With its impressive array of galleries, Brussels is attracting more and more art lovers and collectors. Although galleries are fairly spread across the city, there are a few neighbourhoods, such as Chatelain, Louise and Ste Catherine, that have a significant number of specialised art galleries showcasing both emerging and established artists. Here are 10 galleries that should be on your radar when visiting Brussels.
Huberty Breyne Gallery
Alain Huberty and Marc Breyne have dedicated their lives to comic book art, becoming international names in the field and exploring the existing dialogue between comics and contemporary art. They have staged solo and collective exhibitions in which painters, illustrators, comic books authors, visual artists, photographers and sculptors have joined forces to push the limits of their genres. The multi-functional Chatelain gallery also holds performances and conferences.
Baronian-Xippas
The Baronian-Xippas is a must for any art lover. Though only recently opened, the gallery is already on its way to becoming a powerhouse on the Belgian, European and South American art scenes. Fronted by major art dealers, Albert Baronian and Renos Xippas, the gallery exhibits both experienced names and young emerging talents. Expect exhibitions with artists such as Wang Du, Lionel Esteve, Gilbert and George, and Janaina Tschäpe.
Alice Gallery
Alice van den Abeele and Raphaël Cruyt opened Alice Gallery in 2005 with a ‘glocal’ vision, reflecting an emerging globalised culture. The gallery has made its name by supporting contemporary artists who work across all media. In 2016, the gallery’s founders opened the MIMA, the new Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Arts in a converted brewery in the Molenbeek district. Much like the Alice Gallery, the Museum promotes grassroots art movements.
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Meessen De Clercq
Meessen De Clercq is another contemporary art gallery exhibiting work from established international artists. Spread across the three floors of an early 20th-century house, the gallery boasts a separate video space and a 'Wunderkammer', offering their unique take on world theatre.
Valérie Bach
After a heavy renovation, La Patinoire Royale (home to Valérie Bach), reopened in all its splendour in 2015. The former royal skating rink is listed as part of Brussels' architectural heritage, and it exhibits group and solo shows in its unique interior spaces. The gallery alternates between Belgian and foreign, emerging and established artists, striking a brilliant balance between various disciplines such as plastic arts, photography and paintings.
Xavier Hufkens
With two locations between the Chatelain area and Avenue Louise, Xavier Hufkens is one of Europe’s most influential contemporary art galleries. Launched in 1987 in a scruffy warehouse, the gallery focused on emerging creatives and introduced some eminent contemporary artists to Brussels. Today, Xavier Hufkens’ scope covers an array of disciplines including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and installation-based works, with legendary names in contemporary art standing alongside young, up-and-coming artists.
Daniel Templon
In 1966, Daniel Templon opened his Paris gallery and became one of the French contemporary art pioneers. Various world-renowned artists such as Boltanski, Cucchi and Warhol have been represented by the gallery, and Templon introduced many important American artists to the French public. In 2013, he opened his Brussels gallery in the Chatelain district and works with around 25 international artists.
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Gladstone
Gladstone is a contemporary art gallery founded by Barbara Gladstone in New York. Today, the gallery has four venues, with residences in Brussels and the Big Apple. Their Brussels location is between Avenue Louise and the chic Sablon district, which overflows with art dealers and small galleries. Gladstone exhibits big international artists such as Anish Kapoor and Shirin Neshat alongside work by emerging artists in a wide range of media, including photography, video, installations, painting and sculpture.
Dépendance
Dépendance was founded by Michael Callies and Stephan Jaax in 2003 in the heart of the Dansaert district, home to many young and up-and-coming artists. One of the first galleries to open downtown, it introduced the works of socially and politically committed artists to Brussels when they were still relatively unknown. The gallery served as an international stepping stone for talents such as Sergej Jensen, Michael Krebber and Richard Aldrich, who all exhibited in Belgium for the first time at Dépendance.
Greta Meert
Housed in an impressive Art Nouveau building designed by architect Louis Bral, Greta Meert is an unmissable stop on any art tour of Brussels. Opened in 1988, the gallery showcases minimal and conceptual art from the 1970s, along with a selection of artists specialising in plastic arts, and photographic works from the 1980s. Greta Meert has worked with Belgian and international artists including Eric Baudelaire, Iñaki Bonillas, Koen van den Broek and Pieter Vermeersch.
