After three years, Museum Helmond once again presents a large selection of works from the Roef-Meelker collection. This art collection was donated to the municipality of Helmond in 1999 by the late Mr. Pieter Roef Sr. The collection features paintings and sculptures by world-famous artists like Karel Appel, Asger Jorn, André Masson, Nicolaes de Staël and Barbara Hepworth. The most important art movements represented in the Roef-Meelker collection are Ecole de Paris (School of Paris) and Cobra, both dating from the mid-twentieth century.

Ecole de Paris

The title ‘Lyrical abstraction’ primarily refers to the works of the Ecole de Paris and to Bert Loerakker. The French and émigré artists who worked in Paris and who were part of the Ecole de Paris movement created lyrical and colourful canvases, they used a free-form visual language and leaned towards abstraction; an abstraction that was always based on visible nature. In addition, the abstract works of the Cobra artists (Corneille, Constant, Lucebert and others) were inspired by the human figure, animals and landscapes.

Bert Loerakker

Museum Helmond also presents a selection of paintings by Bert Loerakker (Breda 1948). It is a small tribute to this Helmond-based artist, who turned 70 this year. Although Loerakker’s paintings can be highly abstract, his work is inspired by visible reality, and nature in particular. We see a ‘Peelven’ (a pool in a bogland area), for example, or a tree in bloom or an ‘ordinary’ cloudy sky. His love of the landscape is often depicted on multiple canvases.
In the museum shop visitors can buy a luxurious publication with an overview of his work. Museum Helmond recently added a new painting by Bert Loerakker to the collection.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an educational program aimed at elementary schools.