Jan Fabre faces sexual harassment trial in 2022 following dancer allegations

Belgian multidisciplinary artist Jan Fabre will stand trial in March and April 2022 on sexual harassment and indecent assault charges. A criminal tribunal in Antwerp ruled the 62-year-old faces up to five years imprisonment. The case stems from 2018 allegations by 20 dancers from Fabre's company Troubleyn, who described a toxic work environment where sexual acts were exchanged for performance opportunities. Dancers reported 'semi-secret' photographic sessions involving money and drugs offers. Fabre has denied intentionally intimidating or harming people psychologically or sexually, with his lawyer stating media portrayals don't reflect reality. Since the allegations emerged, some institutions have removed Fabre's work, including a cancelled Belgian exhibition and a sculpture withdrawn from an Antwerp museum. His work continues to appear internationally, featured at the 2021 Venice dance biennale and scheduled for the Thailand Biennale.