Mark your calendars art aficionados, Art Brussels has announced its 40th edition, taking place from Thursday 25 April to Sunday 28 April 2024. This anniversary edition of one of Europe’s most distinctive and established fairs will be held in Halls 5 and 6 of the Brussels Expo, the Art Deco icon built for the 1935 Brussels International Exposition.
While celebrating its 40th edition and being the second oldest contemporary art fair (Art Cologne started in 1967, one year before Art Brussels), Art Brussels remains one of Europe’s leading contemporary art fairs and is a highlight of the international art spring calendar.
The past few years and thanks to its rich history, vibrant energy, diverse communities, and thriving arts scene, Brussels has become Europe’s epicentre of contemporary art and one the world’s most exciting creative cities.
What to expect of this year’s edition?
Art Brussels is celebrating its 40th edition with an exceptional international programme featuring 176 galleries from 31 countries, offering a unique mix of established artists and emerging talent. The fair attracts leading international players with established or mid-career artists, and one in four galleries is also part of the burgeoning young art scene.
The forthcoming edition promises a celebratory atmosphere with various initiatives, including Prizes for winning gallerists or artists for each section in the fair, an outdoor sculpture project in collaboration with the city and a Memory Lane with quotes from the art community. In addition, numerous receptions will provide engaging opportunities for collectors, exhibiting gallerists and curators to connect and celebrate the rich tapestry of artistic expression.
The fair has announced the continued support of the two main partners, Delen Private Bank and Bank Van Breda. There is also the support of the City of Brussels expressed by Philippe Close, the mayor of the city, which has committed to acquiring an outdoor sculpture for a public space. A jury will decide which artist will be chosen from the new outdoor sculpture project, organised by Art Brussels for the first time at Brussels Expo.
In words of Nele Verhaeren, Managing Director of Art Brussels – “The upcoming edition of Art Brussels marks an important milestone, as we celebrate 40 editions. With a significant 60% of returning galleries and notable newcomers, we are extremely proud of the diverse and influential line-up. The forthcoming edition also promises a celebrative atmosphere with various initiatives, including Prizes for winning gallerists or artists for each section in the fair, an outdoor sculpture project in collaboration with the city, and a nostalgic flashback area where treasured souvenirs will be on display.”
176 galleries will be presented across the fair’s four sections: 119 in PRIME, 37 in DISCOVERY, 11 in REDISCOVERY, 9 INVITED as well as 28 in the fair’s SOLO sub-section.
56 of the participating galleries have a location in Belgium. Of these, the following are returning to the PRIME section, dedicated to mid-career and established artists: Baronian (Brussels, Knokke); De Brock (Knokke); Xavier Hufkens (Brussels); rodolphe janssen (Brussels); Harlan Levey Projects (Brussels); MARUANI MERCIER (Brussels, Knokke, Zaventem); Greta Meert (Brussels); Sorry We’re Closed (Brussels); Gallery Sofie Van de Velde & PLUS-ONE Gallery (Antwerp); Tim Van Laere Gallery (Antwerp); Axel Vervoordt (Hong Kong, Wijnegem).
Among the international galleries participating in the PRIME section are: Almine Rech (Paris, Brussels, London, New York, Shanghai); Ceysson & Bénétière (Geneva, Koerich, Lyon, New York, Paris, Saint-Etienne); C L E A R I N G (Beverly Hills, Brussels, New York); Galeria Vera Cortês (Lisbon); Gladstone (Brussels, Los Angeles, New York, Seoul); The Hole (Los Angeles, New York); Galerie Lelong & Co (New York, Paris); Mendes Wood DM (São Paulo, Brussels, New York); Nathalie Obadia (Paris, Brussels); Nino Mier (Brussels, Los Angeles, New York, Marfa); and SMAC (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch).
Newcomers to the fair include new important international key players: Air de Paris (Romainville); Andréhn Schiptjenko (Stockholm, Paris); annex14 (Zürich); Berg Gallery (Stockholm); Galerie Christophe Gaillard (Paris, Brussels); Harper’s (New York). Mai 36 Galerie (Zurich); MASSIMODECARLO (Milan, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Beijing); Duarte Sequeira (Braga, Seoul); Galerie Thomas Schulte (Berlin); Steve Turner (Los Angeles); Zander Galerie (Cologne, Paris).
The fair shows its continued commitment to curatorial rigour with a large number of SOLO stands, which includes presentations by: Mrzyk & Moriceau with Air de Paris (Romainville); Charles Henry Sommelette with Baronian (Brussels, Knokke); Wolfram Ullrich with Dep Art Gallery (Milan); Constantin Nitsche with Xavier Hufkens (Brussels); Gabrielė Adomaitytė with Gratin (New York); TR Ericsson with Harlan Levy Projects (Brussels); Denicolai & Provoost with LMNO (Brussels); Oscar Giaconia with MONITOR (Rome, Lisbon, Pereto); Jeanne Vicerial with TEMPLON (Paris, Brussels, New York).
The DISCOVERY section features galleries that actively support emerging international artists, presenting booths with a single artist or an interesting dialogue between two artists who are not yet known in the European context. This year the section includes among others: Alice Amati (London); Ballon Rouge (Brussels); Double V Gallery (Marseille); Galerie Droste (Paris); Freight+Volume (New York); Galerie Claire Gastaud (Paris); Philipp von Rosen Galerie (Cologne); Suburbia Contemporary (Barcelona); The Drawing Room (Makati); The Rooster Gallery (Vilnius); and Zalucky Contemporary (Toronto).
A section at the fair will be dedicated to the REDISCOVERY presentations focusing on 20th century artists, living or deceased who have not achieved recognition they deserved. This year, the section includes presentations of works by: Sandro De Alexandris with 10 A.M. ART (Milan); Patrick Angus & Logan T. Sibrel with Galerie Thomas Fuchs (Stuttgart); Diogo Pimentão, Susan Schwalb & Rebecca Salter with Patrick Heide Contemporary Art (London); Louise Barbu, Elga Heinzen & Zuka with Françoise Livinec (Paris); Francis Dusépulchre & André Willequet with Maurice Verbaet Gallery (Knokke) & Lewis Stein with VIN VIN (Vienna).
The INVITED section is back for the 40th edition of the fair addressing emerging galleries that are transcending the typical gallery format and have not previously exhibited at the fair. The 9 newcoming galleries in this section include 10N (Brussels, Menorca); C.C.C. (Copenhagen); Rose Easton (London); KIN Gallery (Brussels); RESERVOIR (Cape Town) & Spiaggia Libera (Paris).
For latest info and programming of the fair, check the website https://www.artbrussels.com/en/
