ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Valérie Mannaerts' 'Antennae' Surveys Three Decades of Hybrid Sculpture at M Leuven

exhibition · 2026-05-04

M Leuven presents 'Antennae', a solo exhibition by Belgian artist Valérie Mannaerts, running through an unspecified date. The show spans five rooms, tracing 30 years of her practice while debuting new works. Mannaerts' sculptures blend organic and inorganic forms, questioning materiality and identity through a feminist lens. The title metaphorically references insect antennae, symbolizing her artistic sensitivity to subtle connections. The first room explores painting-sculpture tension; the second focuses on the body and clothing as meaning-generating skin; the third features a monumental woven garden as an intimate panorama; the final two rooms turn inward, examining the interplay between interior self and exterior visibility. The exhibition culminates in a new installation reflecting on art's societal position. An exhibition booklet is available online.

Key facts

  • Exhibition 'Antennae' at M Leuven
  • Valérie Mannaerts is the artist
  • Covers 30 years of artistic practice
  • Includes new work
  • Five rooms with distinct themes
  • Title references insect antennae
  • Feminist thinking influences the work
  • Exhibition booklet available at mleuven.be

Entities

Artists

  • Valérie Mannaerts

Institutions

  • M Leuven

Locations

  • Leuven
  • Belgium

Sources