The light we travel by

 13 / 06 / 2025 - 04 / 07 / 2025

This exhibition is a tribute to the artist's love of books and reading. In the words of Lieve van Thienen "books are the guardians of memory, and like best friends they are always there, always available, when you need them. They will invite you to reflect in the slippery corners of your memory and open doors to see reality differently. The act of painting nevertheless is resisting the constant demands of clarity and is a kind of truth that words can’t capture."  

Some of the works in this show are painted directly onto the linen covers of antique books. Books that have been read and are now repurposed as artefacts of a different artistic expression beyond their original intention. Imbued with a new energy and reality - they become a palimpsest.

The paintings themselves are executed in a palette of gentle tones reminiscent of Giorgio Morandi (indeed Morandi is name-checked in one of the artworks). The format is relatively small; ranging from 15cm up to 70cm. They invite intimate observation and thoughtful reflection. 

Lieve Van Thienen's silverpoint images are made by drawing with a fine silver rod or wire directly onto the prepared wooden surface. A finely detailed technique which requires a slow building up of many layers before the faint image eventually emerges. She finishes the images with a layer of oil paint.

There is a serenity and intriguing subtlety to this work. The images shown on the screen cannot possibly demonstrate the subtlety of line or colour, these works really deserve to be seen up close and in reality!

Lieve Van Thienen is a Brussels-based Belgian artist. She holds a Masters Degree in Fine Art from Sint-Lukas Brussels and along with her practice, she has been teaching drawing and project atelier at RHoK academy for Fine Arts, in Etterbeek until her retirement in 2024. This is her second exhibition at the Green Door Gallery.

Catalogue and prices (PDF 512kB) 

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