Caught between the weight of rising taxes and the winds of political unrest, the art world finds itself in the throes of crisis. Though policies threaten to suffocate its vibrancy, Belgium’s art community perseveres in various ways.
There is still much to learn and adapt to, yet despite mounting obstacles, it remains a champion of social and political dialogue — proving that its power to provoke is as strong as ever.
SOME THOUGHTS
A proposal to increase VAT on art to 21% in Belgium has raised concerns about the impact on its art market, which ranks 11th globally. The Royal Chamber of Art Dealers warns that the move could hurt Belgium's international standing and reduce long-term tax revenue.
Dealers fear it will drive businesses to countries with lower VAT, like France, diminishing Belgium's status. For artists, gallery workers, and art lovers alike, this could result in higher prices, fewer gigs, and more undervalued labor.
How to cultivate unfiltered, unapologetic conversation. UK gallery Sadie Coles recently launched a new event series of thought-provoking talks aimed at resisting the sanitised narratives often dominating the cultural scene. Brussels’s cultural institutions—especially commercial galleries—could take note, creating space for more open, challenging dialogue in the art world.
With political tensions rising and the market increasingly commercialised, Brussels still has an opportunity to position itself as a hub for critical discourse and take its local artists more seriously. Done right, it could carve out a new cultural niche that values genuine engagement over surface-level spectacle.
EXPOS ON MY RADAR
In a time when democracy is under threat and truth itself is challenged, art remains a powerful tool for testing the status quo and offering alternative perspectives. Art has long served as a voice for the oppressed and a catalyst for social change.
Enter Kendell Geers, the Brussels-based, South African artist/provocateur who’s bringing that tradition to life with his curated show “Everything is True, Nothing is Permitted” at Brutus in Rotterdam.
The exhibition tackles the collapse of truth, the rise of censorship, and the simmering political unrest that’s gripped the globe as of late. Decades of blending activism with aesthetics have made Geers an unapologetic agent of civil disobedience. In a world teetering on the edge of instability, he’s proving that art is a battleground for discourse.
Is that chair staring at me? Collectible Fair champions contemporary design yet again, presenting pieces by designers that challenge conventional design norms. No mass production, no safe bets—just semi-functional conversation starters. It takes place next week, from March 13 to 16, at the Vanderborght building.
SCENE & BE SEEN
Kumo Collective is back for its third edition of Kumo Expo, turning La Vallée into an indoor festival until 4 am with DJs, pop-ups, and work for sale from Brussels’ rising artists.
Martin Kudlek Gallery will present a Drinks & Talks event on March 11th, from 6 to 8 pm, for their upcoming exhibition featuring Erik de Bree & Niels Sievers.
At ETE 78 on MArch 23rd, 1 Heure, 1 Oeuvre offers exactly what it promises: one hour, one artwork, and one deep dive, featuring Patrice Alexandre, Tristan Trémeau and Philippe Nys. RSVP required.
KIN Brussels hosts Urlaub, a conversation between Luca Lo Pinto and Nicolaus Schafhausen on March 15th. Sharp takes on exhibition making, working with artists, museums, galleries, free will, dogs and aesthetic pleasure.
EDJI Gallery highlights artists exploring identity, gender, and social change, with women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ voices leading the way toward a more inclusive art world. Join them for the opening of their new group show, Ethereal, on March 19th from 6–8 pm.
In Ghent, Demain Art is organising a vernissage event for their exhibition The Ripple Effect at Wintercircus Collective on Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 9 pm. Featuring 17 artists working across diverse media, the show reflects on societal shifts, personal narratives, and hidden connections that shape our world.
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