De Drie Burgervaders


De Drie Burgervaders (2013) by Dirk Denoyelle

About the artwork

The social housing project Zebrastraat was built in the beginning of the 20th century (1904) as an answer to the needs of the workers. The site in the Zebrastraat, popularly called 'De Cirk', quickly acquired a sociological and political image. Workers came to live in high-rise housing close to the city center. On the oval courtyard of 'De Cirk', Edward Anseele, the top man of social emancipation, was warming up with his slogans, militants for the 1st of May procession. This place was also available for meetings. Before and after WW I, people regularly spoke about 'the beguinage of the socialists'. In this context, the three latest socialist mayors receive their tributes.

The Ghent triad is built out of Lego blocks, with from left to right, Gilbert Temmerman (Ledeberg, February 25, 1928 - Oudenaarde, January 19, 2012), Frank Beke (Ghent, August 5, 1946), and Daniël Termont (Ghent, May 19, 1953). Each of them has played an important social role, in addition to a role in the field of culture in their city of Ghent.

Frank Beke tells about Gilbert Temmerman: "He has done a lot for our city, including in the field of culture. He was responsible for the completion of Minard, the Theater at St. Bavo's Square, the Opera and the concert hall of the Bijloke. The entire urban renewal of our city was started under his leadership. Gilbert had the first anti-parking bollards placed in Ghent, which real residents of Ghent still call 'Gilberkes' today". Frank Beke has continued the project of urban renewal. According to the university, he gave, during his political career, an extra dimension to the city of Ghent, which also benefited the Ghent University, which awarded him on that ground an institutional honorary doctorate. Daniël Termont in turn manages to give

About the artist

image Dirk Denoyelle, Lives and works in Roeselare - www.dirkdenoyelle.com

1987: microelectronic civil engineer, KU Leuven

Dirk Denoyelle is best known as a comedian in Flanders. He has been a comedy artist since 1991 and has been a regular guest on national radio and television, but is also active in companies and at conferences. He worked for 2 years at the renowned IMEC, center for research into microelectronics. After his military service, he worked as a freelance journalist for a number of years. Despite his mathematical background, he is passionate about language. He brings sketches in French, German, Spanish and Danish and continues to learn new languages. Yet his mathematical education is also an asset because he can count himself as one of only 13 certified lego builders in the world.