Founded 70 years ago, BRAFA is an annual eight-day art fair held at the Brussels Expo Hall in Belgium.

This year’s event, which took place from January 26 to February 2, featured 130 international galleries showcasing a diverse range of genres and mediums, including jewellery, glass, textiles, silver, in addition to Old Masters and contemporary art.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite pieces from the fair.

Artist Joana Vasconcelos was the guest of honor at BRAFA. Above is her hanging statue Valkyrie Leonie.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

https://www.joanavasconcelos.com

Man Ray,'s Chess Set, 1920-1962, was a nice move.

GALLERY

https://maruanimercier.com

This butterfly-like man (Batopillo by Panamarenko) reminds me of Yinka Shonibare's Refugee Astronaut at the 2024 Venice Biennale.

GALLERY

https://svhgallery.be

Max Ernst's La Grande Tortue bronze statue is always contemporary.

GALLERY

https://die-galerie.com

Wood sculptor Wang Keping created Ping Ping, this childlike piece in bronze.

GALLERY

https://www.nathalieobadia.com

Belgian galleries are known for their African art. This stand of Nigerian ritual figures -- curated by a French gallery -- particularly caught my eye.

GALLERY

https://www.galerieflak.com/en

I like Christo's plain package, entitled "Package on a Handtruck."

GALLERY

https://dezutterartgallery.com

Louise Nevelson’s painted steel sculpture, "Maquette for Sun Disc / Moon Shadow V," reminds me of Yayoi Kusama’s bronze shoes.

GALLERY

https://www.vonvertes.com/en

Of course Tom Wesselman wins it all as there is a huge retrospective of his works at the Paris Fondation Louis Vuitton.

GALLERY

https://svhgallery.be

IMAGES

Alice Lonfat-Chu