ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Michel François: Belgium's Glaneur at Venice Biennale

artist · 2026-04-23

Michel François, representing Belgium at the Venice Biennale alongside Ann Veronica, approaches the seemingly hopeless state of contemporary art—where practice is condemned to re-experience and drudgery, and modernity has left only emptiness—as an opportunity. Working like a gleaner, he gathers objects both fabricated and collected, which he considers 'residues, what remains of an activity, an experience.'

Key facts

  • Michel François represents Belgium at the Venice Biennale.
  • He is paired with Ann Veronica.
  • François views the current art situation as an opportunity.
  • He describes modern art as condemned to re-experience and drudgery.
  • Modernity has left only emptiness as inheritance.
  • François works like a gleaner, collecting objects.
  • He gathers both fabricated and collected objects.
  • He calls these objects 'residues' of activity or experience.

Entities

Artists

  • Michel François
  • Ann Veronica

Institutions

  • Biennale di Venezia

Locations

  • Venice
  • Italy

Sources