Julien Delagrange
The Passion

March 12 — April 22, 2021

CAI Gallery
Schouwburgplein 4A
Kortrijk, Belgium

On the occasion of the official opening of the new exhibition space, CAI Gallery is pleased to present The Passion, a solo exhibition by gallery director Julien Delagrange. The focal point of the show consists of an eponymous series of charcoal drawings, produced over the past two years. 

Earlier this year, Delagrange finished the last drawing of a series titled The Passion, inspired by Pina Bausch’s (1940 – 2009) choreography of The Rite of Spring. The series depicts a group of figures in a state of complete ecstasy.“The title was on some level straightforward. It is to say, it was and is an intuitive title as the visual structure is drenched in passion, energy and life. It focuses on our experience as human beings. All experiences, including grief, vulnerability, loneliness, hunger, longing, sin, shame and anguish accompanied by strength, adoration, to be adored, commitment, transcendence, togetherness, oneness, desire and extasy.”

According to Delagrange, the power of the works resides in the correlation of the substance and the image. The Rite of Spring is marked by a strong emphasis on human primitivity — which is a common feature in his wider oeuvre — forming a unique continuum and metaphor due to the primitive character of charcoal. Doing so, the artist reminds us about our human nature, not only who but also what we are. An issue relevant in an era in which we continue to drift further away from our nature. An artist edition of eighty numbered and signed and copies and two artist proofs has been published with CAI. The publication compiles all twelve drawings and is signed by the artist with same charcoal the drawings are made with. The artist edition is available in the gallery and/or online via the CAI bookshop.

The exhibition runs from March 12 until April 22, 2021 from Wednesday to Friday from 13:00 to 18:00 and on Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 or by appointment.