Portrait of an M-bassador

First, a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Then, a single exhibition. This is Iffy Tillieu’s traditional routine whenever she visits M. She doesn’t go there to meet her heroes, but rather to see their work.

M is a peaceful place

Iffy Tillieu

M-bassador

“I no longer recall when I visited M for the first time, or what the occasion was. We came here once on a secondary school trip, but that was still in the old Vander Kelen-Mertens museum, before the new building had been constructed. But in the meantime, I have been a very faithful visitor for the past fifteen years or so. I usually pop in once or twice a month.”

“I’ve always been interested in art. I hold a Master’s degree in visual arts and I create my own paintings, videos and collages. I am a companion to a 90-year-old lady, helping her with cooking, shopping and keeping her company. I also live in her house. She was formerly a gynaecologist, and I’m allowed to use her practice as a studio. From time to time, she drops by to see what I’m working on, which I really enjoy.’

Zaalzicht Peter Morrens, 2024, M Leuven, foto: © Marie Dreezen voor M Leuven

Very catchy

“I’m primarily interested in contemporary art. I went to see the Leen Voet exhibition three times, and I also thought Peter Morrens was great. Very catchy and witty, but I don’t like discussing it very much. Moreover, I think asking artists to explain their work is unfair. The artwork speaks for itself; the artist is no longer necessary. The work exists. It must speak for itself.”

“Often, getting to know your heroes can be disappointing. I went through a phase with writers: I was so impressed by certain books that I was desperate to meet their authors, but it usually proved to be a disappointment. Ultimately, they are just people like anyone else.”

Pure experience

“When I visit M, I first head to Barbóék for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Then I visit one exhibition, for an hour or an hour and a half. I try to make it a pure experience, without overwhelming myself. If I see too much and get overstimulated, then I find it off-putting. I am not a glutton when it comes to exhibitions.”

“The main reason I became an M-bassador was for access to events that are otherwise not available: previews of exhibitions, studio visits, etc. You also get to meet interesting people in the M-bassador’s group. Recently, I had an enlightening conversation on the train during our return trip from a visit to the Z33 art museum in Hasselt. I really enjoy participating in these types of trips. Provided it’s not too far, because I find it difficult to concentrate on the same thing for too long. Maybe it’s because of my laser focus on my own work.”

“That’s also one of the reasons why I like coming to the museum so much. It’s a peaceful and quiet place. A place where you can get away from everything for a while. I think that’s the case for a lot of people.”