Charles Degeyter's 'Life in Cold Blood' Reimagines Beekeeping at Tatjana Pieters
The 'Life in Cold Blood' exhibition, currently on display at Tatjana Pieters gallery in Ghent, marks the third solo showcase of Belgian artist Charles Degeyter. This exhibition delves into themes of coexistence through the story of a young beekeeper, his bees, and a wandering cat. Degeyter's figurative beehives draw inspiration from the Northern German Bannkörbe tradition, emphasizing harmonious coexistence rather than exploitation. His background in designing concert posters for bands such as Nine Inch Nails informs his work, which also nods to black metal culture. Partnering with VZW Zwarte Bij and Imkerij Sprookjesbos, Degeyter's high reliefs feature band logos and flower-like figures. His art is displayed in various venues and is part of private collections in both Belgium and the US.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Life in Cold Blood' is Charles Degeyter's third solo show at Tatjana Pieters, Ghent.
- The exhibition features figurative beehives inspired by the Northern German Bannkörbe tradition.
- Degeyter's hives are designed as living structures for bees, not for honey production.
- The artist has designed concert posters for Nine Inch Nails, Melvins, and Pentagram.
- Masks in the exhibition reference black metal culture and corpse paint.
- Degeyter collaborates with VZW Zwarte Bij and Imkerij Sprookjesbos to preserve the native black bee.
- The exhibition includes high reliefs and rubbings (frottages) created from the reliefs.
- Degeyter's work is currently on view at Villa Les Zéphyrs and Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, and will be in a group show at ABBY Kortrijk this autumn.
Entities
Artists
- Charles Degeyter
Institutions
- Tatjana Pieters
- VZW Zwarte Bij
- Imkerij Sprookjesbos
- Artbeat Gallery
- Ghent University Museum
- Snijders&Rockoxhuis
- Verbeke Foundation
- St Bavo's Cathedral
- Kunstenhuis Harelbeke
- Ter Posterie Roeselare
- De Warande
- Northern-Southern
- Villa Les Zéphyrs
- Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
- ABBY Kortrijk
- Ghent University
Locations
- Ghent
- Belgium
- Tbilisi
- Georgia
- Antwerp
- Kemzeke
- Harelbeke
- Roeselare
- Turnhout
- Austin
- United States
- Middelkerke
- Leiden
- Netherlands
- Kortrijk