"BRUNEAF" BRUSSELS NON EUROPEAN ART FAIR jUNE 9TH-12TH 2005
On the first day of the show there was a commotion at an African Dealer's gallery on Rue Guenegaud. There were police cars and a lot of arguing that afternoon. Apparently what happened was while the dealer was speaking with a pair of clients, an African runner handed his business card to the couple. The dealer immediately asked the man to leave. When the man refused an argument ensued. Then, the dealer, who had a background in boxing punched the man in the face! The police came shortly after and then it was business as usual.
Joseph Gerena in his gallery on 33 Rue des Minimes. Joe sells the most diverse tribal art in the business. This time he was even showing some old Military items which fit into the theme he was doing. One of his featured pieces was a 19th c. Alaskan Eskimo wooden hunting visor with applied Sea Lion whiskers and applied seal ivory amulets.
Patrick Mestdagh showing customers a Pende Ivory Mask in his crowed gallery on 31 Rue des Minimes
Marc Felix with a grouping of very impressive Lega Masks from his successful Mask exhibit from the Maniema Area of the Congo in the background
Patrick Claes has many people wondering where on earth his is finding African Art of this quality?? On the main floor of this gallery he takes a minimalistic approach and shows only a "handful" of pieces, perhaps just 6 or 7! This is very effective and the observer can completely focus and give attention to one piece at a time. However, each piece he shows is typically a "knockout" and is sold not long after opening night. Continued success to you Patrick!
Cafe on Impasse St. Jacques
The Godfather of the Sablon, Peirre Dartevelle in his gallery on 8 Impasse Saint Jacques
Street Scene in front of Marc Felix's Gallery (Left to Right: Patrick Morgan, Patrick Claes, Marc Felix
Buyer beware. If you're visiting the Sablon area of Brussels for the first time you should know that dubious shops like these selling fakes and reproductions from all cultures are dotted around the Sablon.
Joris Visser standing in front of his newly renovated "second" gallery on 67 rue Lebeau. His Nigerian Mama mask featured in the Bruneaf catalog is seen in the display.
A fine Papuan Gulf figure also offered by Joris Visser
As mentioned in the previous year's show review, the cigarette and cigar smoke is significant at Bruneaf. If you're sensitive to second hand smoke this will be an issue for you, as there is no getting away from it. Not anywhere! The good new is that Patrick Mestdagh is working on having all of the galleries "nonsmoking" in a couple years. It is a big task but an important one for nonsmokers.
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