Marlene Almeida & Walter Leblanc
The Walter & Nicole Leblanc Foundation is pleased to announce Terra Agônica, a two-person exhibition bringing together Brazilian artist Marlene Almeida and Belgian artist Walter Leblanc in a striking dialogue on materiality, gesture, and process. The exhibition reveals unexpected affinities between two artists separated by geography and generation, yet united in their commitment to the transformative power of matter.
A distinctive voice in Latin American contemporary art, Marlene Almeida has developed a singular body of work over the past five decades that is deeply informed by ecological and political concerns. Her practice centers on the use of natural pigments—clays, mineral earths, and plant-based binders—collected across Brazil’s diverse landscapes. These materials are not simply aesthetic choices but form the basis of a long-standing commitment to land, territory, and knowledge systems often marginalized by dominant cultural narratives.
Presented alongside these new works are rarely seen early pieces by Walter Leblanc from the 1950s. Best known for his torsions, monochromes, and experiments with light, Leblanc’s early work reveals a lesser-known yet crucial phase in his career—one where the tactile qualities of matter take center stage. These formative explorations
offer new insight into the evolution of his engagement with rhythm, structure, and perception, and open a dialogue with Almeida’s materially grounded, process-driven practice.
Downtown - Institution
1118, Chaussée de gand, 1082 Brussels
Visit the website
Founded in 2006 as a non-profit organisation, the Walter & Nicole Leblanc Foundation aims to study, preserve and promote the artistic legacy of Walter Leblanc.
With its headquarters in Brussels and a collection of over 500 works of art and archival items, the foundation develops research projects and produces publications and exhibitions in collaboration with academics, artists, and institutions around the world.
Inspired by Nicole and Walter’s visionary spirit, the foundation has recently entered a new phase to become a dynamic and networking platform that encourages experimentation and generates an exchange between Leblanc’s work and emerging generations of artists and cultural practitioners.
To this end, a research fellowship programme has been established in 2023, along with a series of talks showcasing key figures from the international cultural scene. Additionally, the foundation organises an annual exhibition featuring contemporary artists in dialogue with Walter Leblanc’s multifaceted oeuvre.
The catalogue raisonné retracing the work of Leblanc is available online and a selection of artworks is displayed periodically at the foundation.