Magali Reus - Tales and Reals

Her sculptures refer to diverse contexts—art historical, aesthetic, social, geographical, and political—but always remain sensitive to the seductive qualities of surface and texture. Reus herself refers to her works as ‘unreal things’, emphasising their imaginative and unexpected character. 

Originally from Scheveningen, near the North Sea, Reus draws inspiration for this exhibition from the coastal landscape of her youth—a landscape that also forms the backdrop to our museum. She has created a new series of sculptures especially for this exhibition, firmly anchored in this environment. Eye-catchers include wall sculptures inspired by antique vases and earring accessories, intended to seduce and captivate the viewer both literally and figuratively.

Merlin series

In addition, important works from Reus' acclaimed Merlin series, which are based in form on enlarged fish tins, are on display on loan from leading Dutch and Belgian collections. Together, they form a fascinating dialogue between her earlier and more recent explorations.

Conceptually rooted in the exploration of silhouettes and visual contours, the works examine themes such as attraction and deception—seducing to lure, mislead or intrigue. They are complemented by site-specific installations and architectural interventions, specially designed by Reus and inspired by the museum's location. This connection to the site is intended to evoke a sense of recognition and invite visitors into a layered dialogue between the works, the location, and their shared references. 

Curator: Louise Bjeldbak Henriksen