The June issue usually gives way to a new 20-something list, featuring models, musicians, actors, illustrators, fashion designers, photographers, artists, architects,... and so much more. The people who are a representation of young society in Belgium, a generation ready to rule our world. In 2020, hence the double number, we’re serving you, hungry hearts, 2 editions of our acclaimed list. That’s right, we’re doubling the number of features, starting a bit earlier. Let us introduce you to the faces you didn't realise you wanted to meet!
Louise Delanghe
Painter, Ghent
Photo of Louise’s atelier by Marthe Hoet
What do we & our readers need to remember about you?
Nothing compares to wild humour.
What is the (near) future bringing you?
Hopefully meeting a lot of inspiring people who cross my path, discovering places through my work, continuing to live and think freely, and further shooting my work at everyone who wants to see it.
What are you up to these days?
I’m swinging my brushes at full speed.
What artists are you listening to?
This is constantly changing and circulating depending on the books hanging around at the breakfast table and my atelier. Artists such as Meret Oppenheim, Kippenberger, Van Gogh, Fragonard, Pieter Aertsen, Hannah Höch, Artemisia Gentileschi, Charley Toorop, Francis Picabia, Alfons Walde, Jean-Baptiste Corot, Pieter Breugel the Elder, Mika Rottenberg, Wilhelm Trübner, …are currently the artists interwoven in the series of paintings I have been working on the last few months. And of course, always mixed with some good old surfing on the waves of Google images!
Which records are you playing most right now?
My boyfriend is an avid LP record collector, I like to be guided by his exquisite taste. The thoughts of Gilbert and George, The Students, Students in Summer, Dr. C. Stein and Moondog have been playing like crazy these days.
What makes your heart go faster these days?
My heart goes fast enough, I like to keep it low-key.
Nothing compares to wild humour
What are you doing daily at 9pm/9am?
9 am: Working on my summer body, then I drink a little coffee and I smoke a cigarette. After this, I realise ‘Louise couldn't resist smoking that cigarette again, come on…’ and I eat a delicious sandwich, 2 or 3… before getting ready to walk the dog.
How do you bring some routine into your days?
I don’t believe in routine, every day grows organically. A day is like a tunnel with holes, it gets more and more filled, each time with other emulsions until it is emptied at the end of the day, getting ready for the next day….or something like that.
What does your face mask look like?
Like a clown.
What brings you satisfaction?
Fruits de Mer, I’m a woman of the sea.
What’s your favourite lockdown book?
‘The Letters of Paul Cézanne’ by Alex Danchev.
What’s your favourite lockdown film?
I recently watched Novecento, a 1976 film, from Bernardo Bertolucci, 317 minutes. Impressive…
How do you keep healthy?
By not thinking too much about it.
What’s one of your sources of inspiration that may surprise people?
Well, it's kind of weird, or maybe not at all, but I like looking at real estate websites, I don't really know why. I like to look around in people's interiors I guess. After 1 hour I realize, fuck, this is kind of brainless haha. Maybe in a second life, I'll become a top broker, who knows…
What would you like to be doing in 10 years time?
Still putting out work of course.
How does the current crisis make you feel?
I love the peacefulness and quietness of the city without the tourists eating waffles with whipped cream at a speed of 100 km/h... I’m going to miss this when everything falls back into folds. It’s truly unique. The rat race and excessive consumption are on hold for a moment, which is liberating. This won’t last, that would be a utopia. Yet, I hope this crisis is a time for myself and many others to realize that things need to change to make the world healthier, more ecological and more livable for everyone.
How important are fellow companions now? How do you reach out?
I try to call and send to friends and family once in a while, to catch up on some stories of daily life. It's also nice that my studio is in a large building with other artists, it creates a certain sense of togetherness. If I'm lucky, I'll meet a known passerby on the way home. I must say, the slower way of life suits me.
What is the latest/future project you are working on?
I’ve been painting from January ‘till now on a series of paintings. Also, I’m making illustrations for Médor magazine right now. The topic of the article is about GHB and GBL, two drugs that are becoming more and more frequent at parties in Brussels.
I wish the city of Ghent would be richer in good galleries with post-avant-garde allures
Did you have an exhibition/concert/show on your agenda these days? Which one?
Normally I took part in the ‘PASS’ show (May 2020) curated by Jan Hoet Jr. and Kris Martin, but it's been cancelled like so many things.
What will the second part of 2020 bring you?
I don’t know yet, we'll see, right?
Who is the person that most influenced you throughout your development in life?
Matthieu Ronsse, my boyfriend and life companion.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned lately?
My dog's balls are huge, the most fertile playboy of Oudburg for sure.
Is there anyone in your scene who needs more attention?
The Ghent art scene generally deserves more attention. I wish the city of Ghent would be richer in good galleries with post-avant-garde allures, there is a need for more cross-pollination.
Comfort food/speciality dish now?
Asparagus.
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