Art Brussels

The rich history of the Belgian Art Prize, formerly known as Jeune Peinture Belge, has undoubtedly been a landmark of the evolution of the Belgian art scene since 1950.

Originally born as a private initiative, which it remains today, the non-profit association Jeune Peinture Belge emerged following the dissolution of the eponymous art movement. This movement featured artists such as Gaston Bertrand, Anne Bonnet, Mig Quinet, Rik Slabbinck, and later, Pierre Alechinsky, Jean Milo, Antoine Mortier, Luc Peire, Georges Collignon, Serge Creuz, Jo Delahaut, Edmond Dubrunfaut, Kurt Lewy, Jules Lismonde, and Jean Rets, under the helm of the late Robert Delevoy. 

Pierre Crowet, soon followed by his son-in-law Roland Gillion, took over the chair of the association and established a biennial Prize which was awarded every two years and exhibited at the Palais des Beaux-Arts (now known as BOZAR).

The aim was to support and promote artists established in Belgium, “without prejudice to school or trend”, under the age of 35. Over the years, the Gillion-Crowet award was complemented by additional prizes, such as the Palais des Beaux-Arts, Langui and ING prizes.

In 2017, under its new identity as the Belgian Art Prize, the award underwent a rejuvenation, emphasising artistic relevance, innovative insights and the diversity of artistic practices.  Significant changes were made to the selection process and criteria, including the removal of the age limit and the replacement of the open call by a nomination process.

Faced with the daunting and almost impossible task of compiling a retrospective of the most significant laureates of the past 75 years, the curators chose to focus on a forward-looking perspective. Considering various balances and criteria (gender, linguistic community, discipline, aesthetic vocabulary, awards received, level of recognition or integration into the market), they preselected eight former laureates of the BAP.

To each of them, the curators suggested presenting an artistic conversation with an artist who has never participated in the Belgian Art Prize but could potentially be eligible.

Here is the surprising and original result that you will discover in this exhibition: eight duo presentations aimed at opening the Belgian Art Prize to 75 more years of discoveries and continued support for contemporary art!

Artists: Els Dietvorst & Flor Veronica J. Maesen, Ann Veronica Janssens & Gijs Milius, Leen Voet & Klaas Op de Beéck, Sophie Whettnall & Laurence Petrone, Juan d’Oultremont & Etiennette Plantis, Sébastien Reuzé & Arnaud Eubelen, Emmanuel Van der Auwera & Haseeb Ahmed, Pieter Vermeersch & Le Chauffage.

With the essential support of Stibbe.
Generously insured by Hiscox