xavier delory depicts vibrant wall drawings in a state of ruin with 'after sol lewitt'

brussels-based artist xavier delory offers a reinterpretation of the richly colored, fresco-like wall drawings of sol lewitt. the photography series entitled, ‘after sol lewitt,’ introduces the vibrant conceptual work of the american artist with the romantic expressionism of abandoned places. this dichotomy expresses delory’s tendency toward the urbex (urban exploration) style. the series offers a depiction of an abandoned house whose deteriorating walls reveal the remains of sol lewitt’s wall drawings. the temporality of lewitt’s art is evoked by the dilapidation of the architecture.

all images by xavier delory

xavier delory describes ‘urbex’ as ‘an activity consisting of the visiting and photographing of abandoned places not usually permitted, thus enabling a voyage through time to a bygone era.’ known for his depiction of fictional ruins, delory emphasises the contemporary nature of the ruin typology as being no longer restricted to such ‘noble’ structures as ancient palaces and monuments. the ruin might now be defined by abandoned industrial complexes or buildings as modest as a shop or house. with his latest series, the photographer continues to investigate the dialogue between architecture, ruin, and painting.