Fair Programme
Discover on this page the various events organised by our galleries and partners at the fair.
Thursday 12 December
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Live emission Radio Klara «Pompidou», with Chantal Pattyn
6 pm
Action by Ignace Cami: ‘I’ll explain everything to the geese’ with DMW Gallery
Friday 13 December
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Talk – Luc Deleu in Dialogue with Kathleen Weyts from GLEAN Magazine
(Talk in Dutch)
More information: To celebrate Luc Deleu’s 80th birthday, Art Antwerp presents a special conversation between the renowned artist — represented by KETELEER Gallery — and Kathleen Weyts, editor-in-chief of GLEAN. This event honors Deleu’s illustrious career and marks the release of a comprehensive book on his oeuvre. Known for his groundbreaking work with T.O.P. Office, Deleu has long challenged the conventions of urbanism and architecture. Weyts will explore the evolution of his artistic journey and the process behind the new publication.
In 1970, Luc Deleu (b. 1944, Duffel, Belgium) and his wife, Laurette Gillemot, founded T.O.P. Office, an independent studio for urbanism and architecture, in their home, Les Nénuphars, on the Cogels Osylei in Antwerp. The conceptually driven T.O.P. Office notably introduced its architectural projects to the art world—a space more receptive to its ethos of freedom and experimentation than the execution-focused domain of traditional architecture. Their primary goal remains to expand the ways in which architecture and urban design can engage with human life and the planet, seeking innovative and creative approaches to establish a more sustainable balance for the future.
Kathleen Weyts, editor-in-chief of GLEAN, has extensive experience in the arts, having served as director of HART magazine from 2019 to 2023, as well as director of Contemporary Art Heritage Flanders (CAHF). She has curated several notable exhibitions, including Somewhere in Between: Contemporary Art Scenes in Europe and Imagine Europe: In Search of New Narratives, both at Bozar in Brussels. She is also a writer, lecturer, and consultant in art management.
5:00 pm
Talk – Silence is a Message
Hans Vandekerckhove in conversation with Eric Rinckhout on his new book & work – Hosted by TATJANA PIETERS / published by Hannibal Books.
(Talk in Dutch)
More information: Discover the enigmatic world of Hans Vandekerckhove (b. 1957, Belgium), an artist who embraces the complexity of life in a unique and compelling way. His art is a harmonious synthesis of personal impressions, art historical references and a deep, intimate connection with nature, architecture and his milieu. Vandekerckhove’s distinctive approach combines early Renaissance fresco techniques with the refined glazing of the Flemish Primitives. The result is a poetic visual language that balances on the border between tangible wonder and a world full of vulnerability. The painter’s mantra – “silence is a message!” – embodies the essence of his oeuvre, wherein silence is not just an absence of sound, but also a powerful agent for contemplation and depth. This book offers an overview of Vandekerckhove’s oeuvre between 2016 and 2023. Texts by Eric Rinckhout, Els Wuyts, Peter Verhelst and Davide Ferri illuminate the works and guide you through the rich layers of his artistic expression.
Based in Ghent (BE), Hans Vandekerckhove has exhibited in renowned international galleries and museums during a career spanning more than thirty years. His work is represented in collections such as Mu.ZEE Ostend (BE), the Flemish Government (BE), The Phoebus Foundation (BE) and Museum Minden (DE), as well as numerous private collections throughout the world. His biography testifies to his lasting influence on the contemporary art scene. Experience the power and beauty of Vandekerckhove’s sensory universe through a series of unforgettable paintings.
Eric Rinckhout (b. 1956, Belgium) is an art critic, writer, and journalist specializing in visual arts and literature. He has published numerous essays and books on artists and worked for many years as a culture editor at De Morgen. Rinckhout is known for his sharp insights and accessible style.
Saturday 14 December
2:00 pm
Talk – Dreams for Antwerp
With speakers Natasja Mabesoone (Artist), Heidi Ballet (DE SINGEL), Stella Lohaus (LLS Paleis), and Johan Pas (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp), moderated by Tim Verherstraeten (Antwerp Art)
(Talk in Dutch)
More information: In 2024 we celebrated Antwerp Art Weekend’s 10th edition, marking a decade of joining forces within Antwerp’s contemporary art field. This anniversary is the perfect opportunity to enter into conversation with a number of players from our local art scene about our strengths – because we think they stand to be celebrated – and reflect on the past 10 years. We are also looking forward, asking them where they see opportunities in terms of exchange, collaboration, structures, resources, and so on. What are their dreams for Antwerp’s contemporary arts scene in the coming 10 years?
With speakers Natasja Mabesoone (Artist), Heidi Ballet (DE SINGEL), Stella Lohaus (LLS Paleis), and Johan Pas (Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp), moderated by Tim Verherstraeten (Antwerp Art).
Antwerp Art
Since 2014, Antwerp Art highlights and connects Antwerp’s vibrant contemporary art scene by promoting and communicating the programs of its members via antwerpart.be, our social media, monthly newsletter, and through organizing the annual Antwerp Art Weekend: a four day citywide manifestation where art spaces in and around Antwerp join forces to celebrate contemporary art.
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Book signing – Klaas Rommelaere, Johnny (published by Art Paper Editions)
More information: In 2021, Klaas Rommelaere saw Adam Curtis’ documentary Can’t Get You Out of My Head: An Emotional History of the Modern World. Using found footage, Curtis examines the power structures that shape our world. He touches on themes such as individualism versus collectivism, conspiracy theories, American imperialism, the history of China and artificial intelligence.
The nihilism Rommelaere felt reminded him of Mike Leigh’s award-winning 1993 film Naked, in which the intellectual but dominant and violent twenty-something Johnny wanders through gloomy post-Thatcherian London and shares his dark world view with anyone who will listen.
Rommelaere incorporates both “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and “Naked” in his new series Johnny, taking screen shots from both films and printing them on textile; one series on cotton and one on velour. In addition to the dark message of both films, Rommelaere also displays his personal images of doom. For example, he has a panicky fear of snakes – a symbol that recurs frequently in this series – and for a period he was afraid of buildings collapsing, a fear he retained from a trip to Tokyo, where earthquakes regularly occur.
Although he does not want to look away from the pain of the world, he instead places something in return: comfort and beauty. An image from a dance performance by Rosas, for example. Or nature in the form of the orchids in his studio. Yoga too. A focus on human anatomy, which stands for vitality. Rommelaere embroiders ‘Chaos’ on several of his new works, as well as ‘react’, ‘reload’, ‘recharge’. And so the Johnny series becomes his highly personal attempt to create order out of chaos.
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Talk – What’s the Role of the Artist and the Art Collector in Today’s Art World?
A Talk with Joëlle Dubois & Bruno Teirlynck by Benedicte Goesaert
(Talk in Dutch)
More information: Join Benedicte Goesaert at the fair as she engages in a conversation with artist Joëlle Dubois and collector Bruno Teirlynck, both of whom bring unique perspectives to the art world and Art Antwerp. In this talk, they will discuss the experience of being an artist, the challenges of presenting new work to the outside world—particularly to potential collectors—as well as how Bruno Teirlynck navigates the vast array of art available today. What role do art fairs play in this dynamic? Does a collector always wish to meet the artist behind the work, and is it important for an artist like Joëlle Dubois to speak with the collectors of her work?
Joëlle Dubois is known for her vibrant, glossy paintings that often center around female physicality. Her work combines gravity and irony, confronting viewers with the duality of modern technology. In her more recent work, she delves into her personal life, exploring themes of loss, uncertainty, memory, and love. She creates an atmosphere where vulnerability and strength alternate in dreamy scenes. Her work will be showcased at Art Antwerp in the KETELEER Gallery booth.
Bruno Teirlynck has transformed from a casual art enthusiast into an intentional and engaged collector of emerging talent. With a distinctive and optimistic outlook, he closely follows both the Belgian and international art world and market, adding a nuanced perspective to the role of “the collector.” As an M&A advisor, economic rationale is central in his professional life, while he believes a life enriched by art offers balance and fresh insights.
Benedicte Goesaert is a curator, art expert, and VIP ambassador for Art Antwerp and Art Brussels. She served for eight years as a director at Zeno X Gallery, spending many weeks at art fairs. With nearly 14 years of experience in both the domestic and international art world, she has a deep understanding of the various roles and dynamics within this evolving field. In her current role, she collaborates with both artists and collectors, some of whom seek guidance to her in buying or collecting art.
Sunday 15 December
2:00 pm
Talk – Beauty and Chance at Art Antwerp: Marie Peeters in Conversation with Koen Leemans
(Talk in Dutch)
More information: Marie Peeters engages in conversations with people who fascinate her, driven by the interweaving of their work and personality.
Koen Leemans, Director at Keteleer Gallery, and artist Marie Peeters first met a few years ago in Mechelen. Since then, their paths have continued to cross.
At Art Antwerp, they will discuss how beauty and chance shape their journeys.
This conversation is inspired by Het boek van Schoonheid en Toeval (The Book of Beauty and Chance) by Marie Peeters, a personal exploration of twelve encounters where beauty and chance are the central themes.
Wonder, human interconnectedness, and a hunger for the unknown color the journeys of both Koen and Marie.
Whether by coincidence or not, these qualities have brought them into the world of visual arts, culminating in this dialogue on Sunday, 15 December, at 2 PM. Will you join us?
Since January 2023, Koen Leemans has been the Director of Keteleer Gallery in Antwerp. A history graduate from KU Leuven, Leemans is well-known for his work as curator at De Garage, where he served for over 24 years as Director of Cultuurcentrum Mechelen, and at Museum Hof van Busleyden. At De Garage, he collaborated with many artists on approximately 150 exhibition projects and produced over 50 publications. As an independent curator, Leemans organizes exhibitions in various art spaces. He is also a member of several art committees and occasionally works as a writer and guest lecturer.
Guided by beauty and chance, Marie Peeters embraces the world with wonder, emotion, and melancholy. As a troubadour and master of ceremonies, she seeks to share the strength of existence:
- In book form through Het boek van Schoonheid en Toeval
- As a master of ceremonies at De Warande
- In her daily life, where encounters lead to new worlds
2 – 3 pm
Conference and book launch ‘Het Grote Kunstkoopboek’ – Organised by Young Collectors Circle
4 pm
DMW Gallery, Action by Ignace Cami: ‘I’ll explain everything to the geese’
6 pm
Galerie La Forest Divonne, Book signing ‘Les Voyageurs’ by Tinka Pittoors
