- Art & Design
This summer, the historic Castle of Male, near Bruges, will be the setting for an extraordinary solo exhibition by Spanish-Guinean artist Chidy Wayne. Organised by the Brussels-based Grège Gallery, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience how contemporary art interacts with a rich historical past.
Male Castle, a place steeped in history dating back to the 9th century, provides a majestic backdrop for Chidy Wayne's new series of drawings and sculptures. In the knights' hall and the chapel, where natural light subtly plays on the rough walls of plaster and stone, Wayne's works come to life. These spaces, imbued with historical grandeur and mysticism, provide the perfect backdrop for the Barcelona-based artist's introspective and expressive art. Chidy Wayne is known for his personal, austere and figurative style. His drawings, which bear a primitive and minimalist character, are inspired by both ancestral traditions and the artistic avant-garde. With bold and quick strokes, he manages to capture universal themes and explores profound aspects of self-awareness and inner conflicts. This exhibition marks Wayne's third solo show in Belgium and presents, in addition to his drawings, a series of new sculptures, showing a new direction in his artistic practice. In the castle's chapel, Wayne explores the concept of faith and the transformation of religious symbolism. His works invite visitors to reflect on their own spirituality, with the sacred architecture and artworks engaging in an intriguing dialogue between tradition and modernity. The Knights' Hall, on the other hand, accommodates another recurring theme in Wayne's oeuvre: wrestlers and combativeness. These powerful images resonate with the historical stories of battle and triumph that surround the castle. 
With bold and quick strokes, he manages to capture universal themes and explores profound aspects
Grège Gallery, founded in 2021 by Belgian interior designer Marie de Brouwer, is known for its minimalist and sincere approach to art presentation. The gallery has built a reputation for choosing remarkable and unusual venues that enhance the impact of its artworks. Previous exhibitions have taken place in Westmalle Castle, the greenhouses of Terhulpen Castle and a brutalist house in Schilde. De Brouwer aims to challenge and inspire artists to create work for unique settings, while offering collectors and art lovers the chance to discover art in unusual places.
A former favourite residence of the Counts of Flanders, Male Castle has a rich and sometimes tumultuous history. From glorious periods to moments of crisis, the castle reflects the history of Flanders itself. This historical context provides a rich backdrop for Wayne's works, which explore both the strength and fragility of human existence. Chidy Wayne's exhibition at Male Castle is on view from 27 July to 18 August 2024. Visitors are welcome Friday to Sunday from 2pm to 6pm, and by appointment. This unique fusion of art and history is not to be missed.
Grafelijk Slot van Male, Sint-Kruis, Bruges. Be enchanted by the dialogue between past and present, between stone and brush, in this inspiring exhibition by Chidy Wayne.
Photography by Tijs Vervecken
Text by Celien Hemelaer