Belgian Art & Diplomacy

The art collection is built up through purchases, donations and loans. Using an example of a recent revamped collection presentation, it is shown that art projects can be created by combining works of art from one's own collection in dialogue with works on loan. After this illustrative example, the following topics will be discussed:

• purchases;
• donations;
• loans.
   

Collection presentations

In 2011, the Belgian state acquired a new residence for Belgium's Permanent Representative to the European Union in Brussels. Contemporary artworks were integrated into this 1903 residence designed by architect Emile de Ligne in eclectic style with art nouveau elements in 2013. In 2024, with the arrival of the fourth occupant, it was time to review the collection presentation. Some artworks were repurposed and some others were added to the collection. The majority are artworks from the collection of the FPS of Foreign Affairs, supplemented by artworks on loan from the M HKA and the Flemish Community Collection. For this occasion, the publication was also updated, bundled under the title Home.

Purchases

Between 2010 and 2022, the FPS has pursued an active purchasing policy, linked to major construction and renovation projects. For new purchases, the emphasis is on contemporary art, mainly Belgian art and, after prospecting, also local artists. Work is carried out on a project basis. The Art Purchasing and Advisory Committee, made up of external experts and internal members of the organisation, plays a role in the prospecting and validation phases. The final results are ‘curated’ embassies and official residences. Some works of art were acquired in 2024 as part of the Belgian Presidency.

The FPS aims to raise the profile of its art collection. For the 2019 summer exhibition at the Egmont Palace, entitled ‘Art & Diplomacy’, the focus was for the first time on presenting works of art from its own collection. A publication of the same name has also been published in this context.

The publication lists 100 contemporary artists whose works feature in the FPS Foreign Affairs collection: Francis Alÿs - Nobuyoshi Araki - Carla Arocha-Abel Auer - Virginie Bailly - Sammy Baloji - Charlotte Beaudry - Charif Benhelima - Marcel Berlanger - Lieve Blancquaert - Guy Bleus - Delphine Boël - Sébastien Bonin - Mon Colonel & Spit - Berlinde De Bruyckere - Celine Butaye - Patrick Van Caeckenbergh - Sarah Carlier - Fia Cielen - David Claerbout - Sara Conti - Delphine Deguislage - Carl De Keyzer - Edith Dekyndt - Colin Delfosse - Ronny Delrue - Wim Delvoye - Alfred d’Ursel - Fred Eerdekens - Hadassah Emmerich - Thierry Falisse - Michel François - Lara Gasparotto - Kaif Ghaznavi -Tina Gillen - Shilpa Gupta - Mona Hatoum - Kati Heck - Ann Veronica Janssens - Viviane Joakim - Reina Saina Kallat - Nikita Kadan - Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga - Anish Kapoor -Marin Kasimir - Jean Katambayi Mukendi - Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven - An-Sofie Kesteleyn - Aglaia Konrad - Sophie Kuijken - Marie-Jo Lafontaine - Sophie Langhor - Corinne Lecot - Elisabeth Lecourt - Namsa Leuba - Emilio Lopez Menchereo - Mark Luyten - Sarah Van Marcke - Cécile Massart - Michäel Matthys - Marcelo Moscheta - Aimé Mpane - Johan Muyle - Maryam Najd - Otobong Nkanga - Aimé Ntakayica - Sophie Nys - Hans Op de Beeck - Goedele Peeters - Max Pinckers - Marina Pinsky - Tinka Pittoors - Benoît Platéus - Marie-Françoise Plissart - Bernard Queeckers - Kelly Schacht - Georges Senga - Stefan Serneels - Helmut Stallaerts - Bart Stolle - Elly Strik - Walter Swennen - Johan Tahon - Pascale Marthine Tayou - Ana Torfs - Luc Tuymans - Sarah Vanagt - Koen van den Broek - Maarten vanden Eynde - Carole Vanderlinden - Catherina Van Eetvelde - Rinus Van De Velde - Yves Velter - Angel Vergara - Pieter Vermeersch - Katrien Vermeire - Ana Vester - Leen Voet - Jeff Wall - Sophie Whettnall.
 

Invisible

The publication Invisible includes a selection of artworks by female artists. Due in part to their worldwide distribution in the semi-public spaces of Belgian diplomatic posts, these works of art have not been very visible until now. The FPS wants to show that diplomatic missions are used on a long-term basis as art spaces where women's voices are also seen and heard. Diverse voices play a role on the artistic and diplomatic scene. They contribute to dialogue and understanding in an ever-changing world. This publication is - needless to say - a work in progress. The publication was announced and distributed on International Women's Day, 8 March, 2022. Several Belgian diplomatic posts in the worldwide network of diplomatic posts have also communicated via social media about the works of art created by a female artist in their specific post.

Donations

The FPS Foreign Affairs can accept donations from third parties. These donations are always officially concluded (deed of gift) and the works of art are tested against the acquisition criteria.

Loans

In addition to acquiring and presenting its own collection of works of art, the FPS also borrows works of art from various loan partners. Long-term loans have been concluded with the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, the Flemish Community and the French Community.

The FPS itself also borrows works of art for exhibitions organised by third parties. Each loan request is carefully analysed to determine whether it can be granted. Given the distribution of the collection and the fact that the pieces in the collection are exhibited in representative locations, it is not always possible to make a work available to an external partner for a long period. Participation in an exhibition is highlighted in the exhibitions section.

During the webinar Art, Heritage & Diplomacy. Belgium and Spain: a case study, a collaboration between the Spanish Embassy in Brussels and the Belgian Embassy in Madrid, these loans were also discussed, including in the speech by the curator of the KMSKB and the speech by the curator of the FPS Foreign Affairs.