5 art venues to discover off the beaten track

05 December 2023

Vanhaerents Art Collection contemporary art Brussels

Brussels, the contemporary art city par excellence, is a major player when it comes to art galleries. Big national and international names are well established here! But the capital also boasts a number of slightly more secret, often unexpected venues for the most curious of visitors!

This week, follow us off the beaten track to some of the capital's most unconventional galleries. Amazing spaces, extraordinary places, innovative concepts, architectural settings that are worth the trip in their own right... here are a few hotspots to add a little spice to your art gallery experience!

The most hair-raising: LE SALON D’ART

Looking for an unusual experience? Head to Salon d'art, a hybrid venue which, as its name suggests, is both a hairdressing salon and an art gallery! This must-see Saint-Gilles venue has been introducing the general public to contemporary art since 1976, with exhibitions by, among others, Roland Topor, Pierre Alechinsky and Stefan de Jaeger. Here, art and life intermingle and you can chat about painting while getting a fresh new haircut. Jean Marchetti, hairdresser-gallerist-publisher and manager of this incredible establishment, is the guarantor of the singular spirit of this (very) open-minded location!

Where? 81 Rue de l’Hôtel des Monnaies - 1060 Saint-Gilles

When? Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 18:30 and Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.

Salon d'art (c) Jean Rustin

The most multidisciplinary: ELEVEN STEENS

Decrepit walls revealing a few bricks, mosaic windows, concrete floors: ELEVEN STEENS is, above all, a space of raw beauty nestled in the wasteland of the former Belgacom buildings. This art centre, which has remained untouched by industrial development, defines itself as an independent and multidisciplinary platform where art, design and the performing arts can come together. A space dedicated to "art and materials", ELEVEN STEENS explores textures, from ceramics to textiles and from wood and metal to stone. It's a unique location, with a distinct "Brooklyn" vibe.

Where? 11 Rue Steens - 1060 Saint-Gilles

When? Friday to Sunday, from 14:00 to 18:00

The warmest : Galila's P.O.C

Imagine a collection of works of art as playful as it is astonishing, displaying its colours under the glass roof of an old factory. Installed in Forest, Galila's P.O.C (Passion, Obsession and Collection) reflects the sunny and daring personality of Galila Barzilaï Hollander, a self-proclaimed art addict. Over three floors, the scenography offers numerous themes to snack on and holds many surprises. You will come across (among others) a gallery of faces made up of recycled objects, a somewhat voluptuous crocodile sofa, a snake-like sculpture with fake nails, and surprising variations on the watermelon. Mixing textile, sculpture, design, furniture, photography and painting, this joyful whirlwind of art is sure to brighten up your year. Online booking only!

Where? Avenue Van Volxem 295 - 1190 Forest

When? Appointment only

Atelier Jespers design architecture Brussels

The most experimental: Cloud Seven

With his new exhibition space, collector Frédéric de Goldschmidt has taken an unexpected turn while adding another arty asset to the Canal district. A multi-faceted space, Cloud Seven houses an art gallery, co-working options, a bar and a gym all under one roof! Visiting is an opportunity to discover some of the most beautiful pieces of this contemporary art lover's collection in a refined setting. There are works by Fabrice Samyn, colourful weavings by Alighiero Boetti, Louise Bourgeois, Lucio Fontana and a fine selection of emerging artists.

Where? Quai du Commerce 7 - 1000 Bruxelles

When? Tuesday to Saturday, from 14:00 to 18:00

The most immersive: VANHAERENTS ART COLLECTION

Just a stone's throw from the Halles Saint-Géry, the Vanhaerents Art Collection is a veritable cathedral of raw concrete spanning three floors. Housed in a former warehouse, it is a pioneer in that it is the first private collection of contemporary art accessible to the public in Belgium. The Vanhaerents family champions the "slow art" approach and brings new pieces from their collection to light every five years. By presenting them as if they were stored in a warehouse, the current scenography invites exploration. From floor to ceiling, wooden boxes and crates reveal the works with great originality and arouse our curiosity. An experience that is anything but classic and more like an artsy game of hide-and-seek!

Where? 29 Rue Anneessens - 1000 Brussels

When? Appointment only

Eleven Steens

Vanhaerents Art Collection

The Vanhaerents Art Collection is a family collection of contemporary art containing works from the 1970s until today. It thus offers the possibility to confront works from emerging young artists with those of more established artists by whom they were inspired. The collection is housed in an industrial building constructed in 1926 which covers a total surface of 3500 m².

Vanhaerents Art Collection

Le Salon d'Art

An extraordinary experience to enjoy in Brussels: have your hair done in an art gallery. Jean Marchetti, a hairdresser - gallerist - editor, and the boss, invites you to discover the artist of the day while promising you the hairstyle of your dreams.Salon open from Tuesday to Friday from 2 to 6.30 p.m., on Saturday from 9.30 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 6 p.m. hairdressing by appointment only

Le Salon d'Art

Galila's P.O.C.

Through some twenty eclectic and whimsical themes (such as the eye, the book, the chair or recycling), Galilas' P.O.C. presents an extravagant and striking range of ultra-contemporary artists from all around the globe; from the established to emerging and unrepresented (yet) by galleries. As the guide to her guests(in a reduced number), Galila through her collection promotes the exchange and sharing of her vision and passions, taking us out of our daily routines! Galila’s P.O.C. strives to be a space free from all prejudices and open to the world. Private visits are only under reservation and the program varies, please check the website for more details.

Galila's P.O.C.

Cloud Seven - Frédéric de Goldschmidt Collection

Cloud Seven is a coworking, exhibition and residential hub located in downtown Brussels’ fashion and design district. The space spans over seven floors and 1,500 square meters, and provides a coworking facility with a bar, meeting rooms, a multimedia room, a wellness center, exhibition spaces, a diverse cultural program, and private apartments for rental. Cloud Seven's aim is to bring a diverse and dynamic group of creative individuals together within a space that propels art into the office and home, and to inspire a culture that encourages collaboration. Cloud Seven is home to the Frédéric de Goldschmidt collection, which consists mostly of works by emerging artists in dialogue with pieces from historical movements in the 1960s and 70s including the Zero Group, Arte Povera, conceptual and minimal art. On one hand, many works in the collection explore reduced aesthetics with a great sensitivity to humble materials. On the other hand, a distinctive set of sober, geometric and monochromatic abstraction, such as the grid, are present. Themes of delegation, process, chance, combinatory, poetic language that critically describe the oddities in the world are considered in a large portion of the collection. Opening Hours Exhibition Space: Thursdays and Fridays 12:00-18:00 (Extended schedule during temporary exhibitions) Opening Hours Coworking Space: Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00

Cloud Seven - Frédéric de Goldschmidt Collection