Hof der dingen - Say it in a sculpture, Maud

Designing letters by hand and applying them to stone with hammer and chisel is what artist Maud Bekaert lives for. At the start of her training in letter sculpturing, design and calligraphy, she soon knew what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. No sooner said than done. 

What if you could share wonderfully poetic and eloquent words with a wide audience — and do so in a beautifully aesthetic way? That was the idea that inspired Bruges-based Maud Bekaert to open her own studio in Bruges and how her partner, poet Peter Verhelst, describes her work. 

Maud brings ideas to life in stone, metal, wood, and an array of contemporary materials. Her collection is exhibited all over the world and distinguishes itself by its rather peculiar and taut character. 

Maud was one of the first creators to receive the Handmade in Brugge label, which promotes the work of local artisans in Bruges who create products by hands. She’s also the founder of Atelier Wolk, a contemporary collection of memorial gifts and farewell texts. 

In addition to her passion for creating, she also lost her heart to Kheylisha in 2004. In this South African city, better known as a slum of Cape Town, Bekaert started an organisation to train children to be letter carvers. By travelling back to South Africa every year she wants to share her skills with the local people. 

In 2008 she brought the WOR(L)DS project to life. The project is a collaboration between South African calligraphers who make the designs and Flemish letter sculptors who create it. With the money generated by these designs Maud supports the population of Kheylisha. 

Maud Bekaert donated the work Onverwoestbaar (Indestructible) to our expo. It could be seen as a metaphor for the West Flemish people, who often consider themselves perseverant and destructible — but are we, really?