Sculptor Erik Legrand turned his level garden into an exhibition space full of metal sculptures in zinc, copper and rebar. Devils, grotesques and metal insects welcome you there during their open days on May 11 and 12.
Erik and Esther Legrand lived in Schoten for years, but moved to Bakkersdreef in Kalmthout seventeen years ago. Every year Erik Legrand exhibited in Schoten Castle. His sculptures were also exhibited in many cultural centers in the provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders. Galleries came to him asking if he would show his work to them as well.
Wife Esther Legrand handles PR for her artistic husband. She does not think it is important to go public with her own family name. “Most people in the community don’t know my last name. When they talk about me, they talk about the sculptor’s wife.”
During the first years that they lived here, Erik exhibited in the Kalmthout town hall. This is how he tried to gain some name recognition. After the renovations of their house and the gradual construction of their garden, Erik and Esther decided to no longer exhibit at different locations.
From gallery to sculpture garden
Erik Legrand: “Collaborating with galleries and cultural centers offers opportunities, but is very labor intensive. First you have to transfer all the sculptures to the exhibition space and some of those sculptures weigh quite a bit. After the exhibition everything returns home. Then Esther and I brought the sold images to the buyers. That’s why we decided to turn our garden into an attractive exhibition space.”
Garden full of statues. — © rr
Erik and Esther are busy designing the new exhibition. “When we organize open days, there are always more than a hundred sculptures on display. From the covered gallery at the house you have a beautiful overall view of the sculpture garden,” assures the Kalmthouts artist.
On May 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the artist couple again invites everyone to Bakkersdreef 27, Heide Kalmthout. Info: www.eriklegrand.be
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