Zeno X, giant of Belgian gallery scene, to close after 42 years – ARTnews.com

Photo by Peter Cox Eindhoven/Courtesy of Geno X

Zeno X, the Antwerp-based gallery that helped raise the profile of renowned artists from Luc Tuymans to Jack Whitten, is to close after 42 years in business, ceasing operations at the end of this year.

Since its founding in 1981 by Frank Demacht and Elian Brainert, Geno X has become a haven for painting and a juggernaut of the Belgian art scene.

The reason for the closure is not fully known. A The statement was released on social mediaThe gallery wrote, „Many health issues have exacerbated stress and strain.”

Its current roster includes artists such as N. Dash, Raul De Keyser, Yun-Fei Ji, Martin Margiela, Jockum Nordström and Patrick Van Caeckenbergh.

Many of the artists who have exhibited there have achieved representation with mega-galleries. De Keyser’s rare abstracts have been the subject of more than a dozen shows at Zeno X Gallery; The late artist is now represented by David Zwirner. Likewise, Tuymans and Marlene Dumas, whose figure paintings are muted in tone, appeared in solo shows at Zeno X in the 90s and beyond, before the artists became market sensations. Gallery since 2003.

Whitten, an American painter who was represented with Hauser & Wirth shortly before his death, had four solo shows at Zeno X in the 2010s. These were some of his first solo shows in Europe.

However, Xeno X has proven to be a pioneer with artists working in other media, such as sculptor Mark Manders and video artist Stan Douglas, who began holding solo shows at the gallery in the 90s.

Also, although the gallery is now known primarily for painting, it initially focused on architecture and installation, with architect Rem Koolhaas holding a show there in 1984. Demaegd said Gallery viewer Zeno X’s guiding principle at the outset was that „works of art must be avant-garde.”

Among those who have performed solo at Zeno X are Miriam Khan, Anton Corbijn, Dirk Brakeman and Mounira Al Sol.

„The past decades have been wonderful for Geno X Gallery,” the founders’ statement read. „With great pride and gratitude we look back at all the extraordinary exhibitions and the many encounters that inspired people around the world.”