Updated on April 13, 2023

Meeting with the "Painter of Joy

By Shana Devleschoudere
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The emblematic Abbaye de la Cambre will soon be hosting a retrospective exhibition by the artist Malel. Entitled La Rencontre, the exhibition will showcase some 70 paintings, tapestries, gouaches and drawings by the "Painter of Joy", in the church, cloister and adjacent chapel.

With this first program, made possible thanks to generous donors and sponsors, the brand-new "Pôle exposition" of the Grandes Heures de la Cambre, created in 2022 to contribute to the influence of the Abbaye de la Cambre, aims to provide answers to the thirst for meaning that pervades the world today. In parallel with the exhibition, a work of art will be created by the artist and donated to the Cliniques universitaires Saint- Luc (UCLouvain).

A first

This first exhibition goes far beyond a simple display of works of art, and launches a program of animations and participative activations. With this first exhibition, the parish of Notre-Dame de la Cambre resolutely opts for a dialogue with today's world. Spirituality responds fundamentally to the need to find meaning and reason in life's events; it is "anthropological".

Objective: reach a wider audience

The ASBL Les Grandes Heures de la Cambre, well known for its program of spiritual music, has decided to extend its activities to include a new section for culture and exhibitions. Although the initiative comes from the parish and the archdiocese of Malines-Brussels, it's a small, motivated team of 4 dynamic young women who will also be creating exhibitions in these places of worship, which are also highly charged with history and culture. The aim is not only to invigorate the spiritual life of parishioners, but also, in the long term, to reach a much wider public (visitors, walkers...) in search of a moment of silence, recollection and rejuvenation on this site.

More than an exhibition

During the three months of the exhibition, the Abbaye de la Cambre will also host a variety of talents: testimonies from young people, couples, disabled people, artists and priests will tell of their encounters with God; conferences on the themes of faith, health, psychology and sylvotherapy will offer avenues of hope.

And last but not least, tailor-made guided tours and forest baths can be organized for groups on request.

A complete and authentic artist

Malel is a complete artist, whose authentic art in no way requires us to situate him in any specific current trend. On the contrary, in the eyes of many, he is a timeless artist. His great artistic mastery, his connection with nature and his ability to translate his Christian convictions into "cosmic" painting are highlighted by the specific choices made for this exhibition, revealing his diverse talents.

About the works on display

The 64m2 canvas La Rencontre, installed in the choir of the church and already a landmark work, captures our attention right from the start of the visit, and immediately reveals what drives the artist. At the center of this unique canvas, painted in 2000, the inviting face of a young man in his thirties seems to say: "I've always waited for you. With me, you'll find listening and comfort". With this art exhibition, the Church of La Cambre displays a courageous willingness to show both God and the paths of light in our world. Malel's subsequent works in the Abbey's cloister and adjacent chapel open our eyes in this direction. The artist knows nothing of life, and translates it for us through his joys and happiness. He reveals the beauty and goodness of the world wherever he finds it: springs, waters, rivers, parks, gardens and vast natural expanses - and draws inspiration from human relationships to paint. Yet he is not indifferent to the wounds and scars of this world, and his gaze is imbued above all with the Christian hope he has made his own. Through his work, he reveals his personal spiritual quest and his encounters with Christ. He is nourished by his daily friendship with Him. On this subject, Malel expresses himself clearly: "The great questions I have, find their answer in this tandem with Christ".

L'Arbre de Vie: a social project

Finally, as a social project will be associated with each annual exhibition, this year the exhibition department hopes that a "Tree for Life" can be created by Malel and installed via a generous crowdfunding* campaign at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (UCLouvain). Made of painted glass, 4 meters high, the tree, like a powerfully colored and symbolic 3D stained glass window, would find its place after the exhibition in the gardens of the new Integrated Institute of Psychiatry to be inaugurated near the hospital in autumn 2023.

*See via this link.


Practical information:

Exhibition from April 14 to July 23, 2023
Open every day
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-18:00 and Sun 12:00-18:00, including public holidays
During services, the exhibition is only accessible in the cloister.We are looking for volunteers to be on duty during part of the exhibition's opening hours, to answer questions from parishioners and tourists, and to sell the exhibition catalog. Opening hours are from 12.30 to 2.30 pm and from 2.30 to 5 pm daily. To register, please send an email to poleexpogh@gmail.com with your contact details, or call Hortense on 0477531050. We'll get back to you to reserve the time slot(s) that suit(s) you best.

Accessibility :

Address: Eglise Notre-Dame de la Cambre, Abbaye de la Cambre - 1000 Brussels