Something new on Place Charles Gailly in Fleurus: a giant 48 m² fresco by Ben Vanderick has been unveiled to the public.
It comes to dress the facade where the coffee was stuck before which burnt down in 1988 … and which had been a canker since that time. “The square will soon be converted into a square-terrace”, notes in particular Loïc d’Hayer (PS), the local mayor. It is the boss of Al Picchio Rosso, opposite, who bought the land and who plans to make a terrace and an event venue, “it will also help to renovate other buildings in the square that need it”, he slips us.
The fresco, called “Happiness”, represents a little girl, a big smile on her face, hugs herself tightly in her own arms: “the idea was to represent hope, comfort, especially in this complicated time”, explains the artist Ben Vanderick. “When you’re in a tough spot, you can curl up and cry, or smile and move on.” Emotion, sharing, well-being, this is what he wanted to exhibit here, on the “front door” of the hyper-center. “But it’s much more than that, it’s also a way of seeing your city struggle, evolve, grow” adds Loïc d’Hayer. “We have talented artists in Fleurus, but when we say that we often think of the past century. While we have young talented artists from Fleurus today too.”
Ben Vanderick enjoys international renown. And after London, Paris, Miami and New York, Fleurus joined the very closed circle of fans of his hyperpointillism. Self-taught, Ben Vanderick explains to us that it is in fact pointillism, but with big points. And indeed, if the effect is photorealistic (he works from photographs that he reproduces by hand) from a distance, up close the rendering is much more abstract, almost coarse.
His work in 14 shades of gray has already won over Elton John, Raphael Nadal, Marouane Fellaini and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
To appreciate his works from near and far in good conditions, in addition to the fresco in the city center, Ben Vanderick exhibits this Saturday June 12 from 1 to 6 p.m. and this Sunday June 13 from 10 to 5 p.m. at the library of the Bonne Source, place Gailly in Fleurus. Admission is free, and the paintings are for sale.
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