Manon De Bruyn – Het hek is van den dam (the floodgates are open)

In the solo exhibition ‘het hek is van den dam’ (the floodgates are open), Manon De Bruyn showcases her oeuvre, which includes etchings, drawings, and tattoos. Her style incorporates elements of fun, playfulness, boredom, and happiness. According to De Bruyn, we live in a world where performance pressure, conflicts, and insecurities are pervasive. Through her depiction of fun, she defies these pressures in a positive and uplifting way. Her etchings reflect this in a chaotic, stylized manner, forming a tableau. In contrast, her drawings offer central, page-filling, and direct images. For De Bruyn, the tattoos represent an extension of her positive rebellion. The intuitive linework from her paper works is permanently transferred onto the skin. These tattoos serve as an archive and conversion of her etchings into photographic images, captured by Bram De Laet.

Manon De Bruyn won the Jury Prize of the Onboards Biennale in 2023. Onboards Biennale is an exhibition of art displayed on the street billboards. The exhibition presents artworks from national and international established and upcoming artists and works from art students. Onboards Biennale 2023 – In Touch is an exhibition featuring 100 contemporary artworks displayed on billboards throughout the streets of Antwerp, accompanied by audio descriptions of artworks and an additional exhibit on over 100 digital boards. The title highlights the importance of connecting in contemporary art and design, which involves staying up-to-date with trends and movements, using platforms to show work and engage with others, and being open to new ideas and perspectives. The biennale aims to bring people closer to art and foster a deeper appreciation for it by featuring dual positions of artwork throughout the city.