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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Per Kirkeby, Brick Sculptures

Sept 14, 2019 – Sept 19, 2021
Stokerijstraat 19, 2110 Wijnegem, Belgium

“Structure mirrors your degree of responsibility toward the work,” said the late Danish artist Per Kirkeby. “You can’t just let it float around in pretty colors.” And he didn’t. When Kirkeby turned to sculpture, his material of choice was humble brick. Why? Brick reminded him of his childhood in Denmark—Grundtvig Church, railway stations, summer holidays. This exhibition of Kirkeby’s brick sculptures, the first in Europe since his death last year, allows viewers to wander through the playful passages, the mysterious chambers, of Kirkeby’s heart. Four of the sculptures (Læsø, IX, X, XII, XV) haven’t been viewed since their completion in 1989. —E.C.

Per Kirkeby, “Nordhorn,” 2019 © Axel Vervoordt Gallery.