Forgotten Dreams: Contemporary Textile Art Awakens the Abbey
From 17 October 2026 to 11 April 2027, Villers Abbey presents Forgotten Dreams, an exhibition of textile sculptures by the Ukrainian collective Dyvyna Art. Suspended or freestanding, the artworks transform the historic site into dreamlike landscapes, where the softness of fabric meets the strength of ancient stone. A poetic and immersive journey in which forgotten dreams seem to emerge from the Abbey's walls.
An Exhibition Created for the Abbey
With Forgotten Dreams, the artists seek to bring back to life the dreams of those who once lived within these walls. As visitors wander through the Abbey and its hidden corners, they are invited to imagine the people who built the monument and filled it with life.
Large and small textile sculptures inhabit both the open spaces and the site's most secluded areas. Enigmatic silhouettes, suspended spheres, fantastic creatures and abstract forms invite visitors to rediscover meaning and reconnect with human emotion.
An Extraordinary Setting
Villers Abbey was chosen for its remarkable character and rich history. Rather than exhibiting in conventional gallery spaces, Olena Sheptytska prefers to engage with places that possess a strong identity and inspire through their own atmosphere.
After creating installations in theatres, caves, national parks and even a former prison converted into a museum, the artist selected the majestic ruins of Villers Abbey as the setting for her latest creation.
Inspired by the site's monumental architecture and evocative atmosphere, she conceived an immersive exhibition that enters into dialogue with the Abbey's stonework, vast volumes and hidden spaces.
Olena Sheptytska: A Multidisciplinary Artist
Originally from Ukraine and now based in Belgium, visual artist Olena Sheptytska has been creating artistic projects for over seventeen years in theatres, festivals, interior and public spaces, as well as for municipalities.
Her multidisciplinary approach has even led her to incorporate mountaineering techniques to install artworks high above the ground. Her projects have taken her across Europe and beyond, including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and India. She has also created around ten permanent public artworks installed in Ukraine and Iceland.
Dyvyna Art
Based in Antwerp since 2024, Dyvyna Art is an internationally recognised artistic collective. The word Dyvyna means "wonder" in Old Ukrainian.
Founded by Olena Sheptytska together with Mykola Kravets, organiser and marketing manager, the collective aims to bring a sense of wonder into everyday life. Their work spans several artistic disciplines, including textile sculpture, ultraviolet ink painting on fabric and fire performances.
A New Way to Experience the Abbey
By occupying both the Abbey's iconic spaces and its most hidden corners, Forgotten Dreams offers visitors a fresh perspective on one of Belgium's finest heritage sites.
Visitors are invited to slow down, observe, marvel and let their imagination wander.
Practical Information
- Dates: From Saturday, October 17, 2026 to Sunday, April 11, 2027
- Opening hours: Accessible during the opening hours of the abbey
- Exhibition location: Outdoors; the artworks are spread across the site
- Admission: Access to the exhibition is included in the abbey entrance fee
