Berlinde De Bruyckere Embraces the Human Condition at Commanderie de Peyrassol

In the South of France, Philippe Austruy’s Commanderie de Peyrassol—a 13th-century Templar Commandery turned vineyard and private art venue—is currently presenting the work of Belgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere in “City of Refuge I,” currently on view through November 5. Curated with Galleria Continua, the exhibition invokes the rich history of the thriving, natural landscape as a safe and nourishing haven for pilgrims, sustained by the Knights Templar, during their journey to Palestine. Within the shelter of the gallery, as well as the freedom of the flourishing vineyard, the artist’s multi-layered works speak to the past, present, and future of human anguish, compassion, and fortitude.

Prompted by the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, De Bruyckere developed a surreal archangel figure—a biblical angel—which embodies the infinite human struggle against all shades of adversity, while also standing as a magnetic symbol of optimism and preservation. The large-scale sculpture Arcangelo (Commanderie de Peyrassol (2023) resides in the security and beauty of the vineyard as a rapturous work of art that transcends time and place, and will soon join the Philippe Austruy Collection. Additional pieces composed of diverse materials such as animal hair, wood, glass, and rope appear as abstract, highly textural artifacts of war and survival. It almost seemed a lily II (2021-2023), a conglomeration of leather, wallpaper, iron, and animal hair is an ardent embrace of life, neither ending nor beginning, in a state of perpetual metamorphosis.

“The Commanderie de Peyrassol inspires me enormously,” explained De Bruyckere. “When I visited it, I immediately visualized an Arcangelo in the middle of the vineyards, much larger than those I've created to date. I like the idea of visitors glimpsing it in the distance, unable to identify whether it's an ancient sculpture. Traditionally, statues mounted on large columns represent heroes. Mine are the opposite: it's the human condition that interests me, all the more so in the world we live in. Perhaps now, more than ever, is the time for artists to open dialogues. The Commanderie de Peyrassol raises these questions. Walking through this marvelous natural setting, encountering the works of art that inhabit it, allows for this intellectual and emotional journey. I see this approach as a pilgrimage, especially to this Arcangelo, which will live to the rhythm of the seasons.”