No label fits at MErode. That is why they call it an open space: open to colouring outside the lines, reaching your own interpretation and thinking outside the box. Dialogue and difference of opinion are what make the world an interesting place.

MErode is not a foundation, a museum, or a gallery. It began as a hobby that grew out of hand. At first it was not open to the public, until friends started asking if they could visit the collection.

Today, MErode is a work in progress, home to a variety of spaces offering multiple possibilities. Visiting requires an open mind to take in the bigger picture. MErode is the work of collector Patric Tuytens, shaped much like an artist would shape his own creation.

The collection is personal, intuitive, and often humorous. It brings together young talents and established names, Belgian and international alike. Every work has been chosen and purchased by Patric, not for investment value but for the way it enriches life through surprise, wonder, and discovery.

MErode embraces a wide spectrum of contemporary artists. Talented youngsters enter into dialogue with established figures, creating encounters that cannot be neatly categorised. Patric follows his own instinctive path, without external advisors, always searching for what is unknown, surprising, and astonishing. For him, the value of a work is never financial, but emotional and experiential. Each piece adds meaning and energy to daily life, for him and for others.

A visit to MErode feels highly personal. The collection reflects Patric’s taste, but also carries countless stories about the works, the certificates, the editions, the preservation, and the encounters with artists. Added to this is Marie’s critical eye on her father’s choices. These anecdotes make a tour of MErode unlike any museum or gallery visit, since it is hosted by Marie or Patric themselves.

At MErode you are not a passive spectator. By looking, listening, and feeling, you develop your own opinion and taste. You don’t have to like every work, an open mind is enough. The pieces speak visually for themselves, often with humour and a light-hearted energy. Together, they tell the story of Patric, a collector who doesn’t take himself too seriously and believes things need not always be solemn.

When you leave MErode you feel inspired, you have learned something, and you have encountered open, creative people through the works, the stories, or fellow visitors.

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