05 september 2022, Manuela Klerkx
An interview with Sybille du Roy de Blicque: managing director of Brussels Gallery Weekend
Before starting her art consultancy business, Sybille du Roy de Blicque was working as a director at rodolphe Janssen and Galerie Almine Rech and as an assistant at Gladstone Gallery. Thanks to her experience in galleries and at art fairs, she was able to build up an extensive network in Belgium and abroad. Since 2016 Sybille has been involved in the Brussels Gallery Weekend which she now runs in the position of managing director. She also works as an independent art consultant and organises art events for companies and individuals. An interview with an enthusiastic art lover and an ambitious promoter of the Brussels art world.
How would you describe Brussels Gallery Weekend?
Brussels Gallery Weekend is the opening of the new art season in Brussels. For four days, galleries, institutions and museums open their doors to the public and various events are held. Throughout the weekend, Brussels acts as a national and international meeting place and visitors get an impression of the wide diversity of the local art scene.
What types of visitors do you expect?
We welcome all types of visitors. We often see families, but also lots of art enthusiasts and professionals. The majority of visitors are from Brussels, but Belgians from other parts of the country and visitors from our neighbouring countries also come to the event. This year, we’ve received confirmation from various groups of collectors and friends of international museums in response to our invitation, as well as visitors from far away countries like China and of course, the United States.
Why should people come to Brussels Gallery Weekend?
For the high quality of participating galleries and to get to know the Brussels art scene. There is a festive and warm atmosphere throughout the city. All participating galleries are delighted to be able to open their doors again and welcome visitors after a long summer.
Frank Walter, Sir George Walter Counting with his Fingers, Xavier Hufkens
What kinds of galleries are taking part in the event?
The galleries are selected by a committee of gallery owners. These range from very long-established galleries like Greta Meert or Xavier Hufkens to up-and-coming galleries. Obviously, these are galleries specialising in contemporary art, although a few exceptions are made for galleries with a focus on design, but also with a link to contemporary or modern art. The goal is to highlight the diversity and abundance of galleries in Brussels.
What is your relationship to the local art world?
I’ve worked in different galleries for around ten years, starting with Gladstone Gallery, followed by Almine Rech and finally, at Rodolphe Janssen. As a child, my parents always took me to galleries. I think I’ve known Albert Baronian since I was a very young girl. I also still often visit galleries, museums and other cultural institutions. And, of course, I love to visit artist studios.
Jeff Wall, Event, 2022, Galerie Greta Meert
The advent of digital technology and NFTs [non-fundable tokens, MK] and especially the growing number of virtual gallery visits [online viewing rooms, MK] have had an enormous impact on the art world. How do you think this digital evolution will affect the future of galleries?
To be honest, I haven’t quite figured that out yet. I think it’s still too early to say what exactly the future brings. This year, we entered into a partnership with PINSL, a start-up in the area of art technology, in order to create a link between the visual art world and the digital space. They want to bridge the gap between the physical and digital art world and offer everyone a reliable way to enter this new digital art space. By creating a NFT platform that meets the rules of the art world and by offering user-friendly access to the world of NFTs, PINSL encourages artists and galleries – and offers them the possibility – to enter into the world of crypto art. To achieve their goals, they’re building a new platform within the 3D ecosystem that enables everyone in the art world to easily create, manage and sell NFTs.
Why does Brussels attract so many international galleries from places like Los Angeles, Paris and Brazil?
I think that Brussels has the advantage of being a centrally located capital in Europe that is close to London and Paris. Also, there are numerous advantages to living in Brussels and Belgium is known as a country of collectors. Another important factor is the fact that Brussels galleries have earned a reputation for the high quality of their individual gallery programmes and that they participate in leading international fairs.
Since 2018, Brussels Gallery Weekend and participating galleries have been supporting young artists from Brussels with the exhibition ‘Generation Brussels’, which showcases the work of artists living and working in Brussels. For this edition of Brussels Gallery Weekend, Belgian curator Maud Salembier worked together with selected artists on a transdisciplinary exhibition revolving around ‘Care’. Can you tell us more about this initiative?
Five years ago, the committee and I examined possibilities to offer more opportunities to young artists who did not yet have a gallery to represent them. Alongside that, all galleries conduct their own research and field work into young artists in Brussels. ‘Generation Brussels’ kicks off of this partnership, as it were. Over the years, the exhibition has served as a springboard for artists. Some are now represented by galleries, while others sell their work directly to collectors.
Marco De Sanctis, "2020-2021", Dauwens & Beernaert Gallery
How do you envision the future of Brussels Gallery Weekend?
I think we need to stay focused on programming and offering insight into the Brussels art scene. We hope to continuously innovate the ways in which we promote the work of galleries, institutions and artists and gradually become more widely known in order to attract even more international groups and visitors.
Can you tell us three things that should not be missed during this year’s Brussels Gallery Weekend?
First and foremost, of course, a visit to the exhibitions at the participating galleries, but I would also definitely go on one of our guided tours in order to discover new galleries and get off the beaten path for a change. I would also absolutely visit ‘L’Imprimerie’, where visitors can see the ‘Generation Brussels’ exhibition and ‘Sculpture Factory Project’, featuring a selection of works on a large scale.
