Joie de Vivre
A unique photo exhibition in support of Stefanie’s Rozen Fonds

Mark March 14, 15, and 16 in your calendar for the unique photo exhibition Joie de Vivre at the Universiteitshal of Leuven.

Leuven Universiteitsfonds and Schönfeld Gallery are jointly organising this special photo exhibition, 15 years after Stefanie Bogaert's death, to fulfill her wish.

Stefanie was 19 years old when she lost the battle against an extremely rare form of lymphoma in 2010.
When she learned that she could no longer be cured, she took the initiative herself to support Professor Daan Dierickx in his research on rare lymphomas. For her funeral, she asked for donations for this research instead of flowers. From this, Stefanie’s Rozen fonds was created, allowing two PhD students at UZ Leuven to work on solutions that offer better chances of recovery to patients worldwide.

To support the fund, thirteen photographers share their work in various stands, creating the atmosphere of a unique art fair.
All proceeds from the exhibition go entirely to Stefanie’s Rose Fund.

On Friday, 14/03, you can enjoy the festive opening, featuring a performance by Marjolein Acke and Matthias Van Cutsem on classical guitar.

Featured Photographers

Muriel Verbist (°1971) is a photographer who often portrays people in vulnerable situations. She searches for moments of hope. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and found herself in an uncertain period, she turned the camera on herself and the small world around her. This process gave her meaning and comfort. The result is Recovery, a book with 32 poignant self-portraits and a series of images exploring the themes of beauty and femininity.

Klaartje Lambrechts (°1976) creates intriguing photographic portraits that reveal both the vulnerability and strength of her subjects. With an eye for subtle emotions and timeless beauty, she creates images that continue to resonate. Her work balances between subdued aesthetics and powerful visual storytelling.

Liza François (°1995) is known for her sincere visual language, allowing space for her subjects' dignity. In her project, Sunflowers for Spring, she intertwines images of sunflowers and intimate portraits of her younger sister with memories of losing her father in 2014. The work offers a moving visual reflection on grief, growth, and the lasting power of beauty and love.

Dimitri Karakatsanis is a cinematographer and director, known for films such as Small Gods (2007) and Left Bank (2008). His cinematography is characterised by a strong visual style and a keen eye for detail, enhancing the atmosphere and depth of the stories he tells. His ability to visually convey emotions and narratives makes him a remarkable and respected professional in the film industry.

Eddie Bonesire(°1956) focuses on capturing raw, authentic moments and emotions, often with a dark, atmospheric style. His work exudes a sense of intimacy and depth, approaching his subjects in a personal and powerful way. Through his use of light and shadow, he creates images that are both impressive and emotionally resonant.

Laurence Giuliana Bonesire (° 1986) has followed in the footsteps of her father, Eddie Bonesire, with a passionate and personal approach to photography. Her style is characterised by an experimental approach, playing with natural elements and light to create unique images.

Karel Fonteyne (°1950) gained international recognition in the 1980s and 1990s with his groundbreaking fashion photography. His work is distinguished by a personal, experimental style, going beyond traditional fashion photography by incorporating symbolism, natural elements, composition, and intimacy. After his fashion career, he returned to artistic photography, using photography like a writer uses words—to create unique, often mysterious worlds.

Marius Burgelman (°1997) is a photographer and photojournalist specializing in documentary and journalistic photography. His work focuses on capturing diverse cultures and human experiences, with a particular emphasis on Asian societies, as seen in his series Crossing Borders. He has also undertaken assignments for various organizations and events, including Couleur Café Festival.

Morgane Gielen (°1994) is a lifestyle and fashion photographer and a Canon ambassador committed to inclusivity and diversity in the fashion industry. She founded the No Babes Agency and is the creator of No Babes VZW, giving a voice to marginalized groups. Additionally, she hosted her own program #nofilter on Iedereen Beroemd and has appeared in several media channels and TV programs.

Nicolas Karakatsanis (°1977) is a cinematographer and photographer known for his atmospheric and stylised imagery with a raw, melancholic aesthetic. His work often plays with light, shadow, and texture to create a dreamy yet intense atmosphere. He works in both film and photography and has collaborated on various international projects.

Johan Van Cutsem (°1965) specialises in travel photography, focusing on untouched nature and strong compositions without digital post-processing. His work, a tender ode to the purity of rare natural areas, is available in limited editions. He also organises photo trips and courses to inspire others with his passion for authentic visual art.

Tine Delbare (°1968) graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp (DKO Photography). She was selected by Breedbeeld for the Opus One ‘23 exhibition, an annual expo showcasing the best graduation projects. In her work, Delbare combines old travel photos with new images, often capturing motion and speed. Her photos were also exhibited in the group show “Selfies Part II” at Schönfeld Gallery, where she shared her vision on self-portraits.

Albert Pepermans (°1947) started the experimental photo series “Journal Brut” in 2013, based on snapshots of everyday and travel impressions, always printed in black and white on plexiglass with canvas and acrylic paint as a background. Through hand-painted monochrome tones and energetic accents, the images gain a raw yet controlled appearance, with handwritten titles referencing photo captions from magazines. These spontaneous and bold images form a raw visual diary.

Friday, 14.03 - 19:00
Festive opening with a performance by Marjolein Acke and Matthias Van Cutsem

Saturday, 15.03 & Sunday, 16.03
Free entry between 11:00 - 18:00

Jubileumzaal -  Naamsestraat 22 - 3000 Leuven