Top Belgium Collector Cédric Liénart Shares His Must-See Works at Art Brussels
Together with his wife Cookie, Cedric Lienart de Jeude collects contemporary art, an interest of his for over 20 years. The former CEO of Sotheby’s Belgium, he is now associate director of Eeckman Art & Insurance and sits on the board of numerous art organizations.
In this selection, some artists were familiar to me while other ones were unknown. It’s also a mix between conceptual, figurative, and abstract works. These are eclectic choices, but that corresponds quite well to my sensibility. My bottom line is emotion.
My Selection:
Helmut Stallaerts, Emptiness replaces my soul, 2014, at Albert Baronian
This work has a strong personality; it is like its own strange and complex world.
Lucas Blalock, Ducks, 2014, at Galerie Rodolphe Janssen
Blalock is a great “painter”—he uses photography as his brush and pigments. This piece is surprising, innovative, destabilizing, and really strong.
El Anatsui, Intimation, 2014, at Axel Vervoordt Gallery
Anatsui is a generous artist whose works are varied and contrasted in their compositions. He creates a lot of sensualism, movement, and energy with the recycling of small waste. A marvel!
Fabrice Samyn, Untitled 2015, at Meessen De Clercq
Time hides a part of reality, as does twilight. In this piece, Samyn has partially polished an antique bronze mirror, giving us a new and contemporary vision of an old work while still paying it respect.
Claudio Parmiggiani, Senza titolo, 2015, at Meessen De Clercq
Here, presence is revealed by absence. Parmiggiani’s work, in which the smoke prints only negative traces of what exists, is magnificent in its concept and its realization.
Barthélémy Toguo, What’s Your Name, 2008, at Mario Mauroner Contemporary Art Salzburg-Vienna
Strong and fragile, this impressive work shows a lot of sensibility.
Nick van Woert, Crossection, 2014, at GRIMM
This piece shows the coexistence of multiple worlds and rigorous organization. It is a rich, creative, and structured work—well-balanced and imaginative.
Stef Driesen, Untitled, 2012, at Galerie Greta Meert
This work has a great sensibility and a real air of mystery. It emits subtle but strong vibrations.
Jacqueline Saccoccio, Portrait (Cosmic Baroque), 2015, at Eleven Rivington
This work is full of energy. It is visually well-balanced.
Keith J. Varadi, Hellion Flood , 2015, at Brand New Gallery
I like Varadi’s use of process painting. The paintings he makes often reveal the canvas, which is not only the support of the work but plays a major role in the final result.
