Explore the Sammy Baloji Contemporary Art Exhibition at Kunsthal Extra City in Antwerp

In this solo exhibition, artist Sammy Baloji examines the history of colonial exploitation in Central Africa and its enduring contemporary traces. Through monumental tapestries and polyphonic sound installations, Baloji weaves together historical narratives, materials, and voices that challenge linear interpretations of the past.

In 'Copper thread, Rubber thread, Sugar thread', artist and filmmaker Sammy Baloji invites viewers to reflect on the raw materials—copper, rubber, and sugar—that have historically defined power relations and trade routes in Central Africa. Through his work, Baloji reinterprets these histories not as fixed events, but as threads that continue to connect the past and present. The exhibition features several works presented in Belgium for the first time, including two monumental tapestries that form the visual center of the gallery. 'Seeing Katharina' (2026) offers a critical rereading of a sixteenth-century portrait of a Black woman in Antwerp, while 'Rethreaded Indies' (2025) questions how diplomacy and equality were historically constructed in visual representations between the Kingdom of Kongo and Europe. Beyond the visual impact of the tapestries, the exhibition incorporates a multi-layered soundscape through works such as 'Le fil sucre-pourpre de Mulohò' and 'Missa Utica' (2024). These pieces introduce poetry, music, and narration into the former Dominican church that houses Kunsthal Extra City, transforming the gallery into an immersive space for listening and reflection. By moving away from singular narratives, Baloji creates a collaborative environment where historical reweaving becomes a form of intellectual and creative practice.

Please check the official Kunsthal Extra City website for information regarding museum admission and exhibition access. Visitors are encouraged to plan their visit in advance through the institution's official booking channels if applicable, or confirm entry details at the front desk upon arrival at the Provinciestraat location in Antwerp.