An exhibition project between Milan and Brussels
On the occasion of BRAFA Art Fair 2025, Dalton Somaré presents a selection of classical African art, displayed within an exhibition design inspired by early 20th-century Milanese architecture.
The architectural silhouettes defining the stand are based on the façade of Ca’ Brütta, creating a dialogue between African art and Italian architectural history.
Ca’ Brütta and the Milanese Novecento
Designed in 1921 by the architect Giovanni Muzio, Ca’ Brütta was initially met with strong criticism due to its unconventional reinterpretation of classical language.
Its nickname, meaning “ugly house”, reflects the controversial reception of the building, which nevertheless soon became one of the most innovative expressions of the Novecento movement and a lasting visual landmark in Milan.
African art and modernity
Placing a selection of African sculptures within this architectural framework — suspended and almost metaphysical — allows for a dialogue between seemingly distant visual languages.
The exhibition highlights:
the cultural foundations of the gallery
the relationship between African art and European modernity
the fundamental contribution of so-called “primitive” arts to the development of modern and contemporary art
An identity between history and research
This project reflects the identity of Dalton Somaré, grounded in an ongoing dialogue between cultures, historical periods, and artistic forms.
Information
📍 Brussels Expo – Heysel, Place de Belgique 1
📅 January 26 – February 3, 2025
Context of the Fair
BRAFA Art Fair is one of Europe’s key events for collecting, antiques and historic works of art. Dalton Somaré’s participation places African art and ancient Asian art within an international dialogue based on quality, provenance and art-historical research.
This news item belongs to the gallery’s path through international fairs and is connected with other BRAFA editions, the exhibitions archive and the catalogues published by Dalton Somaré.
Other Editions
- BRAFA Art Fair 2026 – African Art in Brussels
- BRAFA Art Fair 2024 – Matter and Form
- BRAFA Art Fair 2023 – IKONS
- BRAFA Art Fair 2022 – African Art in Brussels
- BRAFA Art Fair 2020 – African Art in Brussels
- BRAFA Art Fair 2020 – African and Asian Art
Further reading
classical African art
ancient Indo-Buddhist art
Exhibitions in our Gallery and international art fairs
African and Asian art gallery in Milan
gallery news
