Antwerp kicks off the Ensor Year in style with four must-see exhibitions

In September, Antwerp will take the baton from Ostend. Antwerp honours Belgian artist James Ensor with four diverse, world-class exhibitions. These exhibitions will brilliantly showcase how Ensor continues to inspire today's contemporary artists. Starting Saturday 28 September, visitors can dive into the creative genius of Ensor. ​ 

Antwerp celebrates the multifaceted talent of James Ensor. ​ Four must-see exhibitions at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA), Museum Plantin-Moretus, FOMU and Fashion Museum (MoMu) offer a fresh perspective on Ensor’s timeless works, many of which found their way to Antwerp during his lifetime. These exhibitions highlight how Ensor's work continues to inspire contemporary photography, fashion, and make-up today. ​ 

IN YOUR WILDEST DREAMS. ENSOR BEYOND IMPRESSIONISM. ​ 

KMSKA 28.09.24 - 19.01.25 ​ 

At KMSKA, visitors will discover how Ensor shattered the rules of art and boldly rewrote them, forever changing the creative landscape. Ensor was not a fan of French impressionism. But anything gruesome, grotesque, whimsical, or humorous was right up his alley. That is the point at which both his and our ‘wildest dreams’ begin. You will encounter Ensor's own masterpieces from around the globe alongside works by the international artists he sought to rival. Ultimately, Ensor always aspired to be the best. Even when his competitors included Édouard Manet and Edvard Munch. 

The museum has the largest and most diverse Ensor collection in the world. Additionally, the Ensor Research Project, a knowledge centre dedicated to the modern master, is also based here. This makes KMSKA the perfect venue to bring to life the grand vision of Ensor's wildest dreams. 

ENSOR'S STATES OF IMAGINATION. 

MUSEUM PLANTIN-MORETUS 28.09.24 - 19.01.25 ​ 

With Ensor's States of Imagination, Museum Plantin-Moretus presents a remarkable graphic adventure. In his early artistic journey, Ensor passionately explored etching techniques for several years. With predecessors such as Rembrandt in the back of his mind, Ensor embarked on a quest that was entirely his own. His studio became a testing lab for experiments, in which chance sometimes also played a part. 

CINDY SHERMAN  

FOMU 28.09.24 - 02.02.25 ​ 

FOMU presents the first major solo exhibition of American artist Cindy Sherman in Belgium. Featuring over 100 works from the 1970s to the present, the exhibition offers a thorough overview of her career as a prominent contemporary artist. Similar to Ensor, Sherman is recognised for her critical commentary on social conventions through the use of masquerade. 

MASQUERADE, MAKE-UP & ENSOR ​ 

Fashion Museum, 28.09.24 to 02.02.25 ​ 

MoMu celebrates fashion's painters in a multimedia exhibition that showcases the artistic prowess of make-up and hair artists, where light, colour, art, fashion, and make-up converge. Masquerade, Make-up & Ensor examines how closely make-up is intertwined with various facets of our humanity. ​ ​ 

Surprising walking route 

Antwerp illustrators have also drawn inspiration from James Ensor's life and work, embracing his legacy in their own creations. Their quirky creations weave together a captivating walking route of 22 display cases that link the four exhibitions. ​ 

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