Maybe your grandma still shuffles down the hall in them: classic slippers from Sofacq, or Société de Fabrication de Chaussures de Qualité. That Ghent shoe company moved in 1929 to a factory building on the Hundelgemsesteenweg in Merelbeke, near the Ringvaart. In its heyday, more than 100 people worked there. Since 2017, beer has been brewed in the same building by De Wilde Brouwers.
Less known to the general public is what happens on the first floor. There, Peter Rodrigues, owner of the entire site, has housed the largest works from his impressive art collection: a jungle scene and an American ‘dinner’ by Rinus Van de Velde, the enormous seagull by Guillaume Bijl, a strolling Delphine Boel by Matthieu Ronsse and a beach scene by Guy Slabbinck. Just to name a few.
Ensors
The farce at the Ensors, the gender-neutral Flemish film and television awards that did not award any actress a statue this year, made Rodrigues think about his own collection: are there enough female artists in it? “Yes. Gender has never been decisive. As long as the work is good and triggers something in me. Almost 20 years ago I bought a stand with red benches from Kelly Schacht. The painting ‘Walking’ by Karin Hanssen is also one of my masterpieces.” (read more under photos)
‘Sorry (De Meeuw)’ by Guillaume Bijl — © SLN
An American Diner, made by Rinus Van de Velde — © SLN
Rodrigues was first a lawyer, then a manager and then an entrepreneur. He founded organic bakery De Trog and produces tapenades, grilled vegetables and pestos under the Delisol brand. Although he has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for years, thinking about his collection is not enough. With the help of his wife and architect Sabine Vandorpe and loyal assistant Phaedra C emmery, he is also actively protesting against the Ensors until the end of May: 13 female artists are allowed to show and sell their work in the Sofacq Gallery in Merelbeke.
Comic strip
It is difficult not to be touched by the anonymous scenes that Karin Hanssen paints. The photos that Liza François took with her father’s death in mind have the same effect. Ilse Monkerhey shows colorful scenes from her surroundings and what Louise Delanghe does is impressively bring together past and present. The ‘Treize de Flandres’, as Rodrigues calls them, are all great artists. (read more below photo)
Two colorful paintings by Ilse Monkerhey, with on the left ‘Installation with sea shells, miniature boats and mirrored cabinet’ by Silke Catteeuw – De Smul — © SLN
In addition to being an avid art collector, Rodrigues is also passionate about sailing. The wooden optimist in the gallery speaks beautifully to the work of the young artist Silke Catteeuw. Rodrigues calls her ‘comic story’ about love, sadness, the sea and a man who is ultimately left alone with his shells one of the highlights of the exhibition.
Place m’as-tu vu
The Sofacq Gallery is also worth a visit for those who cannot distinguish an abstract from a figurative work. With ‘Treize de Flandres’, Rodrigues has created an eclectic environment in a very accessible way that covers the full spectrum of emotions. “We take visitors into our experience, without showing super expensive works. We are here on the Hundelgemsesteenweg in Merelbeke. That’s not a place m’as-tu vu here.”
Treize de Flandres, Sofacq Gallery, Hundelgemsesteenweg 310, Merelbeke, www.sofacqgallery.com, until Sunday May 26
Work by Louise Delanghe — © SLN
‘The Smoker’ by Nel Aerts (left) — © SLN
© SLN
© SLN
Tags: Slipper Hero protests wellknown cultural prize Gender doesnt matter long work good Ghent
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