For its 9th edition, the PhotoBrussels Festival continues to challenge perceptions with “A Public Affair,” an evolving exhibition curated by Bayo Hassan Bello. Hosted at Frédéric De Goldschmidt’s private collection space, this expanded showcase delves deeper into the fluidity of public and private identities, a theme that resonates powerfully within queer communities.
Originally featuring twenty striking photographs, the exhibition now welcomes iconic voices in queer and subversive art, including Robert Mapplethorpe—whose raw, sensual, and unapologetic portrayals of masculinity and desire have shaped LGBTQ+ visual culture. Alongside him, trailblazing artists like Shirin Neshat and Danh Vō bring their perspectives on identity, exile, and the personal as political. The exhibition also gives space to a new generation of artists such as Brussels-based Léa Belooussovitch and Yoel Pytowski, whose in situ installation adds a contemporary, immersive element.
Other featured artists include David Armstrong, David Brognon & Stéphanie Rollin, Edgar Martins, Musa N. Nxumalo, and Hank Willis Thomas—each contributing a distinct reflection on visibility, power, and representation. By bringing together different generations and artistic approaches, “A Public Affair” sparks a necessary conversation about who gets to be seen and how queerness is portrayed in photography. The exhibition offers a compelling reflection on identity and self-expression, making it a key highlight of this year’s festival.
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