A Serene Dialogue of Matter
is a minimalist exhibition featuring works by Benoît Viaene and Katrien Doms. In this quiet yet powerful exchange, the works of architect-designer Benoît Viaene and artist Katrien Doms converge in an encounter where material, gesture, and time resonate in poetic harmony, presenting two distinct yet deeply connected philosophies of making that speak in hushed tones about patience, presence, imperfection, and beauty found in restraint.
Architect and designer Benoît Viaene approaches form through a deep reverence for natural materials. His practice, rooted in a quest for authenticity, draws on architecture’s structural discipline while embracing the sensual irregularity of nature. Each object he creates – whether furniture or spatial installation – carries a quiet strength shaped by refined craftsmanship and a desire to move beyond artificial perfection. In his hands, organic forms and subtle textures become vehicles of introspection and calm, revealing the patina of time and touch.
In contrast, yet in perfect complement, Katrien Doms brings the elemental force of fire into her process. Sculpting wood outdoors, exposed to the unpredictable forces of nature, she transforms raw matter through heat, pressure, and intuition. Working without electricity, Katrien relies on extreme heat and seasonal conditions to carve, burn, and hollow out her pieces. What emerges is far from destructive: instead, the works are imbued with surprising softness, their charred surfaces shaped into gentle slopes and quiet curves. They carry the story of their making – a dialogue between artist, material, and the elements.
Together, Viaene and Doms offer more than objects; they present two distinct yet deeply connected philosophies of making. Their works speak about patience, presence, imperfection, and beauty found in restraint. In this shared space, wood, stone, fire, and form meet with clarity and respect. The result is a serene conversation of matter, craft, and purity between makers, demonstrating how contemporary craft practices can establish dialogue through complementary rather than identical approaches where architectural precision and elemental spontaneity create productive tension.
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