Art collector and founder of Kasteel Wijlre and the Hedge House has passed.
In 1981, Mr and Mrs Eyck acquired Wijlre Castle, which had fallen into disrepair. They restored the historic castle, the coach house and the castle garden. On the basis of their special philosophy of life, they connected their contemporary art collection with the surrounding nature and heritage. “A cultural oasis” is what Jo Eyck called the country house.
In 2001 the Hedge House was constructed, to a design by architect Wiel Arets. The art pavilion houses an orchid greenhouse, an orangery, a chicken coop and an exhibition space.
Jo and Marlies Eyck have organized inspiring and internationally acclaimed exhibitions over the years. In 2012, the operation of the buitenplaats and the programming of exhibitions, educational activities and cultural projects was transferred to the Buitenplaats Kasteel Wijlre Foundation. In September 2017, the Eyck couple donated the estate to the Elisabeth Strouven Fund. The fund has since taken care of the maintenance and restoration. Together, the foundation and the fund continue the life’s work of the couple.
November 2021