Enrico Bach and Johann Alexis
There’s a kind of tension I’ve always been drawn to — one that doesn’t scream but lingers. It exists between structure and silence, color and void, surface and weight. When I imagined bringing Enrico Bach and Johann Alexis together in our Brussels gallery, it wasn’t because they “fit.” It was because something in their work felt vital — like two opposite poles of the same current. What they share is not a style, but an emotional architecture. Bach builds his compositions from grids and overlays — structured, almost cold. But then something shifts. The logic cracks open, and the painting begins to breathe. His work holds drama, but quietly — like a breath just before release. Alexis, in contrast, strips everything down. His Black Dune and Repeater series use “Mamba Black” on raw cotton — restrained, yet full. These works don’t shout; they absorb you. You don’t look at them — you stand inside them. They are not decorative. They are presence. For me, the drama in this exhibition is about honesty. Both artists build worlds that speak of weight and boundary, but also of wonder. The kind of wonder that catches your breath, then becomes your oxygen. The kind of drama that doesn’t overwhelm but transforms how you move through a room. Brussels — a city where rococo and brutalism live side by side — is the right place for this. That contradiction lives in this show too. It’s why I wanted it here. And why I believe Bach and Alexis, though visually distinct, are asking the same question: What does it mean to truly feel something, without needing to explain it? This exhibition doesn’t answer. It simply asks you to stay — slowly, quietly, honestly. — Florian Araïb
Midtown - Gallery
Rue de Rollebeek 27, 1000 Bruxelles
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Founded in 2018, Galerie Sept has established itself as a dynamic and globally engaged contemporary art gallery, representing a diverse selection of established and emerging artists from across the world. With spaces in Brussels and Knokke, the gallery operates at the intersection of abstraction, material experimentation, and conceptual depth. The Brussels gallery, located in the historic Sablon district, has built a strong reputation for its focus on abstraction, featuring artists who challenge form, texture, and perception. It serves as a primary platform for contemporary abstract art by living artists, showcasing innovative approaches to materiality, color, and spatial dynamics. The Knokke gallery, located in a renowned coastal art hub, is structured into two exhibition rooms, allowing for a broader curatorial vision. While the first room continues the gallery’s strong abstract focus, the second room highlights contemporary figurative art, providing a dynamic contrast and expanding the gallery’s engagement with different artistic disciplines. A defining moment in Galerie Sept’s history was the discovery of Lee Hyun Joung, an artist whose meticulous Hanji and ink-based works bridge the gap between abstraction and Korean tradition. Her collaboration with the gallery, which began in its early years, paralleled the rise of both. As Galerie Sept established itself within the international art scene, Lee’s work gained recognition, culminating in sold-out art fair presentations, institutional acquisitions, and a growing global collector base. This partnership exemplifies the gallery’s commitment to nurturing talent and developing artists’ careers over time. In addition to Lee Hyun Joung, the gallery proudly represents Katrin Fridriks, Johann Alexis, Zheng Lu, Sebastiaan Knot, Timm Blandin, and Hans Schüle, among others. Each artist contributes to the gallery’s reputation as a leading space for contemporary abstraction and cutting-edge figurative works. Galerie Sept’s program is artist-driven and strategically curated, with a focus on long-term collaboration and market development. By fostering relationships with collectors, institutions, and curators, the gallery provides its artists with sustainable opportunities for visibility and engagement. The gallery also integrates digital strategies through platforms such as Artnet, ensuring a global reach while maintaining the integrity of in-person experiences. With a commitment to curatorial excellence, collector education, and international expansion, Galerie Sept continues to evolve as a leading force in contemporary art, bridging artistic innovation with market expertise.