CIRCLE IN CIRCLE (HILDE VAN SUMERE)
'Cirkel in cirkel (Circle within circle)’ is a monumental work, standing out with its large size and striking colour. That’s why it dominatess the busy roundabout on one of the main access roads to the city centre of Sint-Niklaas. Hilde Van Sumere’s entire oeuvre consists of abstract compositions, dominated by geometrical shapes, mainly squares and circles. ‘Cirkel in cirkel’ is made of coated steel sheet. It is a complex sculpture with balanced shapes. The intertwining circles aren’t closed and are linked in a special fashion. Even though their lengths differ, there is harmony. Hardly touching one another, they appear to be locked in embrace. Apart from being a beautiful and harmonious composition, the statue invites reflection and interpretation. Do these circles represent man and woman, people needing one another and being strongly bonded? Does the artist promote a message of openness and solidarity?
VAN SUMERE Hilde (1932-2013)
Born in Beersel on October 15th 1932
Died in Asse on May 13th 2013
Training
1958-1964 : Académie Royale des Beaux Arts in Brussels.
1965-1966 : Assistant to the teacher Jacques Moeschal.
Hilde Van Sumere's sculptural work is characterised by its powerful austerity. Her compositions, some of them monumental, others smaller in size, always have a clear, geometric design. Her abstract objects, often in marble, sometimes in steel, polyester or plexi glass, reflect a rare level of craftsmanship and represent her personal vision.
In 1971 a scholarship allowed her to go to Carrara, which became a favourite spot of hers.
Hilde Van Sumere became a member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Sciences and Arts in 1995. She gained international fame and received numerous awards. Her works are found in private and public collections in Belgium and abroad and often adorn special sites. One of her works can be found at the entrance of the VRT (Flemish Broadcasting) building in Brussels.
Kunst in de Stad, December 05th 1998