Ommegang – A Contemporary vision by Phil Van Duynen

Inspired by the Ommegang, the exhibition offers a contemporary artistic reinterpretation of this emblematic event. Phil Van Duynen’s work blends photography and digital painting through an approach rooted in anachronism. Reconstructed historical figures, visual fragmentation, and the hybridization of eras create a striking dialogue between past and present. Dear to the hearts of Brussels residents, the Ommegang remains one of the most emblematic historical and festive events in Brussels. In 2013, Belgian artist Phil Van Duynen was invited to propose a contemporary interpretation of this major historical event. Through an exhibition prepared by the Centre Albert Marinus and presented at the Coudenberg Palace, the artist combines abstraction, figuration, and digital manipulation in his works to produce creations that are both surreal and deeply contemporary. His approach transforms the historical narrative into an immersive visual experience, making the Ommegang accessible to today’s sensibilities. By taking over the Maison du Prieur, a heritage gem of the Rouge-Cloître, this exhibition offers a unique encounter between memory, heritage, and contemporary creation. It highlights how living traditions can nourish today’s artistic imagination and continue to engage in dialogue with our time.