News - upcoming events
Fêtes de la Saint Martin - Exposition
Event: November 8, 2026 - November 29, 2026 / 13h - 18h
Tourinnes-la-Grosse, Chemin Goffin 21 (nr 38)
Together with my brother, photographer Bert Daenen, I am taking part in the Fêtes de la Saint Martin for the second time. Every Saturday and Sunday, from 8 to 29 November, between 1 and 6 pm, we will each present a selection of recent work at Chemin Goffin 21, Tourinnes-la-Grosse.
You can expect to see work from my Moonversations series, as well as recent work exploring ecological loss.
(Mixed media, paintings, installation, video)
A number of events will also take place here during the exhibition. You can find more information below.
Find out more about the oldest and largest artists’ trail in Wallonia: https://tourinnes.be/
Fêtes de la Saint Martin - Corpoèmes
Event: November 14, 15, 21, 22, 2026 / 13h - 18u
Tourinnes-la-Grosse, Chemin Goffin 21 (Nr 38)
Dancing is not just something you do; it is also something that can happen to you.
A Corpoème is an experience. If you dare to surrender to it, your curiosity will lead you into a poetic experience.
A moment to let yourself be guided, to feel the resonance of words, and to let the beauty of your movements dance.
Ongoing performance
MANYA
Fêtes de la Saint Martin - Artist Talk
Event: November 21, 2026 / 19h - 21u
Tourinnes-la-Grosse, Chemin Goffin 21 (Nr 38)
Bert and Lies Daenen are not only both artists, but also brother and sister — so they share more than a passion for art.
During this Artist Talk, they will explore the connections between their lives and their work. They will reflect on personal experiences and engagement, on ways of seeing and of being in the world, and, above all, on how these have influenced their artistic practices.
The talk will be in English.
To reserve a place, please email: lies.daenen@telenet.be
Arteles - Way Beyond
Event: November 28 & 29, 2026 / 15h - 16h
Brussels - Leuven
On 28 and 29 November, we are organising the first Day of Climate Grief.
We want to transform this one-hour gathering into a powerful artistic experience, bringing together words, music and images to commemorate both human and more-than-human victims.
Save the dates. More information to follow.
Folded Memory
Event: December 6, 2026 - February 14, 2026 / Tuesday - Sunday 11h - 17h; Thursday - 19h
Leuven, Kadoc
Folded Memory explores how Leuven can make space for loss, farewell and consolation.
From 6 December 2026 to 14 February 2027, curator Karen Wuytens brings together a unique mix of historical heritage and contemporary art in the chapel of KADOC and at Atelier Re-Né in Leuven, around one central question: How can textiles offer consolation?
From Belgian artists such as Rinus Van de Velde, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Dirk Braeckman and Laura De Coninck to international names such as Teresa Margolles and Louise Bourgeois, more than 50 artists explore the many ways in which textiles can offer comfort and solace. The exhibition also pays attention to the many mourning traditions and cultures that call Leuven home.
Lies Daenen’s contribution explores not only ecological grief, but also how nature can help us carry our sorrow.
Her video installation New you see me can only be viewed on Thursday evenings, after sunset (approximately 5–7 pm).
Find out more: https://www.lefleuven.be/en/projects/folded-memory
Art for Climate
Event: December 16, 2026 - 16h
Museum M - Leuven
On 16 December, Leuven 2030 is organising the Art for Climate art auction at Museum M in Leuven. The proceeds will go to the Leuven Climate Fund, which helps social initiatives in Leuven become more sustainable.
An impressive group of artists is contributing to this wonderful initiative.
You’ll also find this work of mine, from my Soulscapes series, among the pieces on offer.
Find out more: https://www.leuven2030.be/netwerk-2030/art-for-climate-kunstveiling
Recent events
TRES - Touch Grass / El Satah
Event: September 16 & October 10, 2026
Boer en Compagnie Leuven / Curator: KNEPH
The installation El Satah refers to a rooftop terrace in a refugee camp in Lebanon, where Razan grew up after her family fled Palestine.
The rooftop terrace holds beautiful memories. It was a safe place where Razan shared precious moments with her family: drinking tea together, talking, laughing, listening to music… Overlooking the mountains she loves, the lakes and, in the distance, the sea.
Now war is raging. Destruction is striking both of her homelands. The rooftop terrace is gone. And not only the rooftop terrace…
The song Reyah El Hayah — the winds of life — speaks of a past that will never return, and of being left behind alone as everyone else moves on.
And yet, there is always hope. Even in Palestine and Lebanon, the flowers continue to bloom. Here in Belgium, too, Razan is blossoming in her own way, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
Razan and Lies
Bioregionalism - connecting waters
Event: October 10, 2026
Abdij van Park Leuven
As part of Leuven Regenerates, we created a collective ritual installation together with around thirty participants in Warande Park, behind Park Abbey. Built from natural materials gathered on site and arranged in a spiral around a central bowl of water, the spiral is an ancient symbol of regeneration, transformation and connection. Water from the local Molenbeek stream was mixed with water from other regions. This moment of integration marked the culmination of a three-day conference on bioregionalism.
Together with Chris Hoerée and Valerie Carrette.
In the presence of Joe Brewer and many others
Shroud for an Elm Tree
Event: June 3, 2026 - June 3, 2026
Kruidtuin Leuven
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At the end of April, an elm tree fell during a storm in Leuven Botanical Garden. A few days later, at the initiative of the City of Leuven and together with a diverse group of participants, I had the opportunity to create a tree shroud from its trunk.
Using linen, graphite and natural materials, we made a textile imprint of the tree. In this way, a tangible trace of its presence is preserved: a reminder of the tree and of what it meant to the city.
Creating a tree shroud is about more than capturing a form. It is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our relationship with trees, on what they mean to us, and on the sense of loss that comes with their disappearance.
This tree shroud is part of the Rising Trees project. A tree shroud does not attempt to hold on to the tree. Instead, it invites us to pay attention to what was there, to the bond we shared with the tree, and to what continues to live on in our memory.
The tree shroud has since found a place in the Orangery of Leuven Botanical Garden.
Arteles - Way Beyond
Event: april 3, 2026 - may 1, 2026
Hämeenkyro - Finland
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During the month of April, I will be taking part in the Way Beyond artist residency in Finland.
Way Beyond is a transdisciplinary programme that brings together artists, philosophers, scientists and mystics to explore and push the boundaries of reality, perception and experience.
I will also be continuing my visual research into the moon, in relation to water and nature.
You can follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lies.daenen/
Art for Caritas
Event: May 7, 2026 - from 18h
Antonio Nardone - Brussels
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Artists are selling their work to raise funds for Caritas International
All over the world, Caritas International supports people affected by crises.
Just like humanitarian aid, art brings people together, offers strength and gives hope.
Art for Caritas brings these two worlds together.
For more information and to register: https://www.caritasinternational.be/nl/campaigns/art-for-caritas-meer/
The Intersection of Art and Spiritual Practice
An intimate talk in a home setting
Event: Tue, Jun 2, 2026, 19:00 - 22:00 PM - Dutch spoken
La Verna - De Pinte
During this intimate gathering, or Artist Talk, Lies will explore, at the invitation of La Verna, the relationship between her artistic practice and her experience of rituals, Reiki, mysticism and shamanic work.
La Verna is a community dedicated to awareness, inspiration and connection, inviting people to live from a place of connection with their heart.
Artefact 2026: Grind grind grind, release. An exhibition as a massage.
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Exposition: Thu, Feb 12, 9:00 AM - Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 6:00 PM
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Artist Talk: Wed, Feb 25, 7:00 PM (Dutch)
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Workshop Rising Trees: Sat, Feb 28, 2:00 PM
STUK Huis voor Dans, Beeld en Geluid, Leuven - Belgium
The 2026 edition of Artefact departs from the question: how can an exhibition function as a massage? Bringing together the work of more than 20 national and international visual artists, the exhibition explores concepts such as the desiring body, longing and belonging. And just like a good massage, this exhibition seeks out the tension points. Not to dance around it, but to gently yet firmly acknowledge their existence, and work through it. What does it mean to long for? What does it mean to belong; to feel at home in your body, a community, a (self-chosen) family, a landscape? How do highly personal questions touch the political and social? What needs to be said? Where is the tension? What can offer release?
An open-hearted exhibition that welcomes you, challenges you, and invites you to find the release to your grind: may you wake up refreshed!
The Boomwaden (see Rising Trees), which I have created over the past years together with different groups of people, are part of this exhibition. Coming together around a tree, stroking its bark, saying farewell, in the silence of the forest — each time it creates a special sense of connection. With one another, and with nature.
About the Lecture / Artist Talk
About the Workshop Rising Trees
We all belong to our mother, Earth.
Resilience & Voice.
Women Telling Stories. -
international women's day 2026
Exposition: Sat, Mar 07 - Sun, Mar 22, 2026
Event: Sun, Mar 08, 2026 - Dutch spoken
Stadsschouwburg Genk, Foyer (during opening hours)
Resilience & Voice.
Women Telling Stories.
This is what the event organized by Mabel Theunissen on March 8 is about. For a full day, she will, like a Limburgian Oprah Winfrey, engage in conversations with women, offering opportunities to meet and connect. I have been invited to represent the voice of the artist — and will also be present as a woman, as a (grand)mother, as a citizen, as an inhabitant of the Earth…
In connection with this event, a solo exhibition of my work will be held from March 7 to 22, featuring a broad overview of creations from different periods, in the Foyer of the Stadsschouwburg Genk, Stadsplein 1.
The exhibition can be visited during the city hall’s opening hours.