Page 180 - Famous

MONIQUE DE RAE

Lives and works in Lommel, Belgium
w w w.mderae.be

The artist’s freedom to depict the world as he or she sees it is a right won
after a struggle fought a long time ago. In modern art, this has led to many
different currents in the course of which highly individual forms of expression,
the development of a personal perspective and the search for a personal
vision have constantly led to new expressions and art forms. As strange as it
may seem, artists still succeed in surprising us with their new, personal view
of life around them, not hesitating to shock us at times with the techniques
and subjects they use. The question is whether the viewer’s appreciation of
modern art is at all important these days. The more important thing seems
to be for artists to be able to express themselves and depict their view of
people around them and of a society that is changing at an ever faster pace.
As in the past, some artists draw on the innermost parts of their own lives
and emotional experiences. During the last few years, Monique De Rae has
succeeded in bridging the gap between these two different approaches.
Through the eyes of her companionable pet dog, she admires the world
around her and, with gentle humor, the Blue-eyed Lady lets her invent a
world of her own. This series appeals through its originality and freshness.
The idea of observing our increasingly complex world through the eyes of a
pet dog is something unique, for example: “Questions about mobile phones!”,
“Music in the 20th century”, “Time is money” (stress), “Utopia” (peace), “The
homeless”, etc… In an age when doom and gloom are often the word of the
day, and artists try to make a name for themselves by breaking the remaining
taboos (if they haven’t done that already), the charm and warmth of art made
with love leave a lingering glow in the heart and mind of the viewer. We hope
that the art work on “The Bleu-eyed Lady” will help a wider audience to get
to know and appreciate this artist who, with her gentle sense of humor, has
created a dream world which is truly her own.
Erwin Joos - Curator Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum, Antwerp, Belgium

THE ORANGE BATHING CABINE, WATERCOLOR

25X22 IN. / 64X55 CM.

THE WINTER BEHIND ME, OIL ON CANVAS
32X24 IN. / 80X60 CM. 
MUSIC IN THE 20TH CENTURY, OIL ON CANVAS
24X32 IN. / 60X80 CM. 

180
FAMOUS
CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS