Taking its title from a Nick Cave song of the same name, ‘City of Refuge III’ is the third in a series of exhibitions by Berlinde De Bruyckere thematizing art as a place of sanctuary and shelter, reinforced here by the venue’s spiritual intensity. It is realized in collaboration with the Benedicti Claustra Onlus—the non-profit branch of the Benedictine Community—and its director, Carmelo A. Grasso who, alongside Ory Dessau and Peter Buggenhout, form the curatorial team. 

Oscillating between transcendence and material immanence, ‘City of Refuge III’ is based on three new groups of works by the artist which uniquely respond to the church’s monumental architecture, function, symbolism and history. On view will be an installation of Arcangeli sculptures in the nave and side aisles, a large-scale installation in the church’s Sacristy and sculptural wall-vitrine works in the hallway of the Monastery’s Gallery.