Dirk Snauwaert: The Internationalist Behind Wiels
Dirk Snauwaert, director of Wiels in Brussels, is a key figure in Belgium's museum landscape, distinguished by his international career. After starting at the Palais des beaux-arts de Bruxelles, he led the Kunstverein Munich (1996-2001) and co-directed the IAC Villeurbanne with Jean-Louis Maubant. Since 2005, he has overseen Wiels, a contemporary art center in a 1930s modernist industrial building. His inaugural 2007 exhibition 'Expats/clandestines' featured artists like Saâdane Afif, Francis Alÿs, and Chen Zhen, focusing on displacement. Wiels' international residency program has hosted over 60 artists, with 70% staying in Brussels. Snauwaert curated the Belgian pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009 with Jef Geys. He also organizes the triennial 'Un-Scene' exhibition highlighting Belgian emerging art. Notable exhibitions at Wiels include Mike Kelley, Félix Gonzalez-Torres, and Alina Szapocznikow. Snauwaert is known for his political acumen and thematic, non-monographic approach.
Key facts
- Dirk Snauwaert has been director of Wiels in Brussels since 2005.
- He previously directed the Kunstverein Munich (1996-2001) and co-directed IAC Villeurbanne.
- Wiels opened in 2007 with the exhibition 'Expats/clandestines'.
- The residency program has hosted over 60 artists, with 70% remaining in Brussels.
- Snauwaert curated the Belgian pavilion at the 53rd Venice Biennale in 2009.
- He organizes the triennial 'Un-Scene' for Belgian emerging artists.
- Notable exhibitions at Wiels include Mike Kelley, Félix Gonzalez-Torres, and Alina Szapocznikow.
- Snauwaert was born in Tielt, Belgium in 1963.
Entities
Artists
- Dirk Snauwaert
- Jan Hoet
- Willy Vanden Bussche
- Flor Bex
- Georges Vercheval
- Laurent Busine
- Bernard Marcadé
- André Cadere
- Saâdane Afif
- Francis Alÿs
- Nairy Baghramian
- Gabriel Kuri
- Moshekwa Langa
- Chen Zhen
- Simon Thompson
- Willem Oorebeek
- Mike Kelley
- Simon Starling
- Kelly Walker
- Bruno Serralongue
- Félix Gonzalez-Torres
- Wangechi Mutu
- Rosemarie Trockel
- Jeremy Deller
- Leigh Ledare
- Alina Szapocznikow
- Luc Tuymans
- David Claerbout
- Sven Augustijnen
- Ann Veronica Janssens
- Joëlle Tuerlinckx
- Jef Geys
- David Lamelas
- Claude Cahun
- Fareed Armaly
- Johan Grimomprez
- Allan Sekula
- William Kentridge
- Jimmie Durham
- Heimo Zobernig
- Pierre Huyghe
- Rodney Graham
- Melik Ohanian
- Anri Sala
- Bernard Marcelis
Institutions
- Wiels
- SMAK
- Mu.ZEE
- Muhka
- Musée de la Photographie à Charleroi
- MAC’s
- Palais des beaux-arts de Bruxelles
- Kunstverein Munich
- Institut d’art contemporain de Villeurbanne (IAC)
- Frac Rhône-Alpes
- Biennale de Venise
- Van Haerents collection
- Maison particulière
- CAB
Locations
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Ghent
- Ostend
- Antwerp
- Charleroi
- Grand Hornu
- Munich
- Germany
- Villeurbanne
- France
- Tielt
- Gand
- Bruges
- Venice
- Italy
Sources
- artpress —