Zwart Huis

Zwart Huis is a contemporary art gallery dedicated to Belgian art. Founded in 2001 at Villa De Beir in Knokke, the gallery has built a strong reputation through its commitment to contemporary Belgian artists. In 2017, the gallery relocated to Brussels, establishing itself in the iconic Rivoli Building and gradually expanding its programme to include both established and emerging Belgian artists across disciplines.

Today, the gallery continues to focus on contemporary Belgian art, working closely with artists over the long term and presenting a programme of solo and group exhibitions.  Alongside its exhibition activities, the gallery regularly participates in art fairs, including Art Brussels.

In September 2026, Galerie Zwart Huis opened a new space in Antwerp’s Nieuw Zuid district, an increasingly prominent gallery district in the city. From March 2027 onwards, the gallery will concentrate its activities exclusively in Antwerp, marking a new chapter in its history.

Woning De Beir

Knokke

2001 - 2007

Galerie Zwart Huis is founded in 2001 by Gerda Vander Kerken in Knokke. The gallery is first housed in Villa De Beir, a modernist doctor's house from 1924, designed by the Belgian architect Huib Hoste.

The gallery focuses on Belgian contemporary art from the very beginning. Often figurative drawing and painting are the main focus of the gallery's choice, but conceptual artists, sculptors, photographers and designers are also regularly featured. In the early years, Jan Fabre, Carl De Keyzer, Luc Deleu, Benoît van Innis, Karl Meersman, Koen Wastijn, Willem Cole, Ronny Delrue, Johan Tahon, Jan Vanriet, Jan Kempenaers, Ever Meule, Herr Seele, Jan De Vlieger and Liliane Vertessen, among others, are given important solo shows

By continuously striving for high quality, the gallery is building a solid reputation in Belgium in its relatively young existence. The exhibitions always take into account the modernist architecture of the building, which is subtly furnished with design classics. Art and design work side by side.

Galerie Zwart Huis regularly participates in Art Brussels and artistic activities on the Belgian coast, including Beaufort and the Knokke Photo Festival.

Zeedijk 635

Knokke

2007 - 2019

In 2007 the gallery moves to a new building on the seafront. Zwart Huis continues its élan and shows the work of  Johan Tahon, Philip Aguirre, Hans Vandekerckhove, Philippe Vandenberg, Pjeroo Roobjee, Gery De Smet, Nick Andrews, Yves Beaumont, Thierry Renard, Jan Vanriet, Jan De Vliegher, Fik van Gestel, Liliane Vertessen, Richard Simoens, Johan Clarysse, Koen Deprez, Jozef Van Ruyssevelt, Luk Van Soom, Koen Broucke and Colin Waeghe amongst others.

Rivoli Building

Brussels

2017 - 2027

A young wind has been blowing in gallery Zwart Huis since the beginning of 2017. Daughter Elke Helbig takes over the torch from her mother after three years of working together. The young gallerist, who studied in Brussels at the VUB and the Sint-Lukas Institute, buys a space in the Rivoli building in Brussels and leaves Knokke for the capital
In Brussels, Zwart Huis shows a mix of artists who were already associated with the gallery in Knokke and a new selection of young and mid-career Belgian artists: Carole Vanderlinden, Hilde Overbergh, Robin Vermeersch, Lore Vanelslande, Colin Waeghe, Stefan Peters, Stief DeSmet, Peter Lagast andGuy Slabbinck.
Together with curator Kris Campo, the gallery organises biennial exhibitions on contemporary ceramics under the name 'CRMCS'. In this concept, the ceramic work of contemporary artists is mixed with pur sang ceramists, who rarely exhibit in the contemporary art circuit.