RAW KRU

GROUP SHOW

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​In these troubled times, poetry is vital. For more than a century, the mischievous poetry of surrealism has distilled and expressed our subconscious thoughts and fears. The free flow of ideas is part of our cultural and artistic heritage, particularly in Belgium, and surrealism continues to inspire artists around the world.
"Beautiful as a fortuit meeting of a sewing machine and an umbrella on a dissection table". This enigmatic and obscure phrase, taken from the text "Les Chants de Maldoror" by the Count of Lautréamont (aka Isidore Lucien Ducasse) in the 19th century, greatly inspired the surrealist movement from the 1920s onwards. This phrase, which means everything and nothing at the same time, is also the backbone of this “eight-eyed” exhibition.
To mark the movement's centenary, this group exhibition brings together fifteen Belgian and international artists, invited by curator Rohan Graëffly, to show that surrealism is still with us, perhaps even more alive than ever. The selection of works is as eclectic, both in terms of the vivid and often raw subjects, and the techniques used, including painting, sculpture, photography, printing... However, a real unity of spirit emerges, as in a closely-knit and thriving team.
This RAW CREW features a host of Belgian artists, including Charlotte Beaudry, Pascal Bernier, Claude Cattelain, Francois de Coninck, Denmark, Messieurs Delmotte, Katherine Longly, Christine Mawet and Klaus Verscheure. France is represented by Emilie Breux, Remi Tamain, Nicolas Tourte and Géraldine Wilcke. Last but not least, the Canadian artist Clara Cousineau adds her overseas touch, always in the same spirit.
Rohan Graëffly's work, also shown here, has been described as undisciplined and unpredictable. Juggling painting, photography, sculpture, video and installation, he experiments with, constructs and deconstructs what surrounds and nourishes him. His work, often presented in series, emerges from associations of ideas, objects, texts and images. Because he imposes no limits on himself, he is part of the heritage of artists who use irony, criticism and the absurd. Using everyday objects, current events, rituals, fears, weariness and traces, the artist builds a body of work that oscillates between pessimism, lucidity and derision.
Rohan was born in Luxembourg in 1975 and lives and works in Arlon. He obtained a Master's degree in photography and para-photographic research from the E.N.S.A.V. La Cambre, Brussels in 2001. Since then, he has taken part in numerous exhibitions and art fairs, notably in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. In 2023, he curated the official contemporary art trail for the 57e Fêtes de la Saint-Martin in Tourinnes-la-Grosse (Walloon Brabant). Having already curated the highly acclaimed exhibition "Low Future" in early 2024, he is back in the limelight with his RAW CREW.
A performance will take place on the opening day of the show. Contemporary dancers Eva Honing and Marcia Liu will perform their interpretation of the works on display, with music by Erik Satie from his 1924 ballet Relâches: Entr’acte Cinématographique, itself closely associated with surrealism.

Text: Rohan Graëffly/Robert Klotz