2023 - 2024, Pietra Dura (stone-inlay), 24 cm x 15 cm x 1 cm.

In this pietra dura mosaic, the post-industrial landscape takes center stage, serving as a focal point in Daels’ exploration of the Anthropocene—the current geological epoch marked by rapid climate and atmospheric changes caused by human activity.

The mosaic portrays a scene in Brumadinho, Brazil, where a dam collapse at Vale’s iron mine led to a catastrophic ecological disaster. The collapse, occurring in January 2019, unleashed a tsunami of toxic mine waste, claiming 272 lives and devastating the surrounding environment.

The meticulous craftsmanship and opulent aesthetic of Pietra Dura, an ancient Italian technique, starkly contrast with the depicted catastrophe.

This photo shows an exhibition view from «Mine Away» at M Leuven (2024) curated by Laure Vanrijckeghem. Photo’s by We Document Art.

Biography

Lola Prima Donna Daels °1990, Brussel (BE).
Member of Level Five, Brussels.

 

 

Lola Prima Donna Daels (b. 1990 in Jette, BE) is a Brussels based artist. Leaving from found objects, she poses critical inquiries about the ecological and socio-political situation. By reshaping and integrating her relics into new contexts she questions the concept of authenticity in our globalizing society. She has exponentially gravitated towards researching the human impact from an ecological preoccupation. She works site-specifically, both in research scope as well as in execution. 


Daels obtained her master degree in visual arts in 2014 at Luca School of Arts, Brussels. She has been part of several residency programs such as EKWC (NL), Kooshk recidency (IR) and Cité Internationale des Arts (FR). Her work was shown at Bozar (BE), Extracity Kunsthal (BE), Deegar Platform (IR), Art Sonje Center Seoul (KR) and many more.

Her interest in urban complexities led to the collaboration with architect and urbanist Sebastiaan Willemen. 

Upcoming

2026 
 

  • Found, Boekentoren Gent, BE
    Vernissage February 2, 2026
    3 – 27 February 2026
    Group Exhibition & the second part of the trilogy Lost and Found – Caring for What Is (about to disappear).
    The exhibition is curated by Tine Hens, author of Archief van mogelijk verlies (EPO, 2025).

     
  • Solo Exhibition, Salon Blanc Ostend, BE
    Vernissage October 24, 2026
    Solo Exhibition curated by Els Wuyts en Yves Velter.
     
  • Broek Festival (Nona), Groendomein Vrijbroekpark, BE
    Vernissage June 5, 2026
    Group Exhibition curated by Andrea Cinel.

Texts and publications

2025

  • Ruimte Magazine: Bomen & bossen, Meesterproef; Sociaal Wonen "Moederbos" P.67

  • A+ (306), Building for Culture, Sociaal Wonen P. 115.
     

2024


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2014

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