Thistle

A monument to the thistle also says something about migration. Indeed, the thistle is a pioneering plant: one of the first species to grow in fallow ground, just like the birch and the poppy.

For this bronze sculpture, Coolen started from a real thistle, whose shape she manipulated and reinforced. The result is whimsical in both form and color.

The “Thistle” looks like a plant, but it is a man-made object and therefore not alive. The sculpture is so realistic that it blends into its surroundings, but at the same time the work is self-contained, unconnected to the ecosystem around it. The choice of a thistle reinforces this isolated character: this powerful plant has an excellent defense mechanism.

In her sculptures and drawings, Belgian contemporary artist Caroline Coolen attempts to come to terms with reality. References to plants, animals, folk art, and the dichotomy between culture and nature are characteristic of her work. Mongrels, scapegoats, and underdogs in particular populate her world. With varied textures and different materials, she emphasizes the tactile in her work.