In the heart of Europe, where history intertwines with innovation, the 2024 edition of BRAFA Art Fair emerges as a captivating celebration of creativity, blending the past with the present in a Surrealist tapestry. From January 28th to February 4th, the prestigious Brussels Expo transforms into an enchanting realm, hosting 132 exhibitors from 14 diverse countries and inviting art enthusiasts on an extraordinary journey through the profound legacy of Surrealism.
This edition holds profound significance, marking a century since André Breton unveiled the Manifesto of Surrealism in 1924, laying the groundwork for an artistic revolution that reverberated throughout the 20th century. In Brussels, poet Paul Nougé founded a pivotal Surrealist centre, igniting a creative fervour that continues to inspire.
Surrealism, a movement that championed the liberation of psychic forces from the shackles of reason, transcended conventional artistic norms. André Breton aptly described it as “the dictation of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason and outside all moral or aesthetic concerns.”
Bailly Gallery
At the heart of this artistic extravaganza lies a captivating assortment of Surrealist treasures curated by BRAFA’s esteemed exhibitors. Librairie Lardanchet unveils a gem—an exceedingly rare original copy of André Breton’s seminal Manifeste du Surréalisme (1924), inviting patrons into the movement’s inception. The offerings extend further with Léopold Survage’s ethereal Composition surréaliste (1916), presented by Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke, a testament to the movement’s early evolution.
Repetto Gallery
Renowned maestros of Surrealism take centre stage: De Jonckheere mesmerizes with René Magritte’s evocative La Légende des Siècles (1950) and L’intelligence (1946), while Galerie Ary Jan unveils Salvador Dalí’s Etude d’enfant for the Madone de Port-Lligat (1950), a whimsical masterpiece. Galerie de la Béraudière showcases André Masson’s enigmatic Héraclite (1943), echoing the movement’s enigmatic essence.
Opera Gallery
The spirit of Surrealism thrives in contemporary expressions, embodied in Rodolphe Janssen’s exhibit featuring Emily Mae Smith, Tom Poelmans, and Thomas Lerooy, bridging generations through Surrealism’s timeless allure. Amidst this Surrealist symphony, the Paul Delvaux Foundation assumes a pivotal role as the guest of honour, illuminating the legacy of painter Paul Delvaux (1897-1994). Not a conventional Surrealist, Delvaux’s works emanate a dreamlike universe akin to Surrealism, yet with a restrained touch. The Foundation presents a captivating glimpse into Delvaux’s oeuvre, underscoring his unparalleled contribution to 20th-century art. Art patrons and art collectors will delight in encountering Delvaux’s timeless creations, ranging from Galerie Jean-François Cazeau’s Nu dans l’atelier (1920s) to Opera Gallery’s La Fin du Voyage (1968), unveiling the artist’s evolution across decades.
Von Vertes Gallery
Six Swiss galleries converge at BRAFA, adding their unique flair to this artistic melange, underscoring Switzerland’s rich artistic heritage.
The six Swiss galleries at BRAFA 2024:
- Bailly Gallery, Geneva – Specialized in modern and contemporary art.
- Cortesi Gallery, Lugano, CH / Milan, IT – Focused on modern and contemporary art.
- Galerie De Jonckheere, Geneva – Renowned for offering works by old masters and modern artists.
- Opera Gallery, Geneva – Showcasing a wide range of modern and contemporary art.
- Repetto Gallery, Lugano CH – Focused on post-war Italian art, Arte Povera, and Land Art.
- Galerie Von Vertes, Zurich – Highlighting modern and contemporary art.
Cortesi Gallery
These six Swiss galleries add a significant slice of diversity and sophistication to the already vibrant and cosmopolitan framework of BRAFA 2024. Their presence underscores Switzerland’s cultural and artistic richness, joining other exhibitors to create an unparalleled artistic experience.
De Jonckheere Gallery
In this Surrealist odyssey, let art be the conduit to traverse the depths of imagination and evoke emotions that transcend the boundaries of the mind.
For more info, visit BRAFA Art Fair
Article edited by Massimo Basile
Editor & Founder