9th Biennial of Painting

Stories from the Ground

“Painting not only serves as a window into the world and the artists' minds but can also be contemplated from a shared perspective: the ground upon which every artist, every person, every being stands. This goes beyond a mere metaphor for the ecological challenges of our time; it acts as a universal denominator on a planetary scale.” — Curator Martin Germann

Shifting the focus from the horizon to the ground, Stories from the Ground brings together a selection of artists whose practices manifest the concept of “ground” in diverse ways: in literal terms like earth and the ground on which we lie, sit, stand, and walk; but also in the many ways artists engage with painting, as an age-old foundation that provides stability and support while constantly challenging existing ideas about art and mastery.

Departing from MDD’s collection, this Biennial exhibition explores some unconventional artistic practices. In this context, painting consistently plays a distinctive yet ever-changing role: as a dim, long-abandoned path, a tool for opening new perspectives, a tradition to be dismantled, or as an open language to tell stories.

About the Biennial of Painting

In three exhibitions, Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens, Roger Raveel Museum and the Museum of Deinze and the Leie Region engage their historical collections with the works of contemporary artists. Through current perspectives, they aim to explore the art of painting over the past hundred years. The unique setting of the Leie Region plays a pivotal role in the background, inspiring generations of artists.

Reopening MDD

The ninth edition of the Biennial coincides with the reopening of Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens after a second renovation phase.