Brussels art fair BRAFA shines for its 70th anniversary edition

For its 70th birthday, the prestigious art fair BRAFA gathers some 130 renowned exhibitors from 16 countries at Brussels Expo from 26 January until 2 February.

While promising an anniversary edition full of celebration and joy, the habitually sophisticated and elegant event underlines the quality, excellence and eclecticism of the works on display.

It’s this trademark multidisciplinary that has earned BRAFA its ranking as one of the top five art and antiques fairs in the world. Among the 20 different specialities on show are Old Master paintings, antique and designer furniture, African art, textiles, archaeological exhibits and jewellery, as well as modern and contemporary art.

Adding to the festive atmosphere are Portuguese guest artist Joana Vasconcelos’s two monumental Valkyrie installations. The giant exuberant sculptures, inspired by mythological battlefield creatures, are suspended above the salon’s central aisle. Hand crafted from a symphony of colourful textile materials, incorporating shiny elements and twinkling lights, the Valkyries come alive to imbue the space with a symbolic display of feminine sensualism and power.

As the first woman to be invited to guest exhibit, Vasconcelos paid tribute to the important milestone of the 70th anniversary. “BRAFA’s longevity is testament to its leading role for art connoisseurs and collectors, fostering an environment where the past, present and future of art overlap,” said the prolific artist.

If the fair’s identity has been forged by the number of returning leading galleries every year, this anniversary edition welcomes 16 new exhibitors. They include the Italian gallery Valerio Turchi, specialised in Greek and Roman archaeology, and two London galleries reputed for their Old Masters, Colnaghi and DYS44 Lampronti Gallery (pictured above). From Belgium, contemporary art specialists Nathalie Obadia, Templon and Edward Simoens make an appearance. The Swedish gallery Hoffmans Antiques with its Gustavian furniture, brings a different speciality to the fair.

Another new addition is a collaboration with the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (IPRA). Belgium’s leading institution for the study and conservation of artistic and cultural heritage boasts a dedicated space. The institute offers interactive workshops for a behind-the-scenes peek at its preservation and restoration techniques, daily at 14.00 and 17.00.

An adjacent stand is occupied by the King Baudouin Foundation, which comes to the fair each year to show off its latest acquisitions. The Belgian philanthropic institution plays a key role in safeguarding Belgian art treasures and ensuring that they remain accessible to the general public. Its displays reveal the sheer range of art and heritage that the foundation has helped acquire, from medieval works to contemporary creations by Antwerp artist Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven.

Pride of place goes to the exceptional 16th-century Brussels tapestry of King Solomon and his mother Bathsheba (pictured above). Since the end of November, the outstanding work has been hanging in the Museum of the City of Brussels – The King’s House, following an unprecedented pooling of resources by various partners.

Other gems are a Rodin sculpture, an exquisite Louis XV mustard pot and an important Art Deco work by Brussels sculptor Oscar Jespers, bought for the Museum of Ixelles. Along with design furniture from the period and a rare bronze sculpture by Marcel Wolfers of the goddess Diana (pictured above), they are among numerous exhibits from the stylistic period that are a nod to the Belgian capital’s celebration of the centenary of the Art Deco movement this year.

The KBF also hosts a series of daily art talks by curators, experts and journalists at 16.00, which are free for all visitors to the fair.

On the modern and contemporary art front, European artists dominate, with Belgians often given pride of place. It is the almost surreal dialogue between the divergent works that makes BRAFA such a fascinating experience (Robertaebasta gallery pictured above). Alongside the sprinkling of Impressionist and Abstract works, some of the most interesting pieces are often exceptional paintings by artists who are less represented in museums and galleries.

Alighting on surprise gems is a feature of the fair experience, as well as admiring the sleekly-dressed visitors. One exhibit turning heads at the Stone Gallery - one of the clutch of new exhibitors - is the resplendent front leg of a woolly mammoth (pictured below).

Jewellery stands are also a stalwart of the fair, with Europe’s mythical brands all represented. Art Deco gems feature among the finely crafted creations, as well as postwar designs.

BRAFA is also an important commercial marketplace. All the exhibits are on sale and have been carefully selected by experts to ensure their quality and provenance. Specialist advisors are on hand to guide visitors looking to make a purchase.

For Klaus Muller, the new chairman of BRAFA, the fair has become a brand in its own right. “We have managed to avoid the lure of passing trends and fashions. What matters is the quality of the featured works and galleries.”

He also underlines the relaxed ambiance of the event: “The general atmosphere among participants is positive and friendly, the exhibitors are welcoming and always ready to share their passion with visitors, and our audience is very varied, from art lovers to discerning collectors, by way of interior designers and museum curators.”

If the fair was founded in 1956 to feed the insatiable appetite of Belgium’s famed collectors, its evolution and success beyond the country’s borders continues to be fuelled by an unerring appreciation of fine art and objects.

BRAFA Art Fair
26 January to 2 February
Brussels Expo
Place de Belgique 1
Laeken

Photos: BRAFA ©Olivier Pirard; ©King Baudouin Foundation