Text by Jan Van Gyseghem – pictures by Hendrik De Schrijver – Read the full article on VOKA.be
Since last year, Sara Louwagie owns the bronze foundry started by Jo Van Geert in 1998. She left a top job in consumer marketing and has worked for various corporate companies. “It was time for something new,” she felt, “even if it was a step into the dark.” Her passion for art brought her to unknown Aalst.
“I am very positive about the future. I see many opportunities for growth: the art world is very dynamic and there is a lot of influx of young people ‘consuming’ art. Crafts are experiencing their momentum and are receiving more appreciation. It is important to tell a story so that people understand the difference between a crafted product and a machine-made creation. I want to innovate, as support, not to take away craft. We are not going to replace people with machines, because in craftsmanship those people are the added value.”
“In the future, I want to position us even more clearly as a home for the artist. He/she should feel welcome here so that he/she can experiment and learn. That connection with the artist is very important to me. It must remain an atelier here, not a factory. The ultimate dream is to bring different art disciplines or crafts together for a more complete experience and experimentation platform.”
Two containers on the company site are already being used as a place for artists. Sara wants to provide even more space for artists in residence.
Since last year, Sara Louwagie owns the bronze foundry started by Jo Van Geert in 1998. She left a top job in consumer marketing and has worked for various corporate companies. “It was time for something new,” she felt, “even if it was a step into the dark.” Her passion for art brought her to unknown Aalst.
“I am very positive about the future. I see many opportunities for growth: the art world is very dynamic and there is a lot of influx of young people ‘consuming’ art. Crafts are experiencing their momentum and are receiving more appreciation. It is important to tell a story so that people understand the difference between a crafted product and a machine-made creation. I want to innovate, as support, not to take away craft. We are not going to replace people with machines, because in craftsmanship those people are the added value.”
“In the future, I want to position us even more clearly as a home for the artist. He/she should feel welcome here so that he/she can experiment and learn. That connection with the artist is very important to me. It must remain an atelier here, not a factory. The ultimate dream is to bring different art disciplines or crafts together for a more complete experience and experimentation platform.”
Two containers on the company site are already being used as a place for artists. Sara wants to provide even more space for artists in residence.
VAN GEERT ART FOUNDRY works for and with prominent Belgian artists (Koen Van Mechelen, Kasper Bosmans, Thomas Lerooy, Kris Martin, Guillaume Bijl, Fen de Villiers, Philippe Geluck) and with established international names such as Michael Ray Charles and Marina Pinsky. The foundry also restores sculptures by great sculptors, such as Arman, Folon and George Grard.
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