Elen-Braga-Photo-by-Guy-Kokken
Elen Braga’s monumental hand-tufted tapestry Elen ou Hubris (2020) was first installed for just one day on Brussels’ Triumphal Arch in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, temporarily replacing the Belgian flag on International Women’s Day. With this bold gesture, the artist questioned the role of monuments, excessive pride, and national representation within a complex political and colonial context. The work evokes the notion of hubris, linking it to both biblical and mythological narratives such as Nebuchadnezzar’s colossal statue and Arachne’s fateful weaving contest with Athena. Depicting herself in a blue catsuit lifting an Olympic weight plate, Braga draws on figures like Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky, and Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The creation of the work itself was an act of...
Elen Braga’s monumental hand-tufted tapestry Elen ou Hubris (2020) was first installed for just one day on Brussels’ Triumphal Arch in the Parc du Cinquantenaire, temporarily replacing the Belgian flag on International Women’s Day. With this bold gesture, the artist questioned the role of monuments, excessive pride, and national representation within a complex political and colonial context. The work evokes the notion of hubris, linking it to both biblical and mythological narratives such as Nebuchadnezzar’s colossal statue and Arachne’s fateful weaving contest with Athena. Depicting herself in a blue catsuit lifting an Olympic weight plate, Braga draws on figures like Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky, and Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. The creation of the work itself was an act of endurance, taking 364 days and 2,184 hours to complete, using 200 kilograms of acrylic wool. Now on view in the Project Space of the Vanhaerents Art Collection, Elen ou Hubris invites visitors to reconsider the meanings of monumentality, power, and self-projection in today’s urban landscapes. The artworks featured in the exhibition Viewing Depot #3 – delve into themes of oppression, the deprivation of freedom, and the erosion of individuality. Each artist brings a unique perspective to these subjects.