On 2 February 2025, Galerie van Blijkshof in Deventer has reopened its doors. The gallery presents exclusive fine art photography and sculptures by (inter)nationally known artists.
Until 27 April, the first duo exhibition WHITE shows a selection of thirteen black and white portraits of Dutch fine art photographer Marie-Jeanne van Hövell tot Westerflier and five white alabaster sculptures of visual artist Lynne Leegte. The colour white, tranquillity, melancholy and timelessness play a prominent role. The stylish gallery is located in a monumental mansion from the 17th century.
Since 2011, Marie-Jeanne van Hövell tot Westerflier has been working on a series of portraits in which a white blouse from around 1912 takes centre stage. Fascinated by the transparent beauty, fragility and family history of the batiste blouse, the photographer came up with the idea of inviting women and girls, and later also men to have themselves portrayed in the blouse. Using natural light, Marie-Jeanne is constantly looking to capture the apparently invisible. Her photos exude an atmosphere of tranquillity, modesty and natural purity, and they evoke nostalgic memories.
Memories are intangible, difficult to transfer and intensely personal. Precious objects such as a dancing shoe, a timeworn fan, a glove and a collar of Irish lace are transformed into tangible memories by Lynne Leegte, converting the transience of the objects into lasting memories. In addition to these sculptures, Lynne has shaped the delicate white blouse from the photo series in light-sensitive alabaster, full-size, especially for this exhibition. Fine precision and craftsmanship are essential to her works, which together or individually tell a poetic and tranquil story.
Duo exhibition ‘WHITE’
Galerie van Blijkshof, Deventer
2 February – 27 April, 2025
galerievanblijkshof.nl
