One of the world’s oldest art and antiques fairs, BRAFA, will return to Brussels this month bringing with it an eclectic mix of quality contemporary art, jewellery, furniture, ancient art, archaeological finds and sea-inspired artworks.
Founded in 1956 and hosted by the not-for-profit Belgian Antiques Fair Association, BRAFA has grown to become one of the country’s most important art events and a key date on the international fine art calendar. This year 136 galleries from all over the world will come together in what promises to be one of 2016’s broadest and most prestigious selling fairs.
Eighteen new galleries have joined the roster this year with highlights including tribal art from Zurich’s Dierking Gallery, Japanese weaponry and armour from Paris’ Jean-Christophe Charbonnier and old masters paintings from Geneva’s De Jonckheere.
Visitors to BRAFA will also be offered an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated Ghent Floralies festival which takes place in April 2016. A celebration of flora and fauna in an urban setting, BRAFA has invited master florist Mark Colle – whose work includes commissions for fashion designers Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander and Dior – to create a number of floral installations incorporating native winter flowers alongside tropical plants and fruits for the occasion.
Also not to be missed are the daily BRAFA art talks set to be given by a list of stellar experts from the worlds of curation, restoration and the art market at large. With topics as diverse as the fair itself, must-sees include Julia Hutt, curator of Japanese art at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, on the masterpieces of Ukiyo-e, physicist Emmanuel Vartanian and art historian Celine Roque on using carbon dating to identify fakes and a round table discussion featuring Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke, Chairman of BRAFA, on buying art as an investment strategy.
“BRAFA aims more than ever to promote the diversity and richness of its treasures, and to retain its reputation for eclecticism,” said Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke, Chairman of BRAFA. “We want to surprise people, awaken their interest, offer them a feast for the eyes… We would like to encourage everyone to take the time to really enjoy themselves.”
BRAFA 2016 takes place from 23 – 31 January 2016 at Tour & Taxis in Brussels, Belgium. Visit brafa.be for tickets and information.