The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is opening 'Geestgrond', the largest solo exhibition by British sculptor Antony Gormley ever staged on the European mainland. Curated by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, the show spans all of the museum's modern galleries and extends to the roof, Museumplein, and Antwerp quays, featuring over 100 works including sculptures, installations, early sketches, notebooks, and new pieces. Highlights include 'The Heart', an intimate Wunderkammer of Gormley's process, and 'Cave', a monumental walk-in steel installation.
This exhibition matters because it marks a major institutional commitment by KMSKA to contemporary art since its 2022 reopening, using its entire modern gallery space for the first time. By placing Gormley's work in dialogue with historical masters like James Ensor, Auguste Rodin, and Julio González, the show recontextualizes the museum's permanent collection while exploring the boundaries between sculpture, public space, and human experience. It underscores KMSKA's ambition to engage with world-class contemporary artists and expand the museum's role beyond its walls.