A tribute to Isabelle de Borchgrave
Published on 22.10.2024
The staff of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium have learned of the death of Isabelle de Borchgrave on 18 October 2024. Her death is that of an artist of conviction who used colour and her passion for fabric to sing the praises of life.
Born in Etterbeek in 1946, she worked as a decorator, costume designer, painter, sculptor and designer. Trained at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, she opened her own fashion and interior design studio in Ixelles. Her career as an artist took a decisive turn in 1994, when she began designing elaborate paper costumes. Recognised for her work all over the world, Belgium has lost an artist of great humanity.
Drawing on her technical mastery of paper and the power of vivid colours, Isabelle de Borchgrave took almost three years to create ‘Miradas de Mujeres (Regards de Femmes)’, an exhibition on show at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium from 14.10.2022 to 12.02.2023. This titanic hand-painted work required over 4 kilometres of paper and cardboard to create the dresses, carpets, furniture, trees and other elements that recreate the world of Frida Kahlo and her house, Casa Azul. In this impressive installation, Isabelle de Borchgrave used colour as a means of conveying the lyricism and joie de vivre of Frida Kahlo, who, in her role as woman and artist, managed to transcend her ordeals.
The staff of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium salute the memory of a sensitive artist and send their heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and the public who loved her’.
