Ever wondered how art can transform the mundane? Here stands La Voie lactée. It is also known as De melkweg Mural. This mural brings color to a rather ordinary space.
La Voie lactée is found on Rue Sallaert in Brussels. It was unveiled on December 18, 2019. It was one of six artworks added to Brussels’ art scene that day. Three were added to the Comic Book Route. The other three joined the Street Art trail.
Brussels finished its North-South railway link in 1952 after 40 years. Tunnels beneath the tracks connect the Marolles and Anneessens areas. These tunnels were dark and uninviting. To fix this, the Sustainable District Contract Jonction launched a contest in late 2018. The aim was to find artists who could brighten these tunnels with color.
La Voie lactée was one of three chosen for the Comic Book Route. Mathilde Van Gheluwe designed the mural. It depicts the Milky Way and constellations. The tunnel’s arched shape mirrors the sky.
Van Gheluwe explains her inspiration. The tunnel’s arch reminded her of old churches. Also Grand Central Station in New York came to her mind. Both display galaxies and constellations. She created her own design. It used a map of the area. She linked street crossings and their names.
Mathilde Van Gheluwe is a Brussels-based artist. As a child, she loved whales. She especially enjoyed drawing them.
Her first album is titled Pendant que le loup n’y est pas. It was released in 2016. It explores her childhood memories. It tells her understanding when Belgium discovered Marc Dutroux’s crimes in 1996. Her second album is Funky Town. It came out in 2019. It is about a girl navigating a chaotic city every day. She specializes in children’s albums. Her stories blend dreams, imagination, folklore, and traditions.
Some of these elements appear in La Voie lactée. The mural features many fantastic animals. There are also objects and planets.
Mathilde Van Gheluwe born in 1989, created this original artwork. La Voie lactée is more than just a painting. It is a journey through Mathilde Van Gheluwe’s imagination. Take a moment to appreciate how art can transform. See how it brings light and wonder to unexpected places.