Afterimages

The work of Ronny Delrue (b. 1957, Heestert, BE) was recently on display at IKOB, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Eupen. Following this exhibition, Stijn Coppejans and the artist have jointly selected a series of works that will be further presented at the gallery in the exhibition Afterimages.

In his oeuvre, Delrue consistently moves between presence and absence, between remembering and forgetting, between what becomes visible and what consciously disappears. His works bear traces of time, doubt and repetition, and elude unambiguous meaning. They do not function as finished statements, but open up a field of attention and concentration, in which fragility and introspection take centre stage, a practice that invites slow and attentive viewing.

In the gallery, a large table forms the heart of the presentation: a place where visitors gather to discuss the work and exchange insights. Below you will find the full programme.

VERNISSAGE – TABLE TALK 1: CONNECTION
Saturday 25.04.2026

• 19:30: welcome
• 20:00: table talk 1
• 20:20: reception, meet & greet

without subscription

How do artists and galleries find each other? It may be a different story every time, but there are likely to be many parallels. During the opening, the usual speeches and talks will be replaced by an interactive round-table discussion between gallery owner Stijn Coppejans and artist Ronny Delrue on precisely this topic: how did the collaboration come about and what does each partner consider important in this regard?

TABLE TALK 2: WORKING MEETING WITH M HKA
Thursday 30 April, 15:00

subscribe adina@coppejansgallery.be
max. 15p

Anyone wishing to witness – and even play a small part in – a discussion about museum plans should not miss the second round-table discussion. Already seated at the table are Piet Van Hecke and Jan De Vree from the M HKA , who will be exploring with us the possibilities of a project with Ronny Delrue within the museum’s walls. What are the obstacles? How does a good concept come about, and what is the appropriate format for an exhibition? 

TABLE TALK 3: WORD/IMAGE
Thursday 7 May, 15:00

subscribe adina@coppejansgallery.be
max. 25p

Can one understand a work of art without text or context? Can one grasp a work of art through written or spoken words alone? The tension between word and image is a theme that is always present in the background when publishing a book, curating an exhibition, and even creating the artwork itself.

This time, we are joined by art historian Prof. Emerita Dr Katlijne Van der Stighelen and philosopher Prof. Emeritus Herman Parret. In an open and multi-layered conversation, we explore how seeing and thinking relate to one another: where language clarifies, yet equally obscures; where the image eludes meaning, yet continues to speak. We seek to uncover what takes place before understanding, and what might remain once all words have been exhausted. Do not expect definitive answers, but rather an invitation to attention, doubt and imagination — a moment in which art is not merely discussed, but can be reborn in the gaze of those present.

PRIVATE VIEWING ROOM

to be published later