017 Washington D.C. (DC, US) · Sequoia D.C. : Scarlet Arsac (FR) · Château d’Arsac: Natural Chaos Stilthouse (DE) · Private: Natural Chaos Shall We Dance Liege (BE) · Private: Natural Chaos 2016 Forchheim (DE) · Talking To The Sky Liege (BE) · Le Bocholtz: Natural Chaos Antwerp (BE) · University of Antwerp: Rock Strangers Tilburg (NL) · Lustwarande: Metal Red Stilthouse Gent (BE) · Natural Chaos (private) 2015 Mons (BE) · Mons 2015: The Passenger San Antonio (TX, US) · San Antonio Historical Natural Park: Whispers Enschede (NL) · Whispers Shanghai (CN) · (Art021): Natural Chaos Satellite 2014 Dongguan (CH) · Humen City: Natural Chaos metal installation São Paulo (BR) · (Feito por Brasileiros): Matarazzo Boom (BE) · People of Tomorrow: One World 2013 Shanghai (CN) · Kerry Group: Chaos Wind Le Mans (FR) · Wooden installation (privat) Nice (FR) · Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain: Chaos in Motion Nice (FR) · Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain: Tribute to Alexander Calder
Nice (FR) · Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain: Chaos in Motion 2012 Ostende (BE) · Beaufort 04: Rock Strangers Marbella (ES) · Pulse (privat) Korsika (FR) · Stilthouse (privat) Rio de Janeiro (BR) · Structured Chaos Brisbane (AU) · Queensland Theatre Company: Wooden installation Ciney (BE) · Wooden installation 2011 Vez (FR) · Art Curial: Stilthouse & Rock Strangers (privat) Paris (FR) · Art Curial: Inner Lines Paris (FR) · Art Curial: Eden Park Memory (privat) Zürich (CH) · Gallery Gmurzynska / Art in the Park: Rock Strangers New York (Freiheitsstatue) (NY, US) · Becks Art Fund: Rock Strangers (virtual Installation) Bordeaux (FR) · VinExpo: Rock Strangers Raeren (LU) · Rock Strangers (privat) Humblebæk (DK) · Louisiana Museum of Modern Art: My Home My House My Stilthouse 2010 Shanghai (CN) · Jing’An Sculpture Park: Red Beacon Rouen (FR) · Rouen Impressionnée: Camille Knokke-Heist (BE) · Ghelamco: Dune (privat) Rumst (BE) · De Pastorale: My Home (privat) 2009 Paris (FR) · L’Eclaireur: Sévigné 44 (Videoinstallation & Skulptur) Beirut (LB) · Solidere: The Visitor 2008 Brussel (BE) · Arsenal: Stilthouse Arsenal (privat) Gent (BE) · O’Cool: Unlimited (privat) Köln (DE) · die kunstbar: Eye C.U. (Videoinstallation) München (DE) · Louis Vuitton: The Traveller Brussel (BE) · The Flemish Parliament: The Sequence Paris (FR) · Le Royal Monceau: Rebirth (privat) 2007 Brussel (BE) · Mini Cooper (Toison d’Or): Cityscape Milano (IT) · Swarovski: Dreamsaver Kortrijk (BE) · Gallery 113: Stilthouse Black 980 (privat) 2006 Miami (FL, US): Timegate Black Rock City (NV, US) · Burning Man Festival: Uchronia 2005 New York / Chicago (NY / IL, US) · 460 Degrees Gallery: Wooden Installation 2004 Köln (DE) · Postgebäude: Installation
Installation at THE BELFIUS ART COLLECTION, Brussels, Belgium
My Secret Rose Garden We Only Live Once 180315 2018 mixed media : acrylic paint on aluminium panel, stones and branches 250 x 750 x 180 cm
BELFIUS ART COLLECTION, Brussels, Belgium
(upcoming) Tupi Stilthouse. São Paulo, Brazil. 2020
(upcoming) Natural Chaos Zocalo. Plaza de la Constitution, Mexico City, Mexico. 2019
Natural Chaos Scarlet. Washington D.C.,US. 2017
Natural Chaos Bizar Spaces. Marta Herford Museum. Herford, Germany. 2016
Natural Chaos. Private installation. Belgium. 2015
Rock Strangers Public Installation. Ostend, Belgium. 2012
Wooden Public Installation Camille. Rouen ImpressionnĂŠe. Rouen, France. 2010
Wooden Installation. Uchronia. Black Rock City. Nevada, US. 2006
ARNE QUINZE My Secret Garden MARCH 2018 Exhibition & Catalogue
MARUANI MERCIER GALLERY BRUSSELS - KNOKKE
CATALOGUE © 2018 MARUANI MERCIER GALLERY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Designed by
Sandrine Lalonde
Photography by Dave Bruel
Printed by
Graphius, Belgium
Special thanks to
Joost Declercq, Museum Director, DHONDT-DHAENENS MUSEUM, BELGIUM
MARUANI MERCIER Avenue Louise 430 1050 Brussels BELGIUM www.maruanimercier.com
ISBN 978-2-930487-27-4
MARUANI MERCIER GALLERY