Brussels Art Fair BRAFA: Florals and Rare Collectibles

Brussels Art Fair BRAFA 2016 brings a record number of antiques, art and furniture galleries to Brussels. The fair area has been increased by 660 square-metres, which allows 12 more exhibitors entering the fair. The fair now presents 137 renowned galleries from 17 countries.

The fair is known for an eclectic mix of eras, styles and objects. BRAFA’s main sections, archaeology, Old Master paintings and tribal arts, will present rarities such as rare Roman and Near Eastern objects from New York-based Safani Gallery Inc and a Liberian, extremely rare 19th-century Grebo mask representing an elephant by Serge Schoffel gallery.

For the first time, the fair presents a trio of Zürich-based Galerie Dierking, Frankfurt-based Frank Landau and Thomas Salis gallery from Salzburg on a conceptual stand where fine furniture and works from the 20th and 21st centuries will be integrated into a display of African and American art. In addition to the stands, the fair presents a daily cycle of lectures known as the BRAFA Art Talks, which bring together a wide range of specialists from the art world, museum directors, conservators and collectors.

“We are delighted to be able to present such a list of participants in Brussels”, states Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke, President of BRAFA. “It represents an ideal combination of traditional exhibitors whose loyalty deserves mention and who have been the backbone of this event, while at the same time remaining open to prestigious new names that we are particularly proud to welcome.”

The spatial concept of the fair have been created by architecture firm Volume Architecture with close collaboration of the guest of honour of the fair, flower festival Ghent Floralies. The glass ceilings of Tour & Taxis have been turned into a greenhouse that blends a variety of eras and styles by Antwerp florist Mark Colle, who has come to be known for his bold designs for the fashion shows of Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander and Dior. •

BRAFA – Brussels Art Fair at Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86 C, Brussels, Belgium, from 23–31 January 2016.

Main image
Douwes Fine Art BV.
Ambrosius Bosschaert the Younger: Flower piece with roses, tulips, and other flowers in a cylindrical glass on a stone ledge with a pansy and a red admiral butterfly (circa 1625).
Oil on panel.
Size 32.5 x 20.3 cm.