We have to say goodbye to our dear and special colleague
On May 6, 2018 Chris De Lauwer, curator and keeper of the Asia collection in the MAS, passed away. Chris was 62.
Chris was born in Kanpur (India) and lived in India until she was 11 years old. She later studied Indology at Ghent University and specialized in Jainism, the religion of the Indian diamond dealers in Antwerp. After a career at the Department of Languages and Cultures of South Asia at Ghent University, Chris became head of education in the former Ethnographic Museum of Antwerp and developed new practices of connecting with the culturally diverse population of Antwerp. In 2000 Chris realized, together with Jan Van Alphen, one of the first European exhibitions on Jainism: Steps to Liberation. 2500 years of Jain Art and Religion.
In the MAS, Chris became keeper of the Asia collection and curator of exhibitions on cultural diversity and philosophy: the permanent exhibition Life and Death. On men and gods (2011-), the exhibitions Sacred Places. Judaism, Christianity, Islam (2014-2015), Istanbul - Antwerp. Port Cities Talk (2015-2016) and Buddha & Mind (2016-2017). In addition, as a keeper, she made important contributions to exhibitions in the MAS and elsewhere. Chris was also active as teacher, guide and speaker on Indian religions, amongst others at the Centre Pieter Gillis (University of Antwerp) and for the Jain Cultural Centre, in the Jain temple in Antwerp.
Chris uniquely combined knowledge, empathy and collaboration in her work for the Ethnographic Museum and the MAS. She was appreciated for her expertise and her quiet diplomacy, with which she managed to connect with very different people. She developed many bonds with the religous communities in Antwerp. Also in the MAS she acted as a bridge builder and, with her positive vision, contributed strongly to the atmosphere and realizations of the museum.
She will be greatly missed inside and outside the MAS.
