2025 BRAFA Art Fair

31 January 2025Brussels, Belgium

As the oldest art fair in Europe and one of the most prestigious, BRAFA once again served as a unique gathering point for exhibitors, collectors, museums, foundations, art dealers, and art enthusiasts. This year, the fair showcased 130 international galleries spread across 21,000 m² in Brussels Expo’s Halls 3 and 4. From ancient masterpieces to modern and contemporary paintings, tribal art, Asian art, jewellery, and design, each exhibit has been meticulously examined to uphold the highest standards of quality in its field. As visitors wandered through the aisles, they embarked on a captivating journey through time, where diverse eras and artistic styles seamlessly converged, inspired, and created fascinating dialogues.

For its 70th edition, BRAFA was pleased to welcome Joana Vasconcelos as its guest of honour. Known for her vibrant, baroque, and thought-provoking sculptures, Vasconcelos’ monumental installations infused the fair with a festive and striking visual dynamism, further elevating the experience.

In addition, 2025 marks the beginning of a new partnership with the Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage (KIK-IRPA). Since its founding in 1948, KIK-IRPA has been a leading force in the study and preservation of cultural heritage. At their stand, visitors gained unparalleled insight into cutting-edge preservation technologies and attend daily workshops on how to care for artworks in their own homes.

Spotlight on the Future: BRAFA Arts Talks

Continuing their successful collaboration, the 2025 BRAFA Arts Talks featured a session curated by ENCATC – The European Network on Cultural Management and Policy, entitled: "Digital Renaissance: Blockchain, NFTs, and the Evolving Art Market Ecosystem". This engaging discussion brought together the expertise of ENCATC members from the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the University of Antwerp, the Creative Europe Culture Desk Flanders, ENCATC Ambassador Liliana Turoiu, and Adriano Picinati di Torcello, Global Arts and Finance Coordinator for Deloitte Group Luxembourg.

The Talk explored the profound digital revolution that has reshaped the art market, driven by the advent of blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Five years after the media frenzy ignited by the pandemic, this session reflected on the enduring impact of these cutting-edge technologies on the art market and, more broadly, on the cultural and creative industries.

Organised by ENCATC in partnership with BRAFA Art Fair and in collaboration with Creative Europe Culture Program Desk Flanders, Cultural Happy Hours were the occasion to kick-off 2025 with a fresh intake of inspiration, new ideas and contacts with colleagues from Brussels and beyond.