Mileen Malbrain

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Mileen Malbrain (° Leuven, 1958) was already introduced to piano and visual arts during her youth in Dendermonde. After graduating as a bioengineer, she conducted scientific research at KU Leuven for a number of years and taught science to young people until 2018.

Her scientific background has led to a great deal of attention for research. Observing and recording many developmental phases during the creative process are of inestimable value to her. These are her triggers for a lasting creative flow.

Her first works of art were minimalist. The focus was on rhythms, structures, reliefs, evolutions, multiplications, light and shadow. She explored many materials such as baked and raw clay, wood, metal, magnets, mirrors, glass and plexiglass ...

With her kinetic works, new elements such as sound and movement and retaining of attention are added. Themes such as chaos, transparency, group behaviour towards individual behaviour, construction, deconstruction and manipulation are also discussed.

Her greatest revelation arose with her recent textile works. Suddenly the support material is superfluous, something that has occupied her for a long time. “I need the support material to build up my relievo, but the support is also in the image and helps determine the image. How can I turn off his presence? And voilà, the many fabrics that I currently make in different materials are created without a carrier and give me many presentation options.

The gallery remains accessible on Fridays and Saturdays between 14 and 18 h. Make an appointment at the door, by phone, by mail or book your visit here!

Photo credits: Gillis Sacré @stillthetime

Exhibitions

  • Kunstroute Leuven, May 2021

  • Atelier in beeld, April 2021

  • “Rhythms”, Le Neuf Gallery Brussels, 2021

  • BEELDcollectief “Paradise?”, Tweebronnen, Leuven, 2021

  • Online exhibition Textielplus contest, 2020

  • Natura Inspiratus, Meise Botanic Garden, 2020

  • Online exhibition Textielplus, Textiel in tijden van corona, 2020

  • Group exhibition 3M, Antwerpen, 2019

  • Laureate exhibition, SLAC Leuven, 2016

  • Open Atelier Leuven, 2015

  • Kunstroute Leuven, 2013

  • Belfius Art, 2012

  • CC de  Borre, Bierbeek, 2012

  • Kunstroute Leuven, 2011

  • Group exhibition, Oude veeartsenijschool, Ghent, 2010

  • “Vijf jaar BEK”, BEK-huis, Lovenjoel, 2008

  • “Van Bierbeek tot Zoetermeer” BEK-huis, Lovenjoel, 2007

  • “België-Nederland” BaZtille Ateliers, Zoetermeer, 2007

  • “In de schaduw van het licht”,BEK-huis, Lovenjoel, 2006

  • “Kerst in hulst” Bierbeek, 2004

  • “Kunst in Overijse” CC Den Blank, 2004 

Projects

  • “Zwarte zwanen”: art in the shop window, Maastricht, 2011

  • “Virus”, art installation with students of SMLeuven, Leuven, 2011

Publications

Contests

  • Canvas-preselection 2010 MHKA

  • Price Fedos Limburg Natura Inspiratus, 2020

Training and Education

  • Textile art, SLAC, 2018-2020

  • Cross-curricular workshop, SLAC, 2010-2016

  • Bronze casting, Herent, 2010

  • E-atelier, Ghent - Leuven, 2009-2010

  • Plaster molds, Dworp, 2007

  • Glass processing, Leuven, 2005

  • Stone cutting, Middelheimmuseum, Antwerp, 2004

  • Installations, Middelheimmuseum Antwerp, 2004

  • Painting with Liesbeth Verschueren, France, 2003

  • Metal sculpture, with Stijn Van Aerschot, Leuven, 2003

  • Woodworking, Vrij Technisch Instituut Leuven, 2002

  • Ceramics, Academie Beeldende Kunsten Overijse, 2002-2005

  • Metal sculpture, Academie Beeldende Kunsten Anderlecht, 2001-2002

  • Drawing, Academie Beeldende Kunsten Overijse, 1997-2001