No fair does eclecticism quite like BRAFA. Or rather, no fair does eclecticism all under one roof quite like BRAFA. In other cities, accessing the sort of mix on show at the annual Brussels fair requires navigational expertise and a tireless enthusiasm for satellite shows. At BRAFA, it’s possible to wander through a demountable 6-sq-m house by Jean Prouvé taking in 18th century porcelain pitchers and tribal masks from Gabon along the way.
What started as a cosy affair 61 years ago for a coterie of (mainly Belgian) cognoscenti has morphed into an international fair that caters to many. This year, it's bigger than ever – 137 galleries are taking part, of which 21 are new comers. Among them is Galerie le Beau, which presents Scandinavian, Italian and French pieces from the 1940–1970s, laid out in ‘a Haussmann-era Paris apartment’. Stanislas Gokelaere, a French collector and his wife Celine Robinson, a tribal art expert, ‘spotted a gap in the capital for such decorative pieces’ and BRAFA marks their first fair.
For six-month-old Brussels gallery Patinoire Royale, BRAFA was an obvious first fair. ‘It’s local, it’s stable and is puts us in front of a new audience,’ says director Constantin Chariots, who specialises in modern art from the 1980s onwards.
Dealers such as Dierk Dierking, who started selling tribal art in Cologne in 2002, finds that BRAFA ‘allows the opportunity to mix design, art and architecture, in a way other a fairs don’t'. Pointing out the Prouvé house, George Nakashima furniture and 1960s watercolours on show at Dierking, Salis and Landau, he asks: 'Where else would we be able to get (and afford) a 170 sq m stand?’
As to be expected from this antiquarian stalwart, Flemish old masters and 17th century vanitas paintings are in abundance. At Brussels gallery Meessen De Clercq (an Art Basel regular and BRAFA novice), a replica of a Willem Claeszoon Heda still life is the inspiration for a display of works by contemporary artists. But the scarlet scene at Guy Pieters Gallery steals the show; human brains and religious iconography are merged in a series of new marble sculptures by Antwerp artist Jan Fabre. The throngs flocking to the stand hint at BRAFA’s slow but sure contemporary drift.
Robertaebasta’s stand concisely represents the broad variety of styles, eras and traditions represented across the fair.
For six-month-old Brussels gallery Patinoire Royale, BRAFA was an obvious first fair. Pictured: Courbes immatérielles, by Jesus Rafael, 1982.
Art Basel regular and BRAFA novice Meessen De Clercq presented Senza titolo by Claudio Parmiggiani, 2016. The ethereal effect is achieved by smoking a space containing objects laid out on shelves (bottles, books, petrol lamps et al), leaving an impression of them behind. Courtesy the artist and Meessen De Clercq, Brussels
This steel mantel piece by Robert Rigaut was created for a private home in Megève in 1968. It was presented at this year’s fair. Courtesy the artist
Stanislas Gokelaere, a French collector and his wife Celine Robinson, a tribal art expert, ‘spotted a gap in the capital for such decorative pieces’ – BRAFA marks their first fair
Vaisselier Scale, by Eric Schmitt, 2008, on show at Dukto Gallery.
Guy Pieters Gallery stole the show, by way of human brains and religious iconography merged in a series of new marble sculptures
INFORMATION
For more information, visit BRAFA’s website
ADDRESS
Foire des Antiquaires de Belgique
Avenue du Port 86/C
1000 Brussels
-
The ageing female body and the cult of youth: Joan Semmel in BelgiumJoan Semmel’s ‘An Other View’ is currently on show at Xavier Hufkens, Belgium, reimagining the female nude
-
Food, sexuality and domesticity: Anthea Hamilton reconsiders the familiar in AntwerpSubversive and playful, Anthea Hamilton’s first survey exhibition, ‘Mash Up’ has opened at the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
-
Rachel Eulena Williams weaves poetry and abstraction in BrusselsIn ‘Joy & Rain’ at Xavier Hufkens, Brussels, New York-based artist Rachel Eulena Williams presents new hybrid works that are bold, subversive and steeped in complex histories
-
New Hope is Brussels’ treasure trove of 20th century designOlivier Dwek creates gallery New Hope, a treasure trove of 20th-century design in Brussels
-
Step inside Chiharu Shiota’s doll’s houseIn ‘Living Inside’ at Galerie Templon, Brussels, the Japanese artist cocoons dolls houses and miniature furniture in her signature thread
-
Concrete poetry: the architectural sculptures of David UmemotoCanadian artist David Umemoto's new Folded Stone series – on view at Modern Shapes Gallery, Antwerp – uses Japanese kirigami to evoke postmodernist dreams
-
Xavier Hufkens' new gallery space bolsters Brussels' art sceneDesigned by Bernard Dubois, who takes over the @wallpapermag IGTV channel today with an architecture tour, the new home of Xavier Hufkens gallery opened last week with a bold new show by Sterling Ruby
-
‘My brain is my studio': Kris Martin creates space for thoughtFrom hot air balloons to silver-plated skulls, the conceptual artist's deft anthological ideas are history in the making
