Pierre Sterckx is a writer, art critic and Belgian teacher born on 19 February 1936 in Brussels and died on 2 May 2015 (aged 79) in Brussels.
Curator from G I, II, III
Curatorial Focus
The choice of works is very eclectic, open minded and based on several loose criteria . Paintings, sculptures and drawings by artists who have not yet reached the peak of their career. The first collections show a strong taste for baroque and conceptual works.
The group’s first acquisations were Tony Cragg’s Waldboden (1986) and Bill Woodrow’s The Light (1986).
Explore a selection of the G I -Collection
Carel Balth, born 1939 in Rotterdam (The Netherlands). Lived and worked in Vreeland (Utrecht) as Artist and Curator. He died on 10 July 2019 (aged 80) in Vreeland.
Curator of G IV from 2003 until 2007.
Curatorial Focus
The emergence of conceptual / monumental photo works by female artists.
Imagine: as a visual artist, you are involved with an enthusiastic group of enthusiasts.
Discussion about the latest international art initiatives as they present themselves at the slippery path of an art market that is still young to them.
Introduce and test ideas that could arise from a conceptual involvement withthe work processes of artists, gallery owners and co-collectors. More beautiful can Nope. Win win?
For the curious collector, this has to cover fascinating time paths as an additional advantage, a more conscious approach to one's own artistic development.
Erno Vroonen, born 1956 in Tongeren. Lives and works in München as independent Art Curator & Contemporary Art advisor.
Curator of G V from 2008 until 2013.
Curatorial Focus
Contemporary Art reflects the spirit of the times. In 2008, the Investment bank Lehmann Brothers New-York went bankrupt. Not just the financial world represents an extreme challenge. Art is also be questioned.
The choice of most works is inspired by the relationship between art and science on the one hand and the use of new techniques on the other. Also a social critical undertone can be recognized. Painting is marginally represented. Three-dimensional work is not only given priority but also the necessary space in the College of Europe. The historical framework with its high ceilings offers optimal possibilities.
Mostly male artists are bought, although initial steps are taken towards work of female artists. Eventually, 28 works were purchased during the five years G V.
André Gordts, born 1951 in Ukkel (Brussels). Lives and works in Brussels as Art Advisor.
Curator of G VI from 2013 until 2018.
Curatorial Focus
Observing the contemporary art market in 2013 we identified two spheres in which a balanced collection might be developed: due to the massive supply of very young artists arriving at the scene, already heavily priced by their galleries, prices for midcareer artists seemed rather moderate for an attractive quality.
That same argument applied for work by female artists which were until then partly ignored. Starting the collection in a certain way at random, we tried to direct subsequent acquisitions so as to constitute a balanced collection, cross-referencing the purchases.
Out of the 27 works that were bought 22 are by female artists. We insist the criteria used for these acquisitions were in the first place not sex-related, but based on the freshness of the underlying ideas and the way in which they expressed the zeitgeist.
Elena Soboleva, born 1987 in Russia. She lives and works in Chelsea (New York) and Brussels part of the year.
She is a Contemporary Art Specialist and is appointed as Director of Online Sales - David Zwirner.
Curator of G 7 from 2018 - 2022.
Curatorial Focus
The goal of the collection will be acquire leading contemporary and emerging artists and create a vision which authentically represents the current moment, while anticipating the future.
The Seventh Edition of Groeninghe will look to an international scope, reflecting the tensions artist are grappling with today, admits global upheaval. Three key themes will include: new conceptual narratives, identity politics 2.0 and focus on science/innovation. The themes are broad suggestions, and not intended to be prescriptive.
The artists range between the emerging and establised tiers, and combine strong conceptual sensibility with powerful formal qualities.
Udo Kittelmann, born 1958 in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. He lives and works in Berlin.
He is Independent Curator and Artistic Director of Museum Frieder Burda.
Curator of G 8 from 2023 - 2027
Curatorial Focus
Over the course of his long career, Kittelmann has investigated curatorial practices and institutions’ relationships with art. He focuses on the processes of art, and therefore its implicit laws and potential display configurations. He has based his curatorial approach on close collaboration with artists, setting up their works, moving beyond the aesthetic dimension and focusing on the artwork’s specific socio-political context.