Half a century in the name of art – The Knokke Art Fair 2025

Half a century in the name of art – The Knokke Art Fair 2025

When the Belgian coast is bathed in late summer light, Knokke holds a festive tension that can only be experienced once a year: at the ceremonial opening of the Knokke Art Fair (KNAF). For fifty years, the fair has captivated art connoisseurs, collectors, and international galleries—and in 2025, it celebrates its sparkling 50th edition with a program that brings together contemporary art, tradition, and the future in an artistic dialogue.

From antiques to avant-garde

Started in 1976 by Gil and Chris Tuteleers as an exquisitely curated antiques market, the fair evolved in the early 1980s into a meeting place for modern and contemporary art. Their son, Alexander Tuteleers, has been leading this legacy at the Grand Casino Knokke for five years with a keen sense of current style and quality. This year, he bridges classical modernism with radically new forms of expression, pairing renowned artist names with exciting voices of a younger generation.

“We never wanted to stand still,” Alexander Tuteleers said at the anniversary reception. “Knokke should be a place where art history is written—both in retrospect and as a new beginning.”

Breakfast between collector passion and expertise

A highlight of the fair is the legendary breakfast for collectors and gallerists held on opening day in the light-filled salon of the Grand Casino. Silver trays, champagne by the glass, and discreet conversations about artworks, market trends, and new arrivals set the tone for three days of intense encounters. Networks are nurtured here, creating new connections between international collectors, curators, and art dealers. The intimate yet glamorous atmosphere makes it clear that KNAF is more than a fair: it is a social gathering, a forum for exchange, trust, and the quiet drama of major acquisitions.

International radiance – a kaleidoscope of styles

For the 50th edition, Knokke unites renowned galleries from around the world: Italy’s Galleria Immaginaria, Paris’s Laurence Pustetto Galerie, new art from Germany, and Mookji Art from South Korea. Their presentations reflect the diversity of the art market—from Hans Hartung’s informal compositions to Jeff Koons’s iconic sculptures; from Bernard Buffet’s atmospheric paintings to the bold works of new voices. The fair surprises with its dramaturgy: simple graphic lines alternate with colorful canvases, minimalist photography with expressive figuration, traditional craftsmanship with digital experiments. Walking through the halls feels like a play of concentration and ecstasy, intimate observation and overwhelming radiance.

LIGHTWORKS – a new resonance space

Particularly brilliant this year was LIGHTWORKS Fine Art Gallery. Founded by Dina Meier, the gallery specializes in photography, painting, and sculpture from the 20th century to the present. Their common denominator: works that move emotionally and invite dialogue with viewers. At Knokke, LIGHTWORKS demonstrated its philosophy impressively: images that tell stories, sculptures that command presence, painting that unites depth with openness. The selected works acted not just as exhibits but as mirrors of personal memories and longings. In collaboration with the renowned Galerie 94 in Baden, Switzerland, LIGHTWORKS also aims to build bridges between local collectors and a global audience. Knokke provided the perfect stage for this.

“Our artists should not only be seen but experienced,” Dina Meier said in an interview. “They create works that endure—beyond trends or short-term market movements.”

Exclusive moments, luxurious gestures

For the milestone anniversary, Knokke shone at its brightest: with luxurious shuttle services, personal welcomes, and invitations to partner events from Cirque du Soleil to SavoirFaire, the fair was surrounded by highlights extending beyond art. Details like the collectors’ breakfast or private evening dinners at the Grand Casino provided the fine balance of exclusivity and intimacy that has always distinguished KNAF.

Looking ahead

While Alexander Tuteleers is already considering the possible return of selected timeless antiques—not as interior fillers but as characterful individual pieces in a modern setting—this year’s KNAF embodies the essence of the fair: art remains movement, and movement is art.

A celebration full of style

The 50th Knokke Art Fair proved to be a luxurious salon, a hub for exchange and discovery, and a living narrative of half a century of European art and fair culture. Anyone walking through the halls felt not only the pulse of the market but also the magic of the moment: encounters with works that make you pause—and with people who bring them into the world.

Knokke 2025 is thus not just a fair. It is a distinctive cultural experience with international flair, social elegance, and lasting radiance—a jubilee to remember.

Author Lisa-Lesunja von Keyserling