The Madonna of the Mists – Luk van Soom (2005)
Realised art in public spaces
In 2002, housing corporation IN asked the CBK for advice on an art commission. Former director Louwris Kroon preferred to spend his farewell gift on the tenants and called on them to make a housing wish. Out of 55 entries, the idea of Wim Grijze from Paddepoel, who wanted a work of art for his neighbourhood, was chosen.
Luk van Soom
In 2003, an art committee was formed by two local residents, representatives of IN, ROEZ and the CBK. An art commission was formulated and from a pre-selection the committee chose the Belgian Luk van Soom. He made two sketches and De Madonna van de Nevelen (The Madonna of the Mists) was the preferred design.
The Madonna has been made once before and is in Belgium at a private clinic. For Paddepoel, the Madonna was cast for the second time, and that will remain the only one for the Netherlands! Het Witte Wief (The Wise Woman), as the neighbourhood representatives are already calling the sculpture, stands along the waterfront of the Reitdiep.
The Luk van Soom – What’s happening on the clouds
From 1 September to 1 January 2006, more work by the imaginative artist was on display in the CBK. He draws inspiration in his own work from Le petit prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This was very much in evidence in the exhibition and was also reflected in our educational offerings.