Reflecting on a jubilee year: Galerie Jos Depypere’s 2025

December 21, 2025

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Reflecting on a jubilee year: Galerie Jos Depypere’s 2025

December 21, 2025

2025 will go down in history as an exceptional and multifaceted year for Galerie Jos Depypere.

It was a year in which past, present, and future continually intersected, through exhibitions that looked back on impressive careers, encounters with new generations of artists, and a grand jubilee celebrating 75 years of gallery history.

From a retrospective tribute to Pjeroo Roobjee to an in-depth anniversary exhibition, and from contemporary duo exhibitions to art that took to the streets during the Ezelsstoet of Kuurne, 2025 showcased Galerie Jos Depypere in all its breadth.

Below, we look back on some of the highlights of the year.

Annual Winter Exhibition at Galerie Jos Depypere

December, 2025

In December 2025, Galerie Jos Depypere curated its annual Winter Exhibition, showcasing a captivating array of artworks from a distinguished lineup of artists. The exhibition featured new and compelling pieces by artists such as Julie De Bleeckere, Philippe Bouttens, Laurent Geers, Sarah Yu Zeebroek, Giampaolo Amoruso and many others. 

José Vermeersch
Laurent Geers
G. Amoruso - Sarah Y. Zeebroek

Le Fil d'Or: Identity as Art with Abigail Tulis and Clément Jacques-Vossen

October - November, 2025

In the autumn, Galerie Jos Depypere brought together two young, distinct voices with “Le Fil d’Or”: Abigail Tulis and Clément Jacques-Vossen. The duo exhibition marked an important moment within the gallery’s program, creating space for a new generation of artists who approach identity as an open, layered, and constantly evolving concept.

Abigail Tulis draws on introspection, personal history, and mythology. Her fragile yet charged work, spanning drawings, sculptures, and composed ensembles, uses symbols, the body, and nature to explore memory and emotion, inviting quiet reflection on how identity forms through imagination and doubt.

Clément Jacques-Vossen approaches identity in a more theatrical, narrative way. Through paintings, costumes, and performative elements inspired by folklore and medieval imagery, he examines how identity is constructed, performed, and continually rewritten.

©Bart Ramakers

What was particularly striking was the way both artists entered into dialogue with the gallery’s history. They selected works by, among others, Pjeroo Roobjee, José Vermeersch, Hans Vandekerckhove, and Lionel Vinche, anchoring their contemporary practices within a longer artistic tradition. The result was an exhibition in which past and present did not oppose one another, but instead reinforced each other.

Art in Motion: Kuurne Kermis 2025

October, 2025

During Kuurne Kermis 2025, art quite literally took to the streets. In the annual Ezelsstoet, Galerie Jos Depypere presented contemporary art in dialogue with local folklore.

Abigail Tulis and Clément Jacques-Vossen took part with performative costumes and installations. Clément introduced his monumental giant “Clem Le Fou”, joined by Soupapke, the local village character, who appeared with his own giant as well and the newly elected Koning Ezel. In this way, contemporary art and local traditions came together in a vibrant, community-driven spectacle.

©Bart Ramakers
©Bart Ramakers

Summer Pop-Up Galerie Jos Depypere in Ostend

July - August, 2025

In July and August, Galerie Jos Depypere opened a temporary pop-up space next to the Casino of Ostend in collaboration with Galerie P.

The location offered a fresh, vibrant setting for contemporary art, away from the familiar walls of the gallery in Kuurne. Visitors were immersed in a lively mix of paintings, sculptures, and installations by both established and emerging artists represented by the gallery. The Ostend pop-up served as a temporary showcase, allowing passersby and art lovers alike to encounter contemporary works beyond the gallery’s permanent location in Kuurne.

75 Years of Galerie Jos Depypere

June - July, 2025

A milestone: 75 years of art, vision, and innovation. What began in 1950 as In’t Bourgonsch Kruys, the art and antique shop of Michel Depypere (1923–1978) and Simonne Coeman (1926–2005), grew into an established presence in the art world.

The foundation was built on antiques, paintings, and collectibles, and later the gallery opened its doors to contemporary art.

In its early years, the focus shifted to painting, featuring works by 17th- to 20th-century masters such as Louis Robbe, Emmanuel Viérin, and Albert Caullet. A key moment was the rediscovery of Evariste Carpentier (1845–1922): his luminist landscapes and historical scenes were cherished by the Depypere family and the municipality of Kuurne.

The gallery organized memorable exhibitions, including that of Prince Regent Charles in 1974, and played a central role in Flemish art history through the Group of Five: José Vermeersch, Octave Landuyt, Jan Van de Kerckhove, André Deroo, and Marcel Notebaert.

For José Vermeersch, the Group of Five marked a breakthrough. His early work intertwined classical portraits with architectural designs, including furniture and the gallery’s façade (1975).

He later developed into the modern artist he remains today, best known for his expressive terracotta sculptures.

After Michel Depypere’s passing in 1978, Jos, Rik, and Katrien Depypere took over the gallery’s leadership. With respect for the past but a clear eye on the future, they continued to support young artists and regional talent.

Names such as Koen Scherpeel, Philippe Bouttens, Hans Vandekerckhove, Robie Van Outryve, Piet Moerman, and Tjok Dessauvage were given the opportunity to develop, exhibit, and sell their work. This period was marked by personal involvement: the family often knew the artists closely, guided them through their first exhibitions, and provided a platform where their creativity could flourish.

From the 1990s onward, the gallery increasingly opened up to international connections. Giampaolo Amoruso was introduced by José Vermeersch, finding a place for his work in Kuurne. Christian Silvain, known both for his artistic talent and international controversy, became a regular presence, while Ben Bella was connected to the gallery through Amoruso. This expansion marked a new phase: the gallery was no longer solely a space for local artists, but a meeting place where emerging talent, innovative techniques, and international exchange came together.

Since 2018, Bart Ramakers has been associated with Galerie Depypere. His first meeting with Jos Depypere led to a long-standing collaboration and friendship. For the exhibition “75 Years of Galerie Jos Depypere”, Ramakers created a work that is more than a portrait.

The photograph plays with layers of memory and art history, subtly referencing the Belgian surrealists. It is an image that not only shows what is visible, but also what lies beneath: the ongoing dialogue between past, present, and future, and the shared passion that has shaped the gallery for 75 years.

"Tentative de l'Impossible" - Bart Ramakers

The gallery thus became an unexpected center for contemporary art in Kuurne. With attention to both tradition and experimentation, the Depypere family continued to bridge generations and countries, giving young artists not only the opportunity to grow, but also a place within a broader artistic community that transcends local boundaries.

80 Years of Pjeroo Roobjee – A Retrospective

March - April, 2025

On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Galerie Jos Depypere honored Pjeroo Roobjee with an extensive retrospective exhibition, held from March 15 to April 6, 2025. Over four weeks, visitors were offered an exceptional overview of Roobjee’s oeuvre, spanning from the 1960s to the present.

Born Dirk De Vilder in Ghent in 1945, Roobjee is among the most influential Belgian artists of his generation. His work—where painting, printmaking, and literature intersect – explores themes such as identity, history, power, and the human condition, always marked by sharp intellectual engagement and a distinct sense of color and provocation.

The exhibition highlighted key moments in his career, including his participation in the São Paulo Biennale in 1971 alongside Raoul De Keyser and Roger Raveel. Both early and recent works revealed an artist unafraid of complexity and controversy, continually challenging audiences to reflect on memory, society, and self-perception.

Looking ahead

2026

As we step into 2026, the world may feel uncertain, but Galerie Jos Depypere remains a steadfast partner in the art journey. We are deeply grateful to our loyal collectors and art lovers, whose trust and support continue to inspire us.

This year invites us to pause, reflect, and look back with a sense of nostalgia. We will celebrate the traditions that have shaped our gallery and honor artists who are no longer with us, yet whose work continues to resonate and inspire.

2026 will be a year of remembrance and homage; a chance to revisit their legacies, reconnect with their vision, and ensure their contributions are never forgotten.

At Galerie Jos Depypere, we embrace this quiet, reflective spirit while remaining committed to sharing art that moves, challenges, and endures.

Together, we look forward to a year that bridges memory and legacy with the ongoing journey of contemporary creativity.

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Founded in 1950 by Michel Depypere and directed by his son Jos Depypere for more than 50 years, the gallery is situated near Kortrijk in a village called Kuurne…

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