In this historic building, where therapists are trained, Pierre Mertens is exhibiting his paintings for the first time. His works build upon the theme of naked little figures, which he used till the mid-90s to transform objects and buildings. The figures in his paintings vary but remain faithful to the central theme: the tension between the collective and the vulnerability of the individual.
The individual is stripped of personality, evoking a connection to the anonymous masses. The heads of the figures resemble those of termites, appearing as part of a larger whole. Without hair or ears, and with arms stretched wide, they seek their place within this collective.
Within this theme, Mertens experimented with diverse styles and materials, making this exhibition a showcase of his evolution as a painter.
