From Watou to Antony Gormley: Our Summer Exhibition Tips

As summer vacation offers more leisure time, VRT NWS presents a curated list of 40 diverse art exhibitions to explore across Belgium. These recommendations cater to various tastes, ensuring an enriching cultural experience for all.

A significant highlight is the exhibition "Geestgrond" at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA). The museum showcases over 100 works by British artist Antony Gormley, including the monumental "Cave," which visitors are encouraged to touch and explore. This steel installation, alongside works in clay and wood, offers an immersive experience. Gormley's presence extends beyond the museum, with other works visible throughout Antwerp. The exhibition runs until September 20.

Antwerp's Fashion Museum (MoMu) is dedicating an exhibition to the iconic "Antwerp Six," celebrating the 40th anniversary of their international breakthrough in 2026. The exhibition pays tribute to the late fashion designer Marina Yee and features designs by Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Bikkembergs, Dirk Van Saene, and Yee. The group, who studied fashion in Antwerp, made their mark on fashion history after their collective trip to London in 1986. This exhibition is open until January 17 next year, with online time slot reservations recommended.

In Brussels, the Patrick Derom Gallery offers a free exhibition of 48 works by Ostend artist Léon Spilliaert. A quarter of these pieces have never been publicly displayed before, with some still privately owned by the Spilliaert family. While Spilliaert is known for his self-portraits and dark seascapes, this exhibition also reveals his lesser-known interiors and still lifes. His final work, created on his deathbed in November 1946, is also on display. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday.

Kunsthal BRUSK in Bruges presents a dual exhibition, featuring AI-driven installations by Turkish-American artist Refik Anadol in "Latent City" and "Breedbeeld," which explores Bruges' medieval global connections. French-Brussels artist Laure Prouvost has created her largest fresco to date, a 350-square-meter artwork for the venue's stairwell. "Breedbeeld" closes on September 7, while "Latent City" remains accessible until November 8.