News
For its first participation at BRAFA, Almine Rech will present a curated selection of modern and contemporary works that reflect the gallery’s cross-generational approach, bringing together historical figures and leading contemporary voices.
At the center of the presentation stands Crow (2025), a new kinetic sculpture by Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck. Suspended in space, the life-size crow flaps its wings in a slow, rhythmic motion, evoking the illusion of flight. Combining mechanical precision with a quiet sense of melancholy, Crow embodies Op de Beeck’s poetic exploration of stillness, solitude, and the passage of time.
The booth will also feature a group of historical works by key modern masters: Pablo Picasso, with unique engravings (bons à tirer) from 1968 and rare ceramic pieces; Tom Wesselmann, represented by Smoker Study (for Smoker #11) (1972); and Vivian Springford, with a vibrant painting from 1973.
The presentation will also include significant works by Heinz Mack - including a 1959 relief and a series of ceramics - Johan Creten, with the ceramic Odore di Femmina, and works by Christopher Le Brun, Minjung Kim, and Ha Chong-Hyun, among others.
Through this selection, Almine Rech highlights its ongoing dialogue between modern and contemporary creation, and between established masters and artists shaping the language of our time.
BRAFA 2026 - Almine Rech - Press file
Vidéo
Debut for Galerie Almine Rech at BRAFA 2026
Almine Rech joins BRAFA 2026 for the very first time, presenting a selection that bridges generations, movements, and artistic sensibilities.
In this interview, the Brussels gallery director reflects on the gallery’s vision, its international evolution, and the philosophy that continues to guide its programme.
At the heart of the presentation stands Crow (2025), a new kinetic sculpture by Belgian artist Hans Op de Beeck: a life-size bird suspended in motion, its slow, hypnotic wingbeats creating the illusion of flight. Mechanical yet hauntingly poetic, the work captures Op de Beeck’s contemplative reflections on time, solitude, and the stillness of being.
Surrounding this centrepiece, Almine Rech brings together modern masters and contemporary voices:
• Pablo Picasso — unique engravings (bons à tirer, 1968) and rare ceramics
• Tom Wesselmann — Smoker Study (for Smoker #11), 1972
• Vivian Springford — a luminous 1973 painting
• Heinz Mack — a 1959 relief and ceramic works
• Johan Creten — Odore di Femmina
• Christopher Le Brun, Minjung Kim, Ha Chong-Hyun, and others
This encounter of eras reflects the gallery’s defining ethos: a continuous dialogue between rigorous minimalism, perceptual experimentation, conceptual clarity, and contemporary expression.
Founded in Paris in 1989 with an exhibition by James Turrell, Almine Rech has grown into one of the most respected international galleries, with spaces in Paris, Brussels, New York, and Shanghai. Through long-term relationships with artists and estates—from Turrell, Kosuth, and Jeff Koons to Ha Chong-Hyun, Richard Prince, Ryoji Ikeda, and the estates of Picasso and Wesselmann—the gallery remains committed to artistic freedom, excellence, and the evolution of visual language.
🎥 Watch the full interview to discover how Almine Rech approaches its debut at BRAFA and what to expect in January 2026.
📍 BRAFA Art Fair 2026
🗓 25 January – 1 February
📍 Brussels Expo
🔗 www.brafa.art
Video by NOOT
BRAFA Principal Sponsor: Delen Private Bank
CONTACT
Brussels
Multiple locations
Rue de l’Abbaye 20
BE-1050 Brussels
A propos
Fondée à Paris en 1989 avec une exposition dédiée à l’œuvre Space Division de James Turrell, Almine Rech s’est imposée comme une galerie de renommée mondiale, reconnue pour son engagement envers les pratiques minimalistes, perceptuelles et conceptuelles. Ses premières collaborations avec des artistes tels que James Turrell, John McCracken et Joseph Kosuth ont confirmé sa réputation de rigueur et d’indépendance. Au fil des décennies, la galerie s’est stratégiquement développée à Bruxelles, New York et Shanghai, tout en maintenant sa forte présence historique à Paris. Chaque nouvel espace incarne une approche délibérée visant à approfondir les liens avec les artistes et les collectionneurs, tout en préservant la vision de la galerie. Le programme de la galerie est basé sur des relations durables avec des artistes tels que James Turrell, Joseph Kosuth, Jeff Koons, Ha Chong-Hyun, Richard Prince, Ryoji Ikeda et Larry Poons, ainsi qu’avec des successions comme celles de Pablo Picasso, Tom Wesselmann et Günther Förg. Une nouvelle génération d’artistes, dont Claire Tabouret, Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Chloe Wise, Vaughn Spann, Genesis Tramaine, Ewa Juszkiewicz, Ali Cherri et Oliver Beer, viennent apporter de nouvelles voix à ce dialogue, renforçant ainsi l’engagement de la galerie envers l’originalité et l’excellence en peinture, sculpture, installation et nouveaux médias. Almine Rech défend la liberté artistique en tant que force essentielle dans notre société. Sa mission consiste à soutenir les artistes avec clarté, cohérence et un engagement durable, en présentant des expositions dans ses espaces internationaux ainsi que dans des foires telles qu’Art Basel, TEFAF et Frieze. Par le biais d’Almine Rech Editions, la galerie crée également des éditions limitées, des catalogues et des monographies, contribuant ainsi à la préservation et à la diffusion d’un discours artistique critique.
Founded : 1989
Specialisations
Art moderne et contemporain
Fairs
ART021 – Shanghai, Art Paris, Art Basel, Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Basel Miami, Art Basel Paris, artmonte-carlo, Frieze London, Frieze Seoul, TEFAF New York, Tokyo Gendai, Frieze Los Angeles