From private to public. Collection Thomas Neirynck, from sentiment to lyrical expression

'From private to public' casts a glance at a collector's mania that had its origin and inspiration immediately after the end of the Second World War. Thomas Neirynck was a child of his time, experiencing this war as a young twenty-something, which is reflected in his choice of works of art. He was looking for innovation, for artists who put freedom of expression first and who wanted to leave the intangible of the war years behind them. In that sense, he was an amateur in the true sense of the word, driven by passion, sentiment and fascination for the artist. Large and dignified works by Antoine Mortier, colourful canvases by Maurice Wyckaert, allegorical paintings by Fred Bervoets, exuberant works by Philippe Vandenberg and poetic works by Jo Delahaut. But also works of art by less well-known artists, such as Tal Coat, Yvan Theys, André Lanskoy, Jacques Doucet and Lionel Vinche. A large part of the collection comes from the collector's home. The FeliXart Museum places a selection from the collection in its time and assesses it according to the values it holds today. By exhibiting the works of art that originally came from a private collection in a museum space, the perception shifts and they gain grandeur.