Maria Blondeel, born in 1963 in Halle, is recognized for her groundbreaking work in the 80s and 90s, merging technology, light, sound, and image. Her suggestive and poetic compositions, yielding abstract yet varied and surprising visuals, have been shown internationally in museums and galleries across Belgium, Germany, Japan, and the United States. Despite its technological nature, her work touches upon the intangible and questions contemporary society's digital culture of disappearance.
The artwork featured on the NAFT Billboard originates from a series of 72 photograms created by Maria Blondeel in 1995. A photogram is produced without a camera, by placing objects directly onto photosensitive paper and exposing it to light. For this series, the artist utilized the diazotype technique, also known as blueprint or cyanotype, historically used for architectural plans.
Soon, d’Academie Beeld will host a solo presentation by artist Maria Blondeel. In conjunction with her new book "95G_DOKA", published by Posture Editions, Maria presents a dual exhibition: starting Saturday, October 31st, at d’Academie Beeld in Sint-Niklaas, and on November 13th at Convent in Ghent.
The exhibition at d’Academie will feature both new works and video and slides from her light and sound installation "95G_DOKA". In the Annex hall, the complete series of 72 diazotype photograms will be displayed, alongside artifacts from her archive, such as BLWDRKlank/d.
The NAFT Billboard, a permanent art project integrating contemporary art into the urban landscape, serves as an announcement for the exhibition. The project showcases diverse disciplines, offering local and international artists a platform in an open-air context, amidst daily city life. This marks the tenth design since the project's inception in 2023.
The exhibition runs from November 14th to December 20th, 2026, at the Vierkante Zaal (Annex), Paul Snoekstraat 3, 9100 Sint-Niklaas. The vernissage is on Saturday, October 31st, 2026, at 4 PM. Opening hours are Wednesdays from 2 PM to 5 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM, or by appointment. Admission is free.
The NAFT Billboard project is realized by the city council with the valued support of partners Springvis Foundation and Van Hoecke nv. Project management was handled by curator Wham Office (Bart Warnier) in collaboration with d'Academie Beeld (Niko Van Stichel).
