Once again we were convinced that the concept of ‘triennale’ is the most successful. It gives the viewers a chance to ‘bore’ themselves with the works of talented artists who, as in any profession, do not produce masterpieces every year. The Triennale de la Sculpture in one of Antwerp’s oldest galleries Campo&Campo (family business, francophone family) in 2025 was particularly successful.
The Triennale pays tribute to the classics of Belgian sculpture – guests are greeted by ‘Dancer’ by the most famous Belgian Oscar Jaspers, in the middle of the hall George Grard’s ‘La Mer’ (his feminine sculptures in the style of Aristide Maillol can be seen in the Middelheim Museum and KMSKA) sleeps lightly as a sea nymph, and in the inner courtyard Jan Fabre raises his arms with a cross.
We came at the invitation of our favourite sculptor and restorer David Khamaladze – the jury chose his beautiful ‘animalistic series’, placing a large white heart ‘The Lover’ in the centre, as if embracing all the viewers.
Like many vernissage visitors of all ages, we fell for serial artist Frank Maieu (Wilrijk, 1952). Serial, because Frank likes to create series on specific themes. His works are often socially critical, opposing capitalism, the extreme right and all forms of abuse of power, as well as criticising the cultural establishment (!). They are imbued with self-irony and sarcasm, not without sexual overtones. Like his series presented at the Triennale, which I would call ‘artist. ‘St Vincent’ with an allusion to Van Gogh and the character carrying his cross with a tube of paint to the Calvary of art, surrounded by “Loser” (the kind still at the sperm stage with future broken glasses) gain context precisely in the series, together. The inner collector in us suggested that it is impossible to separate his works: you have to buy the whole series. My fellow countryman (I also live in Wilrijk) evolved from realism with a clear influence of Surrealism and Dadaism to a more expressionist style associated with the ‘de Nieuwe wilden’ (New Wilden) movement.
The sculpture triennale can be seen until 28 March at the Campo&Campo Gallery from 10.00 to 18.00, except Sundays.
Триеннале скульптуры можно увидеть до 28 марта в галерее Campo&Campo с 10.00 до 18.00, кроме воскресенья.