urn:uuid:a2244d18-4a07-788e-c7e1-1944ec645043 2026-04-03T23:17:04+02:00 Comic Art Museum - Brussels urn:uuid:4a49ce06-9848-6747-a0fb-4479a457aa3d 2026-01-29T15:20:18+01:00

The decision to devote a major event to Chinese comic strips one day was a longstanding wish, today realised by the exhibition “A Panorama of Chinese Comic Strips”. With the backing of the Chinese authorities, this key event showcases the extraordinary richness of an art which covers several genres, from calligraphy and illustrated legend to japanese manga. It has been several years in the making, necessitating a number of research trips, and would not have been possible without the participation of the “China Arts and Entertainment Group”. It answers some simple questions: What do the Chinese read? Do they read comic strips? Is this art just as popular in Beijing as it is in Brussels? The oldest illustrated Chinese book was printed by wood block in the year 868, well before Gutenberg invented the printing press, however manhua (Chinese comic strips), like its Belgian counterpart, did not really take off until the first half of the 20th century. Mr Wang, the first Chinese comic strip hero to make a regular appearance, was born in 1929, the same year as Tintin. And China’s most famous comic strip character, San Mao, was created in 1935, the year of first publication of The Blue Lotus, which recounts Tintin’s adventures in China. However, Chinese comic strip culture also has the lianhuanhua, which originates from an ancient tradition of telling stories in pictures. These small volumes, measuring 12.5 x 10 cm, were created for the ordinary people. Each told a complete story, with an illustration and narrative on every page and were often printed in millions of copies. Although the printing quality was poor, their illustrations were often genuine little masterpieces. At the dawn of the 21st century, when China opened up to the world, Chinese authors found new sources of inspiration in European, American and Japanese comic strips and adopted the storyboard with dialogue in each small box. While adult fans took an interest in western-style comic strips, the younger generations, who had been brought up on Japanese cartoons, found a passion for Manga. Regardless of the genre, it is always the most talented authors in both China and Western Europe who end up making their mark. When you consider that China has a population of 1.3 billion, there is every likelihood that you will discover some of the best authors on the planet in this exhibition. Curators: JC De la Royère and LUO Yiping.In collaboration with China Arts and Entertainment Group and with the Support of the Brussels-Capital Region and the Chinese Embassy in Belgium.

urn:uuid:7d307750-bbd2-a2ea-8640-69f7f17b6677 2026-01-28T11:27:58+01:00

Claude Renard has left an indelible mark on Belgian comic book history. Yet he is not so well known to the general public. He was an illustrator, sculptor, graphic designer, designer, scenographer and set and costume designer for theatre, but above all he was the extraordinary inspirer of the Atelier R in St-Luc Brussels. There, in the 1970s, he trained an exceptional generation of comic book creators, whom he introduced to the world in the legendary magazine Le 9è Rêve.Six years after his death, his son Romain, together with Thierry Bellefroid, is reviving the worlds of this aesthete, whose whole life was a work of art. From his bustling studio that he transformed into a cabinet of curiosities to the furniture of his home, from the graphic design of his covers to the posters for his shows, from futuristic comics to history books, from his mineral sculptures to his fascination with Galileo, from his multifarious collections to his countless tools, Claude Renard is elusive. Like the exhibition showcasing his work, he is both whole and fragmented.With contributions from former students of Atelier R, published in Le 9è Rêve, including François Schuiten, Andréas, Sokal, Berthet, Chantal De Spiegeleer, Séraphine, Foerster, Alain Goffin, Anne Baltus and many others.Curator: Thierry Bellefroid and Romain Renard With the support of the players of the National Lottery and the Brussels Capital Region

urn:uuid:23f1159e-6cee-7522-0958-b41c805f6402 2026-01-27T16:46:41+01:00

It all started exactly 25 years ago with a fanzine for students in Brussels, ‘Le Spon’. Meanwhile, the independent, alternative and collective publisher L'employé du moi came a long way. Today, their catalogue counts more than 130 original creations.On the occasion of this festive anniversary, the publishing team decided to scrutinise its own evolution in an exhibition. How can the cultural and artistic specificity of L'employé du moi be captured while making such varied and diverse productions? The exhibition tries to answer that question in four major themes in the catalogue.The reinterpretation of genre comics, the role of intimacy, political choices and the coming-of-age story will all be explored, with selections of original plates illustrating the themes. The exhibition allows different works to dialogue with each other, as the collective is used to doing, in the style of an exciting ping-pong match.Curator: L'employé du Moi (collective) With the support of la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the Brussels Capital Region and the players of the National Lottery.

urn:uuid:97c589bb-55ef-97a5-82d6-e9043e9f5699 2026-01-27T16:38:40+01:00

French comic magazine Métal Hurlant is 50 years old! Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Philippe Druillet, Moebius and Bernard Farkas founded the magazine in 1975. So many years later, this dream machine is steaming ahead at full speed.From its early years, Métal Hurlant did not just redefine comics: the magazine pushed the boundaries between artistic disciplines and opened a whole new space for dialogue between drawing, science fiction, music, film and philosophy. Meanwhile, it is widely acknowledged to have changed the face of comics worldwide.In its half-century of existence, the cogs of the machine jammed a few times, but in 2021 the magazine, in a new guise, began a new life. This third revolution, meanwhile, counts 12 issues.To celebrate Métal Hurlant's 50th anniversary, the exhibition looks at the past and present, zooming in on the richness and influence of the revolutionary magazine, which reaches far beyond the world of comics. Curator: Gilles Francescano With the support of the players of the National Lottery and the Brussels Capital Region.

urn:uuid:8deb16f8-9c41-1c80-1e77-52516d7d11e6 2026-01-27T16:35:56+01:00

Enter the universe of Flemish comic book author Wauter Mannaert: a world where ancient myths are crossed with today's problems, where the city really begins to live and the personal enters into dialogue with the collective.  Through his most important works, De Queeste, Yasmina and Weegee, you will be introduced to Mannaert's artistic universe in all its richness. The exhibition highlights the artist's range of themes and graphic approaches, offering an immersion into the heart of his unique and poetic worldview.Curator: Sarah CourdéExhibition design: Ecole Boulle (Paris) With the support of the players of the National Lottery and the Brussels Capital Region

urn:uuid:9539ada9-05e8-4779-e68f-afb04cc3c320 2025-03-05T16:45:46+01:00

Following in the footsteps of the graphic journalists who paved the way, comic reportage has been developing for over twenty years. Tracing the history and development of the genre through its founding albums and numerous publications, the exhibition shows how artists ground themselves in reality to tell the story of people and the world. Focusing on the notion of bearing witness, the exhibition invites visitors to discover their working methods and understand the issues involved. Away from the studio, the experience becomes one of field reporting and investigation. Through the eyes of several artists, the exhibition illustrates the medium's ability to reinvent itself to explore different fields and appeal to all audiences. Comics help people express themselves and tackle important issues. It offers a space for creativity and freedom that is not available in all countries. Whether historical, biographical or autobiographical, popular science, travelogue, reportage or survey, these drawn narratives, in all their forms, convey an artist's experience. Between personal feelings, testimonies and analyses, these graphic narratives reflect the vibrations of the world and transmit a memory worth preserving. In this way, the Comic Art Museum celebrates the creativity of the Ninth Art and its ability to encourage discovery, dialogue and openness to the world.   Curator : Mélanie Andrieu With the support of the Brussels Capital Region, Visit Brussels and the players of the National Lottery.

urn:uuid:9fbdc420-ba43-e47d-9570-d5c0a94e398d 2025-03-05T16:40:14+01:00

Mr. Invincible is a superhero who effortlessly breaks through the panels of a comic page. For example, he can react to an event that only takes place a few panels or a page later. The comic series sprung from the mind of French author Pascal Jousselin, who popularised the meta-comic to the general public through the series. The exhibition promises to be an immersive, playful invitation for young and old that invites you to play around with the codes of comic art. With the support of the Brussels Capital Region and the players of the National Lottery.