The practice of Belgian visual artist Alexandra Leyre Mein is a profound exploration of the intersection between time, matter, and the human form. Her sculptures, described as “observers of our time,” capture a fleeting presence before it fades, transforming raw matter into a living, moving force. Working with plaster, Alexandra engages in an instinctive, physical “dance” with her medium. This self-taught process results in life-sized presences that appear to breathe, creating contemporary vanities that find nobility in the fragile attempt to resist the passage of time.
Beyond sculpture, Alexandra’s multidisciplinary approach encompasses painting, video, and installation. In her paintings, she notably explores the neck—the body’s most vulnerable point where anxiety and silent emotions reside. Using a meditative “glacis” technique to trap light, she captures an unsettling yet magical presence that exists just out of reach. From the skeletal strength of her Mountain Particles to the visceral vulnerability of her Hals series, her work doesn’t hide the cracks or the negatives; instead, it invites us to rediscover the mystery of the other and the “invisible” souls of our cities.
