M’S COLLECTION GROWS WITH MORE THAN 20 WORKS BY CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
The Cera collection celebrates its 25th anniversary and is gaining works by Gerard Herman, Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Jan Vercruysse and Marthe Wéry
April 25, 2023
M Leuven has been given Cera’s art collection on a long-term loan and can celebrate the collection’s 25th anniversary appropriately. On the advice of M, the cooperative made a celebratory purchase of more than 20 artworks. Cera is, for example, adding its first works by emerging artist Gerard Herman to its collection. Purchases were also made of new artworks by reference artists Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Jan Vercruysse and Marthe Wéry already represented.
“With this festive acquisition, the strong partnership between M and Cera once again bears fruit,” says Bert Cornillie, alderman for culture and chairman of M’s board of directors. “The 25th anniversary of the collection does not go unnoticed. This is important, because the importance of the collection for post-war Belgian contemporary art cannot be underestimated.”
“It is the artists who ultimately feels the impact of purchases like this,” adds Peter Bary, director of M Leuven. “Cera gives opportunities to people in our community who have a unique talent that lets them create images and stories that show that everything can be different than what today seems like. For a cooperative working on resilience, art is a powerful tool. Art lets you see the world in a way you might not have known or recognised before.”
Franky Depickere, managing director Cera: “Cera has been investing in art by Belgian artists for over twenty-five years based on its cooperative values and ambitions. It is not only established names that are supported, but also promising talent and advanced talent that has remained underexposed. The new group of purchases showcases both these paths in the collection.”
This acquisition policy is in line with the contemporary exhibition policy of M, which manages and exhibits the collection. M Leuven offers Cera advice annually around the expansion of its collection and was also responsible for the advice for this edition of purchases.
New acquisitions
Gerard Herman (Born 1989) is an artist living and working in Antwerp. Cera purchased an ensemble of four artworks from Herman, including the triptych Idée Pour Un Long Métrage. This means that Cera is explicitly committed to developing an artist whose work is new to the collection.
Joëlle Tuerlinckx (Born 1958) has for the past 30 years played an important role in Belgian arts. Cera bought work from her early on in her development, and has continued to support her throughout the unfolding of her work by purchasing additional work. This created a strong presence of Tuerlinckx’s artworks in the collection, reflecting the growth of her work over the years. From Tuerlinckx, Cera acquires a group of artworks consisting of a sculpture and accompanying works on paper.
Jan Vercruysse (1948-2018) was a leading artist in the Belgian arts and left an important body of work. Cera acquired a group of artworks by Vercruysse in the early years of the collection (1999), including a series of prints featuring designs for his ‘Labyrinth & Pleasure Gardens’, a key moment in his oeuvre. Vercurysse designed the ‘Labyrinth & Pleasure Gardens’ between 1994 and 2001, two of which were actually built (including in Knokke). With this year’s acquisition of the second part of these works, Cera completes this series in its collection.
Marthe Wéry (1930-2005) was also very important for 20th-century Belgian art. Yet, for a long time, she remained fairly underrepresented in Belgian collections. Early in the collection’s existence, Cera invested in an ensemble of her works and also published a monograph on the artist. That ensemble will this year be expanded with the acquisition of four artworks (including a triptych) by Wéry. In this way, her presence in the collection also continues to be built on posthumously.
All purchases
- Gerard Herman, ‘Cash Cow’, assemblage, 2022
- Gerard Herman, ‘Idée Pour Un Long Métrage’, three wall sculptures with drawing, 2022
- Joëlle Tuerlinckx, group of artworks around the sculpture ‘Barre’, ‘1,2, VIELE’, various materials, 1996-2022.
- Jan Vercruysse, ‘Labyrinth & Pleasure Gardens’, 13 lithograph prints, 1994-2001
- Marthe Wéry, ‘Untitled (Ijsselland)’, acrylic paint on panel and varnished wood, 1993
- Marthe Wéry, ‘Untitled’, acrylic paint on DiBond, 2002
Cera Art Podcast
As part of its 25th anniversary, Cera has launched the Art Podcast, with support from M Leuven. Artists from the collection will offer unique insights into their practice. The podcast is available here.
About Cera
With 400,000 enthusiastic members, Cera is the country’s strongest and warmest cooperative. Together, we go further, experience more and invest better in initiatives that (do) good and connect people, in projects that pay off for all of us.
Together, we care for each other.
