Searching for Utopia

In 2003, the statue came to Nieuwpoort for the art event Beaufort. It was placed on the dike, but soon suffered from wind, sand, salt, and tourists and children who seemed so in love with the statue that they climbed on it. The first restoration was funded by Beaufort. But Nieuwpoort paid for the second restoration and placed the statue in a safer location.

Fabre Square

The statue was placed on top of an underground parking lot, in a square that was immediately redesigned. The dull address Dienstweg Havengeul is now named Fabre Square. This has caused some political commotion. Because perhaps you first have to be dead to get a square named after you. Artist Jan Fabre can only laugh heartily about it.

Golden statue

The statue is covered in gold leaf and therefore literally shines. The choice for gold leaf should also allow for a future restoration of the outer layer. The statue weighs over five tons and is actually a self-portrait. It is Jan Fabre himself who is depicted, seated astride a turtle as if riding a horse. It is an ode to imagination.

Dirk Vervaet