Brussels venues dedicated to photography - Are you ready for a close-up?

box galerie, established in Brussels since 2004, is run by Alain D'Hooghe, who has been dedicated to the study, promotion and dissemination of fine art photography since the 1980s. A true enthusiast, he has worked in every field related to the eighth art. His ambition is to act as a facilitator, forging links between the photographer and the collector, the exhibition visitor and the reader of a book. Indeed, in the bookshop area, you'll find a fine selection of works dedicated to the photographers represented, including limited editions and a few rare gems highly sought after by collectors. The gallery’s design - an intimate space bathed in white light - allows the exhibited works to take centre stage. Travel, as a means of understanding the world, is a recurring theme across the five to six annual exhibitions. Each of the selected artists possesses a distinct, instantly recognisable artistic vision. Their work is cohesive, thanks to a highly personal photographic style. For there is no formula for a good photographer or a good photograph. It is all about perspective.

102 chaussée de Vleurgat 1050 Ixelles

Stieglitz19 specialises in contemporary photography, with a focus on Chinese and Japanese artists. Dries Roelens' gallery is named after the American photographer and gallery owner Alfred Stieglitz, who was a prominent figure in the avant-garde circles of early 20th-century New York. He worked tirelessly to gain artistic recognition for photography, putting it on an equal footing with traditional arts. After establishing a solid reputation in Antwerp, opening a second location in Brussels was a natural step for Roelens. Stieglitz19 is located between avenue Louise and chaussée de Vleurgat, in a neighbourhood known for its artistic roots. Situated on the ground floor of a building with sober, modern architecture, the exhibition space is intimate and gives the works on display plenty of room to shine. With a sense of innovation and daring, the featured artists explore the potential of the medium of photography in works that are bursting with life and driven by a great thirst for freedom.

24 rue Saint Georges , 1050 Ixelles

You might have stumbled upon the statue of Jacques Brel at the historic, triangular little square called Vieille Halle aux Blés. But there’s plenty more to this square than meets the eye, for those who are fond of paying close attention. Behind one of its late baroque facades, at number 29, you’ll find Studio Baxton - La Maison de la Photographie Argentique. This place is entirely dedicated to analogue photography, with a particular focus on 19th-century photographic processes. At the studio, for instance, you can have painterly portraits taken using the intricate collodion process (the so-called wet plate). You can enjoy an initiation into the enchanting alchemy of historical photographic processes during one of the many workshops. Are you fond of vintage cameras (some are up to 150 years old!), super 8 films or a unique viewing book? Chances are you’ll find your fill in the boutique and bookshop/library. The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions of work by analogue photographers.

29 place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés, 1000 Bruxelles

The very first photograph was taken almost two centuries ago. You really feel that when you walk into TinyGallery. This 'tiny museum of amateur photography' is an exhibition space for old and new photographs. Each picture tells you a story. The images are surprisingly close, contemporary and daring. You can witness the most important events in the lives of humble people: the arrival in New York, a Sunday outing, a train journey. The permanent collection consists mainly of historical pictures from the United States. Besides various themed exhibitions, TinyGallery also organises regular workshops on old photographic techniques and digital arts. Founder Olivier Guyaux is surrounded by several international artists. They continue, each in their own way, the spirit of spontaneous expression. 

26 rue de la Cuve, 1050 Ixelles

Saint-Gilles now has a new, vibrant, approachable photo gallery-cum-studio, La Nombreuse. The collective was founded in September 2020 and the project is supported by a motley crew of photographers and visual artists, guided by art historian Charlotte Lalau. Téo Becher, Lucas Castel, Nicolas Catalano, Romain Cavallin, Martin Gallone, Solal Israel and Sarah Lowie join forces (and their considerable skills) to launch emerging contemporary photography talent. They aim to offer a springboard that bridges the gap between photography courses and cultural institutions, because they believe that "you don't learn everything during your studies". With innovative exhibitions, tours, free workshops and conferences, they are able to reach various target audiences. Be sure to check out their BeNombreuse magazine!

42 rue du Fort, 1060 Saint-Gilles

You’ll find Geopolis  on the first floor of the Ateliers des Tanneurs, an extraordinary, multipurpose venue in Brussels' Marolles neighbourhood. Ulrich Huygevelde and Thomas Kox – both passionate about geopolitics - founded this centre for photojournalism and education in 2017. By combining photo exhibitions and didactic exhibitions with events, podcasts and a radio programme, they aim to create discussions about today’s burning issues among a wide audience and young people. There is a need for explanation, analysis and reflection to understand the large flows of information about far-reaching geopolitical changes and climate issues. Both established photographers and young talent bring various pressing themes into focus. Ukraine has long been at the forefront, partly because of the expertise that both founders have built up in the region, but the Taliban, the decreasing freedom of the press, humanity’s waste problem and life in war and fragile peace have also featured.

58 rue des Tanneurs, 1000 Bruxelles

L'Enfant Sauvage, an exhibition and creation space dedicated to photography, is a 100% self-financed project, driven essentially by passion. Photographer Pauline Caplet opened the gallery in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis in July 2020. Having experienced how difficult it was for talented young artists and students to find a place to exhibit, she decided to open one herself. She is ideally placed to understand their needs. Showing local, Belgian and international photographers using various techniques, the programme does have a notable preference for analogue prints. Pauline works intuitively in a true "tribe of photography" spirit, creating an intimate exchange with a large and diversified public. Artist talks, workshops, screenings and book releases are also programmed throughout the year. The cherry on the cake is a little bookshop and many more projects in the pipeline!

23 rue de l’Enseignement, 1000 Bruxelles

Contretype was founded in 1978 by Jean-Louis Godefroid (1952-2013), almost a decade before Antwerp and Charleroi opened their photography museums. At that time, artistic photography was not yet valued as an art form. Reportage photography prevailed. After exhibiting in his flat for a while (Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney, Robert Mapplethorpe...), the centre moved into the renovated Hannon House until the end of 2014, and then into the Cité Fontainas (another prestigious building in Saint Gilles). Thanks to numerous collaborations with Belgian and international partners, many of the museum's activities are continuing outside of its walls. Contretype defines itself as an arts centre for the production, exhibition and distribution of auteur photography. Residencies for Belgian and international photographers provide the work for the permanent collection, which now includes work by some 40 artists. As a result, a finely woven portrait, of Brussels as a great place to live and create, is gradually taking shape.

4A, Cité Fontainas, 1060 Saint-Gilles

After it turned out that 80% of the exhibitions in Hangar revolved around photography, the arts centre decided to devote itself exclusively to this branch of art. With about 8 to 10 exhibitions a year, visitors are introduced to a wide selection of contemporary photographic work, without any limitations on genre, territory or working methods being placed on the medium. Through partnerships with art and photography schools, special attention and support is given to young talent. Hangar's flagship event is the PhotoBrussels Festival, the annual event dedicated to photography in our capital. Created by Delphine Dumont (who also runs Hangar), the festival is a prime example of the new dynamics that have developed around photography in Brussels in recent years. Located in a former car factory, the institution occupies a surface area of more than 1,000m². Plenty of room for exhibitions, a (photography) bookshop, lectures, workshops and various photography-related events.

18 place du Châtelain, 1050 Ixelles

Since opening in October 2012 in the former Bata factory, Fondation A Stichting has established itself as a must-visit venue for photography in Brussels. Exhibition after exhibition, it showcases genuine gems, including works by Helen Levitt, Henry Wessel, Graciela Iturbide, Guido Guidi and Brussels-based artist Vincen Beeckman. Founded by Astrid Ullens de Schooten Whettnall, the foundation is situated in a former industrial district. Today, alongside other local cultural organisations such as BRASS, P.A.R.T.S., WIELS and Galila’s P.O.C., the photography platform contributes to the vibrancy of the neighbourhood. Its aim: to make photography accessible to as many people as possible through ambitious exhibitions and the showcasing of an exceptional, highly documentary-based collection. The collection brings together powerful visual testimonies, such as the works of Walker Evans and Lewis Baltz – leading figures in contemporary photography who continue to provoke debate and reflection, which is exactly what the foundation strives for.

304 avenue Van Volxem, 1190 Forest