Au Borinage

2024

The Borinage, South-West of Mons in Belgium, was one of the most inspiring regions that Karin Borghouts visited as part of her project Vincent Was Here. In 2023 she decided to devote a whole photo project to it. This was partly due to a request from Centre culturel Colfontaine. Vincent van Gogh spent two years in the Borinage. First he worked as a pastor, then he decided here to become an artist.
The Borinage, is a region with an eventful mining past. The many slagheaps are still visible in the landscape. Karin was attracted by the miners' houses in the hilly lanes, by the ruins of the mines, by the now green terrils, but also and above all by the people. That is why she decided to photograph people from the Borinage in special places. Since September 2023, Karin has been staying at regular intervals as an artist in residence at the Van Gogh House in Petit-Wasmes.

The exhibition was open from 22 June to 13 October 2025 in the two Van Gogh houses of the Borinage, la Maison Van Gogh in Petit-Wasmes and la Maison Van Gogh in Cuesmes (pronounced Wam and Kwèm). A large photo is on permanent display at the Marcasse mine ruins.
30 photographs in various formats were exhibited inside and outside the two Van Gogh houses. Karin also made 4 videos in collaboration with her assistants Dieter Demey, Wouter Bollaerts and her husband/composer Dirk Veulemans.

With the support of cc Colfontaine, Ville de Mons, Fondation Mons 2025 and Milo-Profi photo lab.

Order the publication AU BORINAGE

June 22 > October 13, 2024
Opening on Saturday 22 June 202

Maison Van Gogh Cuesmes
Maison Van Gogh Petit-Wasmes
Charbonnage de Marcasse

Lees
Artikel door Patrick Auwelaert in The Art Coach online - 3 july 2024

Lisez
LM Magazine Art&Culture Hauts-de-France / Belgique, juin 2024, par Julien Damien (français)