05.08.20253 min
Groeninghe, a collective by and for passionate art lovers
Strengthening each other and moving forward. That is the power of 'precious partnerships', the strong ties Degroof Petercam builds with key partners in several domains such as arts. That is why we joined forces with Groeninghe, a collective of and for passionate art lovers. Francis Vanhoonacker, lawyer and passionate chairman of Groeninghe, shines an artistic neon light on this art-loving collective.
Art is much more than a fine painting or object. Each work bridges the gap between an artist and his or her audience, between visitors to a collection and even between multiple generations. At Groeninghe, a group of private individuals who acquire and manage artworks together, the shared passion culminated in successive collections.
Everything began in 1986 when two Bruges art lovers, Leo Van Tuyckom and Lieve Hermant, brought together a group of 20 art collectors and recruited Brussels art critic Pierre Sterckx as curator. They collected contemporary art in an old tannery in Groeninghe, a street in Bruges, hence the name. But make no mistake, this private initiative is unrelated to the nearby Groeninge Museum.
Membership
"Groeninghe operates in cycles of five years", explains Francis Vanhoonacker. "After each 5-year period, a new series begins - currently the eighth - with a new curator and a new member base. Existing members often enrol again, which is why they are part of Groeninghe's journey since more than three decades. There is no public membership, new members are invited and selected based on their interest and commitment to contemporary art." The collective's main goal is to share knowledge and strengthen bonds between members. "We meet every six weeks to discuss art topics, such as possible new acquisitions. And there are lots of activities: visits to studios, lectures by artists, critics and other art professionals, art trips and, of course, visits to fairs such as Art Basel."
Art connects. It is an exciting common denominator that allows you to gauge the interests of those you meet.
Francis Vanhoonacker, president of Groeninghe Art Collection
Discovering and building together
Discovering art together, collecting contemporary art with a focus on long-term commitment and avoiding speculation are, in a nutshell, the main objectives of the collective. "The members share a passion for art and strive to build a meaningful collection that stands the test of time."
Francis Vanhoonacker shares this passion for art: "Art connects. It is an exciting common denominator that allows you to gauge the interests of those you meet. If I can exchange views on art with other people at a dinner party, I have a great evening." Each five-year cycle has its own curator who sets the artistic direction. This approach guarantees innovation and unity in each collection. Each time, the curators are renowned art experts such as Pierre Sterckx, Carel Balth, Erno Vroonen, André Gordts, Elena Soboleva and Udo Kittelmann.
About the collection
The Groeninghe Art Collection covers a wide range of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and installations, and now also neons. Although Belgian artists are also represented, the main emphasis is on international artists such as Gerhard Richter, Mike Kelley, Sterling Ruby, Etel Adnan and Latifa Echackhch.
Some 70 works can be admired by appointment at the College of Europe in Bruges. This provides a unique interaction between art, students and visitors from all over the world. In addition, works are regularly loaned out to museums and institutions. In August, some fifteen works from the collections 6, 7 and 8 will be on display at the Degroof Petercam office in Knokke. This exhibition is curated by Elena Soboleva.
In a dynamic world, the universal language of art connects individuals, communities and nature. Art plays an essential role in our society by immortalising our culture and history, both collectively and individually. We aim not only to honour the creativity of artists, but also to foster an enriching dialogue between our clients and the artistic community. We do this through strong partnerships with the Museum of Ixelles, the Belgian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and Het Kunstuur, as well as through exhibitions in our office network.
Christine Mostert, Head of Art Advisory, Degroof Petercam
Degroof Petercam and Groeninghe – a unique partnership where art, vision, and societal impact converge.
