Griet Dobbels is a visual artist. She began her professional career in 1996 after graduating from The Royal College of Art in London.
Key concepts in her work are: the dialectic between grandeur and insignificance, transience and timelessness, nature and culture, beauty and horror, safety and danger, chaos and control, universality and individuality. Formally, these subjects translate into various media: drawings, video installations, sculptures and happenings. Dobbels explores boundaries, both in terms of content and form, and strives for an objective position.
The line is a constant in her work, be it the contour line, the coast line, the front line or a border. This line is exposed, excavated, walked, drawn or cut-and-pasted.
Griet Dobbels has exhibited nationally and internationally and has undertaken a number of significant residences, including at the Al Ma’mal Foundation, Old city Jerusalem and Birzeit University (2022-2023), the Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto in 2017-18. Her work can be seen in the contexts of museums, arts centres, arts festivals, public spaces or as part of diverse private initiatives. Since 2014, Els Vermeersch (Art historian and curator) is her Compagnon d’art.
In spring 2023 she was able to finalize the residency at Al Ma’mal Foundation (Old City Jerusalem) and Bethlehem (PS) for the implementation of the art video The Cow and the Goat (in collaboration with poet Lotte Dodion) that has been on view at Watou Art Festival 2023, Emergent Gallery Veurne and KVS Brussels.
She is currently conducting research for the ongoing project Trillingen / Vibrations in collaboration with artist Cesar Janssens (Jr.c.E.sA.r, KVS Brussels). As part of this research the performance Vissers van de Horizon(Fishers of the Horizon), has been shown at the theatre festival TAZ#2023, Ostend (B). At present her work can be seen at the solo show ON A ZERO EN HISTOIRE at Gallery Sofie Van den Bussche (Brussels, B). The installation Clay Front is on view as part of the group show ‘Remain / Remember’ at Westfront, Newport (B). More upcoming shows see underneath.
Text Els Vermeersch, Compagnon d’Art
Education:
1994-1996: Master Degree in Arts: Royal College of Art, London, UK; AIR Kyoto City University of Arts, Japan
1991-1994: Master in visual arts: Luca school of arts Ghent, B
Most recent Artist residences:
2023: TAZ , Theater Festival Ostend Vissers van de Horizon (Fishers of the Horizon)
2023: Al Ma’Mal Foundation , Old City Jerusalem
2022: Al Ma’Mal Foundation , Old City Jerusalem – Patchwork Watou Art Festival 2022-2023
2021: Birzeit University, Birzeit, Ramallah (online)
2017: June/July and September: Cittadellarte -Fondazione Pistoletto and UNIDEE, Biella, IT
2015: January: ‘Met zicht op zee’, Braye-Dunes, FR i.c.w Emergent, B
Artist’s books
2022 Under the Tower / Onder de Kerktoren , with Topo Copy (Ghent) and Sophia Attigui (Cassablanca)
2018 The Map is not the Territory (Montedellarte),Publishing Viaindustriae, Foligno, IT
2015 Straight line attempt icw Posture Editions nr 16
2013 Mind the gap icw Dolores Bouckaert, edition for Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens in 2013, B
Most recent Grants
2022 Research grant (Flemish government) for Trillingen (Vibrations) in collaboration with Cesar Janssens(Jr.c.E.sA.r, KVS)
2021 project Grant (Flemish government) for Under the Tower / Onder de Kerktoren
2019 Research grant (Flemish government) for Straight Line Attempt (Middle East)
2017 project Grant (Flemish government) for The Map is not the Territory (Montedellarte)
Exhibitions
2024
- ON A ZERO EN HISTOIRE; solo show at Gallery Sofie Van den Bussche, Brussels - 21.04 - 18.05.2024; Vernissage on Saturday 18.05.2024 - 3 to 6 pm : welcome!
- ART ON PAPER AMSTERDAM with Gallery Sofie Van den Bussche, Brussels
- ARCHITECTURE MEETS ART, Group show in two remarkable houses near Brussels of the Brants-Voets family : Dworp: architects Claire Bataille & Paul Ibens and Halle: 19the C industrial Renaux site: Friday 07.06.24 (opening at 7 pm) and Saturday 08.06.24 – Saturday 15.06.24 and Sunday 16.06.24, with Hélène Petite, Jacky Tavernier, Jo Voets en Olaf Winkler
- FUGA’S EN PIMPELMEZEN (FUGUES AND BLUE TITS) Group show at Museumhuis Lucien de Gheus, Poperinge (B) - Griet Dobbels i.c.w. Jolien Holvoet; from 08.06 to 29.09.2024 inclusive; with Caroline Andrin, Anne Ausloos, Patrick Bergsma, Guillaume Bijl, Nel Bonte, Ignace Cami, Caroline Coolen, Johan Creten, Trees De Mits, Gery De Smet, Franky Derycke, Martine Feipel & Jean Bechameil, Nick Ervinck, Marja Kennis, Anne Marie Laureys, Kellie Lippens, Yves Malfliet, Marieke Pauwels, Tinka Pittoors, Laure Prouvost, R&F F&R, Joke Raes, Clara Spilliaert, Johan Tahon, Sharon Van Overmeiren, Tamara Van San, Joana Vasconcelos, Robin Vermeersch, Bram Verstraeten, Anne Wenzel en Cindy Wright - Curator Els Vermeersch
-DE KOE EN DE GEIT (The Cow and the Goat), screening art video at KVS Royal Flemish Theater, Brussels
- REMAIN / REMEMBER, group show, Westfront, Nieuwpoort (B), curator Mieke Dobbels
- A PRO POT III, group show, MUDEL, Deinze (B) curator Trees Demits
- THE ANALYSIS OF AN APPEARANCE (THE LANDSCAPE), De analyse van ene verschijning (Het landschap) Emergent gallery, curator Frank Maes
2023
25.06 > 10.09: Groupshow 10 YEARS EMERGENT, Veurne, B
01.07 > 03.09 : Watou Art Festival 2023 with art video : The Cow and the Goat
4 August at 18:00 > 19:30 performance VISSERS VAN DE HORIZON, with Cesar Janssens at TAZ, Theater Festival Oostende, B
09.07 > 19.08: groupshow SUMMER VIBES, Gallery Sofie Van den Bussche, Brussels, B
02.09 > 07.10: Duo show with Evelien Gysen at Shoobil Gallery, Antwerp
27.10 > 21.01.2024 : groupshow A PRO POT III, MUDEL, Museum Deinze, B, curator Trees De Mits
29.10 > 07.01.2024 : HET ANALYTISCHE LANDSCHAP : groupshow Emergent, Veune, B, curator Frank Maes
The artist's book Under the Tower/ Onder de Kerktoren selected for the exhibition DESIGN-A-BOOK at Wittockiana, Brussel
Art on Paper, Amsterdam with Gallery Sofie Van Den Bussche, Brussels
2022
Launch artist’s book Under the Tower / Onder de Kerktoren: WARP Sint-Niklaas, 20 August, B
Launch artist’s book Under the Tower / Onder de Kerktoren: Dar Jacir Bethlehem, 1 October, PS
Nov 2022/Jan 2023, Group exhibition Emergent nodigt uit, Emergent, Veurne, B
Patchwork, AIR at Watou Art Festival, B
TEN Times TWO, group show, Gallery Sofie Van den Bussche, Brussels, 12/06> 10/07/2022
TRAAG (Slow), artistic intervention in the landscape on GR route Flemish Ardennes, part of GVR, launch Sunday 18/06/2022
Groupshow 15 years Verbeke Foundation, Kemzeke, Opening 12/06/2022
Groupshow 8 ZomerExpo's, 3J; Jean-Jacques De Gucht & Johan Van Tittelboom , Knokke-Heist, more info soon
Ongoing Trillingen collaboration with Cesar Janssens(Jr.c.E.sA.r, KVS)
2021
Group show: One way or Another , 10 years Posture Editions, S.M.A.K. Gent -
Trillingen (working title) collaboration with Cesar Janssens(Jr.c.E.sA.r, KVS) launch video 17 online (until 01/07/2021) platform KVSi.c.w.KVS and De Warande Turnhout
Group show: One way or Another , 10 years Posture Editions, S.M.A.K. Gent
Group show: Een boom is meer dan er staat, expo, lezingen, poëzie, muziek, De Egelantier, Otegem
تحت البرج / Onder de Kerktoren / Under the Tower : ongoing, artist’s book
Video 17, no.1 in a cycle of 17 Trillingen / Vibrations © Cesar Janssens & Griet Dobbels in colaboration with KVS, Brussels, de Warande (Turnhout), online until 01/07/2021
(07) تحت البرج / Onder de Kerktoren / Under the Tower : ثَرثَرة / Glossolalia, ALAA ABU ASAD & IGNACE CAMI : video on view untill 15/07/2021 here
(05) تحت البرج / Onder de Kerktoren / Under the Tower : Khalil Sakakini CC, Ramallah
April / June: online artist residency at Birzeit University supported by A.M. Qattan Foundation and through the VAFF project, funded by Sweden
Traag / Slow : artistic intervention in the landscape on GR route Flemish Ardennes, part of GVR Sint-Antelinks and Steenhuize
(04) Onder de kerktoren / Under the Church Tower: Arab Culture Association, Haifa with Alaa Abu Asad
2020
(1) Onder de Kerktoren / Under the Church Tower , Emergent, Veurne: ESSA GRAYEB - GRIET DOBBELS
The Jerusalem Show, Al Ma'mal Foundation, Jerusalem (postponed due to Covid)
Contrei Live, i.c.w. Intercommunale Leiedal, selected for artistic intervention in the landscape (B)
Shortlisted for Entwined (VARC, visual arts in rural communities, Northumberland, UK)
2019
Research project Straight Line Attempt in the Middle East Region
November > December: Clay Front, Kruitmagazijn, Ypres
20 October > 10 November, Vrouwen²Women, Ypres (B) Benefit exhibition for Mothers for Peace
The Map is not the Territory (Montedellarte), artist’s book-video-installation at the Italian Cultural Institute Brussels i.c.w. Paolo Naldini (Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto) and Belgian launch artist's book Publishing Viaindustriae (IT).
2018
October 2018: Selected for working visit : Amman, Ramallah, Jerusalem & Haifa i.c.w Flanders Art Institute.
The Map is not the Territory (Montedellarte), artist’s book-video-installation at Museo del Presente at Arte al Centro 2018, Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto, IT
Launch artist's book The Map is not the Territory (Montedellarte) Publishing Viaindustriae (IT), Cittadellarte-Fondazione Pistoletto (IT)
Mirroirs 2 /Tous est paysage- Biënnale Parc d'Enghien, Brussels
Clay Front i.c.w In Flanders Fields Museum (B) and Imperial War Museum Canberra, Australia and Villers-Bretonneux museum (FR)
Time can tell video festival: 3 shortfilms: The map is not the territory ( Montedellarte),with Katrien Vermeire, Der kreislauf and Meggy Rustamova, L'invitation au voyage2017
2017
Art happening Montedellarte, Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto (IT) i.c.w. C.A.I., Erasmus University College (B), supported by Flemish Community
Art happening in private house in the context of Wander Meander Sarah&Charles
AIR Cittadellarte Fondazione Pistoletto, IT
Hoger Lager, solo show, Emergent Galery, Veurne, B
Ik trap gewoon door, Social artistic project, Museum M Leuven, B
2016
Group show, Arture #5, Ressegem, B
Edition for 2016, Emergent Galery, Veurne, B
2015
Solo show: 30 Wind Socks revisited, CC Knokke Heist, B
Publication Straight line attempt icw Posture Editions nr 16
AIR Braye-Dunes, FR icw Emergent Galery, Veurne, B
Group show Take Position, Emergent Galery, Veurne, B
Group show Art traces at the Western Front, Flanders Fields, Langemark, B
Art Festival Watou, B
2014
AIR Be-Part Centre for Contemporary Art, Waregem, B
Solo show What a lovely mountain!, Galery Bruthaus, Waregem, B
Group show in the landscape Tussentijd, Moortsele, B
Group show The Daylight Show, Landgoed Zonnestraal, Hilversum, NL
Edition voor publication, K University Leuven, B
Group show Grenzeloos, Harelbeke, B
2013
Group show Badly Natured, Nest, Den Haag, NL
Publication en performance: Mind the gap icw Dolores Bouckaert, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Deurle, B
Group show Transformation, Transfo, Zwevegem, B
2012
The map is not the territory, Art happening Ressegem icw ARPIA 2012
Group show Cutting Edge Women, Verbeke Foundation, Stekene, B
2010 - 2013
AIR art@school, art project icw Jan De Cock, ministery of education and University of Ghent
2010
Group show MEER, Voorkamer, Lier, B
Group show Summer show, Verbeke Foundation, Stekene, B
Solo show: My gated communities, Galerie Marion Decannière, Antwerp, B
2009 - 2013
Mind the Gap: icw Dolores Bouckaert: Soloshow: Netwerk (Aalst) B; Performance Working Title Festival, Pianofabriek, Brussels, B; Brakke Grond, Amsterdam, NL; Galerie Marion Decannière, Antwerp, B; Soloshow Galery Jan Dhaese, Ghent, B
2009
Group show: Artificial Nature, Verbeke Foundation, Stekene, B
2008
Brainbox, CroxhapoxGhent, B
2007
Solo show:Picture This, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Deurle, B
2002
Art in public space: Kasterlinden, Brussels icw King Boudewijn Foundation AIR Cultural Capital of Europe Brugge 2002, Zwem je rijk, AIR
1998-2000
Secret Gardens, Greenwich Festival, London, UK
Art in public space: 30 windsocks, sea front, Knokke-Heist, B
Group show: I never promised you a rose garden, Beelden Buiten, Tielt, B
Solo show: B-space Galery, Kobe, Japan
Group show: Galery Flanders Exchange center, Osaka, Japan
Solo show: Galery Galery, Kyoto, Japan
Group show: Para-site, Brussels, B
Group show: Intersection, Galery Open Hand, Reading, UK
Group show: Intersection, Margret Harvey Gallery, London, UK