ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ugo Rondinone's Horizon Paintings and Sculptures in Two Brussels Galleries

exhibition · 2026-04-23

Ugo Rondinone presented two concurrent exhibitions in Brussels: at Galerie Almine Rech (November 18, 2011 – January 14, 2012) and Galerie Gladstone (November 18 – December 22, 2011). At Almine Rech, monumental horizon paintings filled the main hall, creating immersive mental landscapes. These works, part of his ongoing date paintings series, had not been shown solo since 1997. Rondinone describes them as an automatic, interior monologue. A side room featured 65 small-format watercolors exploring similar horizons in pastel tones. At Gladstone, Rondinone adapted to the intimate upper floor of a 20th-century townhouse by whitewashing the windows to isolate the space. He presented life-size bronze sculptures of crouching nude figures, their clothing seemingly detached from the body. The works evoke tragedy and solitude, contrasting with his more exuberant pieces. The exhibitions were reviewed by Bernard Marcelis.

Key facts

  • Ugo Rondinone exhibited at Galerie Almine Rech, Brussels from November 18, 2011 to January 14, 2012.
  • Ugo Rondinone exhibited at Galerie Gladstone, Brussels from November 18 to December 22, 2011.
  • At Almine Rech, monumental horizon paintings covered the entire main hall walls.
  • The horizon paintings are part of Rondinone's ongoing date paintings series.
  • These horizon paintings had not been shown in a solo exhibition since 1997.
  • Rondinone described the paintings as 'a monologue intérieur, un travail automatique'.
  • A side room at Almine Rech displayed 65 small-format watercolors of horizons.
  • At Gladstone, Rondinone whitewashed windows to isolate the space from the outside.
  • Gladstone exhibited life-size bronze sculptures of crouching nude figures.
  • The sculptures' clothing appears to detach from the bodies, made of the same material.
  • Bernard Marcelis reviewed the exhibitions.

Entities

Artists

  • Ugo Rondinone
  • Bernard Marcelis

Institutions

  • Galerie Almine Rech
  • Galerie Gladstone

Locations

  • Brussels
  • Belgium

Sources