
2024-12-11 Guy Woueté: public artwork opened in Borgerhout
Congratulations to our fellow Guy Woueté whose very first public artwork "De pied à pied" had been opened on December 11, 2024, in Borgerhout (Herman van Den Reeckstraat, 2140 Antwerp, Belgium).
"De pied à pied" is a piece that explores class struggle and the symbols of (colonial) domination in public spaces, while addressing many other dimensions. It draws inspiration from my video installation "Menu" created in 2008 and showcased this summer in the exhibition "Bijoux Cailloux" at NW Aalst.
"I didn’t want to offer a dead object to the neighborhood. I wanted "De pied à pied" to be something joyful, inviting everyone to interact, reflect, and engage with it".
On view between Van Hersteenstraat and Herman van Reeckstraat in Borgerhout (Antwerp Belgium). Artist Guy Woueté created the artwork De pied à pied (2024) specifically for Borgerhout. In the middle of the grass, two enlarged feet stand next to each other. It looks like the remnants of a giant statue that might once have stood here, of a Roman emperor or a mythological figure.
The firmly booted right foot expresses authority, security and strength but also evokes violence and danger. The left foot is free, naked and vulnerable.
The bronze sculptures invite reflection on the balance between power and powerlessness, oppression and resilience. They recall the enormous responsibility of those in power and the importance of tolerant coexistence. The artwork, with which the artist also wants to take a critical look at colonial history, urges us to remain committed to the collective good and to never accept social injustice.
Photo: Oeuvre: Guy Woueté "De pied à pied" 2024 - collection: Kunst in de Stad. photo; Tom Comille