In Flanders, beguinages were established from the 13th century onwards for women who wanted to lead a devout life without taking a monastic vow. From 1940 on, the beguine movement declined sharply and in Flanders it has completely died down since. Glass artist Myriam Thomas used some archive daily life photos from beguines in Ghent around 1920 as starting material to evoke a now silenced world in a small 3D installation of viewing boxes.

Myriam Thomas received her glass art training at the Institute for Arts and Crafts IKA in Mechelen (B) where she graduated in 2020 with an installation that immediately garnered international selections. She chooses and adapts her techniques depending on the atmosphere she wants to evoke, sometimes relying on her scientifical background. Now she works as an independent glass artist in her studio in Belgium.

Works on display:
Title of works: Between heaven and earth (1. The bride 2.The bleaching meadow 3. The sewing room 4. The convent corridor 5. A room for her own 6. The daily bread 7. The evening service 8. The last journey).
Technique and materials: Kiln fired processed photographic decals, kiln fired painting, cold working.
Float glass panels 4 mm, viewing boxes in wood.
Dimensions: 19,3 cm x 17,5 cm x 11,4 cm (each viewing box)