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‘Seascapes, Spells & Scenics’

After studying at the Willem de Kooning Academy (Rotterdam), Danielle Luinge (Hellevoetsluis, 1972) took a temporary hiatus in her performing artistry. It brought her to Zierikzee where she settled in 1999 and since 2005 picked up the thread from her home studio and her work was soon picked up again. From that time, Danielle exhibited with 'Itch' an artist collective (with Kobe de Peuter and Jan Willem Maris, among others) but exhibited solo shortly thereafter. Mainly in Belgium, where she has been a popular exhibitor to this day with a loyal following of enthusiasts and collectors. Thus, she exhibited at the Antwerp Cabin, PAK Gistel and Soldes Almanach (according to Andy Warhol "the best magazine in the world") has been including her work in the magazine for many editions. Danielle exhibited with Soldes in Brussels and Paris, this year her work graces the cover.

Through exhibitions in Belgium, Danielle met her partner Giovanni. They have been living and working in Zierikzee since 2015.

From Torhout (West Flanders), the birthplace of Giovanni Winne (1975), you travel by train in 15 minutes to Bruges, there he obtained his higher degree in painting at De Stedelijke Academie voor Schone Kunsten. Besides a course in restoration which he completed at Atelier Marc Penninck de Landal, Giovanni has exhibited frequently since 1998, but never before in Zeeland (!), with this exhibition Atelier 21 has the scoop.

In his work, Giovanni seeks the dividing line between realism and abstraction.

In his work, one finds a subtlety of contrast; the thickened oil paint, with which the texture of the brush and palette knife remain unpolished, retains its finesse.

Fearsome seascapes crafted from patient imagination, produce a meditatively restless performance.

Both Luinge and Winne paint from action in the moment. Not premeditated, from a photograph, a memory recalled in advance or on location ‘en plein air’. The images come from an inner world where the idea is uninhibitedly handed to the artist, who translates it, converts it into matter. Painting in direct contact with the story, uncompromisingly expressed with visible contradictions. The aesthetic of the menacing natural phenomenon in Winne's landscapes or Luinge's cinematic staging of her (self)personas. Abrasively soft, vulnerably strong. Beyond the performance one encounters a narrative, non-conformist and conjuring at the same time, in the service of the objective gaze. Enchantingly down-to-earth.

Follow the signs for Zierikzee, on display from Aug. 1 through Aug. 24.

On Monday 22 July, Danielle, Giovanni and gallery owner Frans are guests of Radio Centraal Antwerp, with host Leo Reijnders (De Wolkenbreiers) talking about the upcoming exhibition, among other things.

Saturday 3 August (opening weekend) 14:00 soprano Sheila Conolly sings songs by Debussy and Schubert, among others.

Most of the work in this duo exhibition is available for purchase, check the webshop for availability and prices.

Follow instagram for up-to-date information.

©danielleluinge&giovanniwinne

text, video, music ©fransblanker