01 october 2024, Flor Linckens
The versatility of paper at Art on Paper Brussels
As the name suggests, Art on Paper Brussels is all about the versatility of paper as a medium. Artworks on or made from paper possess a specific allure, as artists often work quickly and intuitively in this medium. The lower risk encourages experimentation with texture and scale, allowing artists to bring their ideas to life using materials such as ink, pencil or watercolour.
This often results in surprising outcomes, ranging from detailed sketches and drawings to paper sculptures and screen prints. An additional advantage of paper-based art is that it is generally more affordable than works in other media, often because editions are involved. As a result, a work on paper often becomes the starting point for many art collections. The fair offers a broad range of works — from contemporary to classical — and this year it will once again take place in the impressive Gare Maritime from 3-6 October. Art on Paper offers visitors a unique opportunity to discover the diversity of this medium. Out of the 65 participating galleries, six will be highlighted here, each presenting works on paper that explore the medium in interesting ways.
The presentation of EVA STEYNEN GALLERY from Antwerp brings together a large-scale cut-out drawing by Benoît Felix, in which he explores the boundary between object and drawing, alongside the colourful works of Johannes Kubiak, characterised by layering and transparency. Nel Bonte adds playful watercolours that bring together everyday objects and architectural forms. The booth also features the organically shaped works of Fred Michiels, where instinctive brushstrokes, cultural references and abstract forms meet. These varied approaches to structure, colour and perception complement each other, offering insights into the conceptual framework of the artists and how they see the world.
For Art on Paper Brussels, Galerie Maurits van de Laar from The Hague presents work from three artists: the expressive and layered collage drawings of Susanna Inglada, often focusing on power dynamics; the detailed, often large-scale architectural drawings of Robbie Cornelissen, who creates spaces for the viewer to freely wander through; and the theatrical, playful works of Dirk Zoete, where human figures and structures form a disorienting world that balances between reality and fantasy.
Galerie Bart showcases a selection of three artists working with diverse styles and themes. Tamara Muller frequently uses her own face as a motif in her portraits, in which she explores complex human emotions and relationships. While Lawrence James Bailey previously focused on deserted landscapes, he now shifts his attention explicitly to people. These works, often inspired by his own experiences of isolation in nature, depict his friends and acquaintances as mythical or religious figures. Toni van Tiel creates surreal and humorous architectural forms that stimulate the viewer’s imagination. These paper sculptures seem to almost come to life.
At Art on Paper Brussels, galerie dudokdegroot presents works from four artists. Guy Vording showcases pieces from his series "The place that cannot be", in which he reworks iconic images to create new and disorienting compositions. Sandra Kruisbrink offers serene, detailed landscapes that play with space and silence. Fleur van Dodewaard experiments with abstract forms and compositions, incorporating flowing, curved lines and striking black-and-white contrasts. Stefan Serneels exhibits pencil drawings of interior spaces, sometimes with human figures, evoking a mysterious and introspective atmosphere.
Schönfeld Gallery showcases works by Tina Berning, Eliza Pepermans and Jesse Willems. Tina Berning explores female identity in her figurative works, often using ink, collage and watercolour on found materials. Eliza Pepermans brings still lifes to life with bright colours and bold outlines, transforming everyday objects into painterly compositions. Jesse Willems creates abstract collages, sometimes based on fragments from old magazines, discovering beauty in everyday images and historical materials.
At Art on Paper Brussels, SETTANTOTTO from Ghent presents work by herman de vries. His use of natural materials like soil and plants reflects his background as a botanist and his ongoing exploration of the relationship between humans and nature. Together with ALTENBERG GALLERY, the booth also features works by Jules Lismonde, who plays with space and depth, inviting the viewer to visually move through an imaginary world. The booth also includes works by Hallveig Agustsdottir, courtesy of ALTENBERG GALLERY.
