Didier Claes
In 2002, after several years participating in many art fairs, Didier Claes opened his first gallery dedicated to Ancient African Art. Initially located in the lively Sablon district, in Brussels, the gallery then moved to the Avenue Louise area, where it still remains to this day. The art dealer has always devoted himself to presenting high quality works of art from important Western collections.
Didier Claes
In 2002, after several years participating in many art fairs, Didier Claes opened his first gallery dedicated to Ancient African Art. Initially located in the lively Sablon district, in Brussels, the gallery then moved to the Avenue Louise area, where it still remains to this day. The art dealer has always devoted himself to presenting high quality works of art from important Western collections.
African Art
14 Rue de l’Abbaye, Ixelles
Bruxelles, 1050, BE
contact@didierclaes.com
+32 (0)2 414 19 29
Ngbandi Mask
Wood – 36cm – Early 20th century
Democratic Republic of Congo
Provenance:
Auction, Galerie Modern
Former collection Gustave Chauveau. Brussels, before 1950
Former collection François et Antoine Chauveau. Brussels, 1950-1982
Emile Deletaille. Brussels, 1982
Private collection. 1983-2005
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Interview with Didier Claes ~ Director
Didier Claes in his gallery © Bernard de Keyzer
Interview by Pauline Loeb-Obrenan, founder of artfairmag.
Didier Claes is one of the most widely renowned specialists in the domain of ancient African art. In addition to being the director of his own gallery, he is Chairman of BRUNEAF, Vice-Chairman of BRAFA and member of several Chambers of antiquarians. I had the chance to speak with Didier about his career path, his gallery, his clients and to clarify the concept of African art.
artfairmag: Didier, for those who don’t know you yet, who are you and how did you get to African art?
Didier Claes: I was born in Congo to a Congolese mother and a Belgian father. I grew up in Kinshasa and arrived in Belgium 30 years ago. I was immersed in a milieu of art dealers and anthropologists, and from my childhood I frequented the art world from Kinshasa to Brussels, a period when the last works of art from Africa were being removed from their territory of origine.
artfairmag: My question may seem naive, but what exactly is African Art? Is it linked to a geographical area, a period, a culture?
D. C.: African art is an art with no trace of ego, without signature, an art from anonymous artists. Pieces are not works of art but common objects, commemorative works. In spite of that, they are of a great realization and very often the result of a great mastery.
artfairmag: What is your core specialty within African Art and how do you find the pieces you sell?
D. C.: I am specialized in the art of the Congo but also of all Black Africa. I buy the objects from large collections – colonial and private – but also on the art market (public sales, colleagues etc.).
“African art is an art with no trace of ego, without signature, an art from anonymous artists.”
artfairmag: Twentieth-century African studies demonstrate that art in Africa needs to be understood in African terms, rather than from a European worldview. As an Occiental art dealer, do you focus solely on the aesthetic value of the artworks or do you also offer an ethnographic reading to your collectors?
D. C.: Aesthetics is crucial since it was collectors see at the first glance. But the ethnographic knowledge brings a lot of information and helps us understand the meaning of an artwork and why it was created. Each and every pieces that I sale combine these two aspects.
artfairmag: Speaking about clients, are they more institutions or private collectors? Is there a typical African art buyer or a real variety in the profiles?
D. C.: The customer base has changed a lot in recent years.Institutions remain strong in the art market and continue to acquire pieces, but the largest percentage remains collectors, mainly European and American. They are younger and younger and most often come from the field of contemporary and modern art.
artfairmag: With the current health crisis, the art world has been forced to enter the digital age. Do you think this will continue over time and force your profession to evolve?
D. C.: The health crisis has raised a lot of questions and we had to be very inventive to deal with them. I think that social networks are a wonderful communication platform but that digitalization – although necessary – will never replace the human contact that is specific to the art market.
artfairmag: To conclude this interview, could you present us an artwork – which may or may not come from your gallery – that is special to you?
D. C.: I chose this Ngbandi mask which is one of the most famous masks of the art of Congo and certainly one of the most important. It was exhibited for the first time during the 1958 Brussels Universal Exhibition. It belonged to several famous art dealers and I was lucky enough to buy it and then sell it recently to a major collector.
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Art Basel Miami Beach… without me! Sadly stuck in Paris due to last-minute medical reasons, but that won’t stop me from sharing some gems I had already spotted 💎
Particularly excited about New York-based @galerianararoesler showcasing a diverse array of Brazilian artists, and more. I was also eagerly anticipating Louise Bonnet’s grand tapestry at @galeriemaxhetzler’s booth, and the solo show of @francofontanaphotographer at @polkagalerie. Then, my curiosity was piqued to see @jasonboydkinsella’s work in person at @perrotin, with his almost architectural interplay of volumes.
Though I can’t be there to experience @artbasel Miami Beach firsthand, I’m looking forward to living vicariously through your posts and stories. Keep me updated!
💜Thank you @mercerbyedith for the stunning outfit… your boutique is a wonderland of treasures!
▪️@jr, Hands, Composition #9, 2022 @galerianararoesler
▪️@elianalmeidaaa, Logradouro II, 2023 @galerianararoesler
▪️@marco.a.castillo, Wakamba 12, 2023. @galerianararoesler
▪️@andre_griffo, Farm Management Instructions 9, 2023. @galerianararoesler
▪️@vikmuniz, The Lake after Tarsila do Amaral, 2023
@galerianararoesler
▪️@fabio_miguez, Untitled (Martini), 2023 @galerianararoesler
▪️Louise Bonnet, L’Etang, 2023 @galeriemaxhetzler
▪️@francofontanaphotographer, Landscape, Basilicata, 1975. @polkagalerie ▪️@jasonboydkinsella, Calouche, 2023. @perrotin
#artbasel #artbaselmiamibeach #paris #eiffeltower #toureiffel #contemporaryart #marypoppins #picoftheday #artoftheday #artofinstagram #ootd
Dec 5
Art Basel Miami Beach… without me! Sadly stuck in Paris due to last-minute medical reasons, but that won’t stop me from sharing some gems I had already spotted 💎
Particularly excited about New York-based @galerianararoesler showcasing a diverse array of Brazilian artists, and more. I was also eagerly anticipating Louise Bonnet’s grand tapestry at @galeriemaxhetzler’s booth, and the solo show of @francofontanaphotographer at @polkagalerie. Then, my curiosity was piqued to see @jasonboydkinsella’s work in person at @perrotin, with his almost architectural interplay of volumes.
Though I can’t be there to experience @artbasel Miami Beach firsthand, I’m looking forward to living vicariously through your posts and stories. Keep me updated!
💜Thank you @mercerbyedith for the stunning outfit… your boutique is a wonderland of treasures!
▪️@jr, Hands, Composition #9, 2022 @galerianararoesler
▪️@elianalmeidaaa, Logradouro II, 2023 @galerianararoesler
▪️@marco.a.castillo, Wakamba 12, 2023. @galerianararoesler
▪️@andre_griffo, Farm Management Instructions 9, 2023. @galerianararoesler
▪️@vikmuniz, The Lake after Tarsila do Amaral, 2023
@galerianararoesler
▪️@fabio_miguez, Untitled (Martini), 2023 @galerianararoesler
▪️Louise Bonnet, L’Etang, 2023 @galeriemaxhetzler
▪️@francofontanaphotographer, Landscape, Basilicata, 1975. @polkagalerie ▪️@jasonboydkinsella, Calouche, 2023. @perrotin
#artbasel #artbaselmiamibeach #paris #eiffeltower #toureiffel #contemporaryart #marypoppins #picoftheday #artoftheday #artofinstagram #ootd
@galeriesandrablum at @start.strasbourg 2023. Founder Sandra Blum presents a ink by @thomashenrioth.
#inkonpaper #inkwork #contemporaryart #ink #artworkoftheday #artistsoninstagram #artcollector #thomashenriot #abstractart
Dec 3
@galeriesandrablum at @start.strasbourg 2023. Founder Sandra Blum presents a ink by @thomashenrioth.
#inkonpaper #inkwork #contemporaryart #ink #artworkoftheday #artistsoninstagram #artcollector #thomashenriot #abstractart
@guillaume.bresson at @galerieobadia. You have to see this stunning exhibition featuring 8 breathtaking paintings exploring the theme of falling. I love the way Guillaume Bresson takes inspiration from classical painting codes and techniques while bringing an incredibly contemporary touch to it.
Not to be missed under any circumstances!
Galerie Nathalie Obadia, 3 rue du Cloître Saint-Merri, 75003 Paris.
18 November 2023 - 13 January 2024
#guillaumebresson #nathalieobadia #chiaroscuro #clairobscur #caravage #caravaggio #contemporarypainting #amazingart #artlover #artcurator #artcurators
Dec 1
@guillaume.bresson at @galerieobadia. You have to see this stunning exhibition featuring 8 breathtaking paintings exploring the theme of falling. I love the way Guillaume Bresson takes inspiration from classical painting codes and techniques while bringing an incredibly contemporary touch to it.
Not to be missed under any circumstances!
Galerie Nathalie Obadia, 3 rue du Cloître Saint-Merri, 75003 Paris.
18 November 2023 - 13 January 2024
#guillaumebresson #nathalieobadia #chiaroscuro #clairobscur #caravage #caravaggio #contemporarypainting #amazingart #artlover #artcurator #artcurators
@dejonckheerefineart at @fabparisfair 2023. @lauradejonckheere presents a painting by Pieter Brughel the Younger from 1627.
#pieterbrughel #fabparis #antiquepainting #flemishpainting #oldmaster #oldmasterpaintings #oldmasters #brughel #artworkoftheday #artgallery #artofinstagram
Nov 30
@dejonckheerefineart at @fabparisfair 2023. @lauradejonckheere presents a painting by Pieter Brughel the Younger from 1627.
#pieterbrughel #fabparis #antiquepainting #flemishpainting #oldmaster #oldmasterpaintings #oldmasters #brughel #artworkoftheday #artgallery #artofinstagram
@douwesfineart at @pan_amsterdam 2023. @evertdouwes presents a painting by #jeanpierrecassigneul @cassigneul_official.
#panamsterdam #contemporaryart #figurativeart #figurativepainting #artgallery #artworkofinstagram #paintingoftheday #colorfulart
Nov 28
@douwesfineart at @pan_amsterdam 2023. @evertdouwes presents a painting by #jeanpierrecassigneul @cassigneul_official.
#panamsterdam #contemporaryart #figurativeart #figurativepainting #artgallery #artworkofinstagram #paintingoftheday #colorfulart
@wiloandgrove at @start.strasbourg 2023. Co founder @fannysaulay presents a watercolor by @raphaele_ele.
#raphaeleanfre #watercolour #watercolor #womanartist #contemporaryart #emergingartist #artmarket #artgallery #colorfulpainting #feminineart
Nov 27
@wiloandgrove at @start.strasbourg 2023. Co founder @fannysaulay presents a watercolor by @raphaele_ele.
#raphaeleanfre #watercolour #watercolor #womanartist #contemporaryart #emergingartist #artmarket #artgallery #colorfulpainting #feminineart
@galerielouissack at @fabparisfair 2023. Co founder @rebekasack presents a painting by #hisaodomoto from 1966.
#fabparis #japaneseartist #postwar #modernart #moderjapaneseart #modernartist #postwarart #japanesemodernart #artgallery #pierresoulages
Nov 26
@galerielouissack at @fabparisfair 2023. Co founder @rebekasack presents a painting by #hisaodomoto from 1966.
#fabparis #japaneseartist #postwar #modernart #moderjapaneseart #modernartist #postwarart #japanesemodernart #artgallery #pierresoulages
📣1 minute in the booth at @start.strasbourg 2023!
▪️Will & Grove: Paris
@wiloandgrove
▪️Sandra Blum
@galeriesandrablum
▪️Guy Peters Gallery: Knokke-Heist
@guypietersgallery
▪️Galerie PJ: Metz
@galerie.pj
▪️Kraemer Gallery: Strasbourg
@kraemer.gallery
#artfair #artgallery #contemporaryart #christo #artcurator #artist
Nov 25
📣1 minute in the booth at @start.strasbourg 2023!
▪️Will & Grove: Paris
@wiloandgrove
▪️Sandra Blum
@galeriesandrablum
▪️Guy Peters Gallery: Knokke-Heist
@guypietersgallery
▪️Galerie PJ: Metz
@galerie.pj
▪️Kraemer Gallery: Strasbourg
@kraemer.gallery
#artfair #artgallery #contemporaryart #christo #artcurator #artist
@galeriearianecy at @pan_amsterdam 2023. Founder Ariane presents a wall ceramic sculpture by @samuelyal.
#artfair #samuelyal #contemporaryart #contemporaryceramics #ceramicart #ceramicartist #emergingartist #artcurator
Nov 24
@galeriearianecy at @pan_amsterdam 2023. Founder Ariane presents a wall ceramic sculpture by @samuelyal.
#artfair #samuelyal #contemporaryart #contemporaryceramics #ceramicart #ceramicartist #emergingartist #artcurator
@start.strasbourg 2023! I’m taking you to St-ART a very qualitative regional art fair, buzzing with young talents, alongside very established artists. A true gem to visit until Sunday!
24-26 November 2023, Strasbourg.
Here are the artists and galeries in order of appearance:
▪️@crespinrm at @galeriesandrablum
▪️@Philippe Dutilleul at @galerie_decorde
▪️@ej_phidut at Galerie Don Carli
▪️@amelie_dauteur_art at @wiloandgrove
▪️@alfrenoartist at @heart_gallery_paris
▪️@brookedidonato at @quandlesfleursnoussauvent
Thank you @laureplusmax for the gorgeous graphic jumpsuit 🖤
#artfair #establishedartist #contemporaryart #emergingartist #emergingart #youngtalent #artcollector #strasbourg #strasbourgevent #artlover #artenthousiasts
Nov 23
@start.strasbourg 2023! I’m taking you to St-ART a very qualitative regional art fair, buzzing with young talents, alongside very established artists. A true gem to visit until Sunday!
24-26 November 2023, Strasbourg.
Here are the artists and galeries in order of appearance:
▪️@crespinrm at @galeriesandrablum
▪️@Philippe Dutilleul at @galerie_decorde
▪️@ej_phidut at Galerie Don Carli
▪️@amelie_dauteur_art at @wiloandgrove
▪️@alfrenoartist at @heart_gallery_paris
▪️@brookedidonato at @quandlesfleursnoussauvent
Thank you @laureplusmax for the gorgeous graphic jumpsuit 🖤
#artfair #establishedartist #contemporaryart #emergingartist #emergingart #youngtalent #artcollector #strasbourg #strasbourgevent #artlover #artenthousiasts
📣 1 minute in the booth at @fabparisfair 2023!
▪️De Jonckheere Gallery: Geneva
@dejonckheerefineart
▪️Galerie Léage: Paris
@galerieleage
▪️Louis & Sack: Paris
@galerielouissack
▪️Desmet Fine Art: Brussels
@desmetgallery
▪️Galerie Christophe Gaillard: Paris
@galeriechristophegaillard
▪️Camille Sourget Bookshop: Paris
@librairiecamillesourget
▪️Galerie Monbrison: Paris
@galeriemonbrison
▪️Galerie Ludorf: Düsseldorf
@galerieludorff
#fabparis #artfair #artdealer #modernart #antiqueart #contemporaryart #artcurator #artofinstagram #instaart #artoftheday
Nov 23
📣 1 minute in the booth at @fabparisfair 2023!
▪️De Jonckheere Gallery: Geneva
@dejonckheerefineart
▪️Galerie Léage: Paris
@galerieleage
▪️Louis & Sack: Paris
@galerielouissack
▪️Desmet Fine Art: Brussels
@desmetgallery
▪️Galerie Christophe Gaillard: Paris
@galeriechristophegaillard
▪️Camille Sourget Bookshop: Paris
@librairiecamillesourget
▪️Galerie Monbrison: Paris
@galeriemonbrison
▪️Galerie Ludorf: Düsseldorf
@galerieludorff
#fabparis #artfair #artdealer #modernart #antiqueart #contemporaryart #artcurator #artofinstagram #instaart #artoftheday
@bail_art partner of @fabparisfair! Clara Pagnussatt, live from the Grand Palais Éphémère, presents the service of art leasing Bail Art is offering to the participating galleries. Thank you Clara 🙏🏻
#artleasing #artrenting #fabparis #artfair #artgallery #artparis #grandpalaisephemere #artcollector #contemporaryart #antiqueart #modernart #fineart
Nov 22
@bail_art partner of @fabparisfair! Clara Pagnussatt, live from the Grand Palais Éphémère, presents the service of art leasing Bail Art is offering to the participating galleries. Thank you Clara 🙏🏻
#artleasing #artrenting #fabparis #artfair #artgallery #artparis #grandpalaisephemere #artcollector #contemporaryart #antiqueart #modernart #fineart