The eponymous gallery of Brussels-based art dealer Xavier Hufkens is one of Europe’s leading galleries for contemporary art. Hufkens opened his first gallery in in an un-refurbished warehouse in the neighbourhood of the South Station (Midi) in Brussel where he developed a reputation for introducing some of the most influential contemporary artists to Brussels – artists such as British sculptor Antony Gormley, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, and Rosemarie Trockel.
In 1992, the gallery moved to a 19th-century townhouse at 6 rue Saint-Georges, close to the Avenue Louise, and in spring 2013 Hufkens opened a second space in the same street, at 107 rue Saint-Georges, in the Galerie Rivoli, a mixed-use commercial development from the 1970. Xavier Hufkens maintains a diverse exhibition programme with solo exhibitions of the gallery artists as well as group exhibitions and special projects.
As he continues to attract international attention with his current exhibition of late fabric sculptures and gouaches by Louise Bourgeois (click slideshow to see images), which is on show until October 31, BLOUIN ARTINFO got in touch with Hufkens and asked him a few questions about art, life, and his experiences as a gallerist.
Name: Xavier Hufkens
Hails From: Brussels
Director of: Xavier Hufkens
Gallery’s Specialty: Contemporary Art
Artists Represented:
David Altmejd, Harold Ancart, Louise Bourgeois, George Condo, Matt Connors, Tracey Emin , Antony Gormley, Evan Holloway, Roni Horn, Thomas Houseago, Jacob Kassay, Esther Kläs, Malcolm Morley, Alice Neel, Jack Pierson, Sterling Ruby, Lesley Vance, Jan Vercruysse, Danh Vo, Cathy Wilkes, among others.
What exciting shows do you have planned for the remainder of 2015, from August onwards?
We have some fantastic exhibitions coming up over the next couple of months. “Louise Bourgeois: Les têtes bleues et les femmes rouges” is opening in September, where we will be showing her watercolours (Le femmes rouges) along side her textile sculptures (les têtes bleues). In November we will be showing an exhibition of exciting new works by Thomas Houseago.
Describe the vision of the gallery and how the program is developed?
The gallery’s vision has always been very simple, to show quality works of art regardless of the artist’s age, nationality or gender. This open definition has always allowed for interesting and unexpected juxtapositions, with the gallery presenting established artists along side younger emerging ones. With the opening of our second space in 2013, I was able to push this idea one step further with the concept of the double exhibitions- allowing for a more varied and eclectic program.
What have been some of the most significant achievements and landmark moments of the gallery?
Meeting and getting to know artists intimately have been incredible and humbling moments for me personally, however they were also key moments in the gallery’s development and history.
How has the art market changed since you entered the business?
When I entered the art world in the eighties the business of art remained far more local. Throughout the years however I have witnessed the art world’s complete and rapid globalization.
What was the last piece of art that thoroughly impressed you and why?
The Cézanne collection at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, I was particularly touched by the work, Pot de Gingembre, c. 1895. This work seems to exist in a space between the old and the new world.
What has been your most memorable moment as a gallerist?
When I opened the doors to my first gallery in 1987.
If you weren’t a gallerist, you’d probably be….
It has always been a dream of mine to own my own vineyard.
Art is….
Love. But what is love? An impalpable feeling of happiness…
