John Baldessari

19 Sept.'25 →
1 Feb.'26

Parables, Fables, and Other Tall Tales

John Baldessari (1931-2020) was a giant of contemporary art, whose codes he turned upside down. Known for his paintings combining art historical references with Hollywood film stills, he blurred visual boundaries and developed a complex narrative language tinged with humour.

The exhibition focuses on his work from the 1980s to the 2000s. It reveals the continued international relevance of his practice, including to generations born in the digital age.

The exhibition dedicated to his work at Bozar is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand the subtleties of the avant-garde of the second half of the 20th century, or wishes to enjoy powerful works laced with humorous touches.

What the press is saying

“Not to be missed! Bozar is hosting a major retrospective honouring John Baldessari (1931–2020), the American giant of contemporary art.

“The exhibition ‘Parables, Fables and Other Tall Stories unveils a captivating panorama of his collages, texts and images that revolutionised visual storytelling. With humour, social criticism and subversion, this Californian master of conceptual art blurred the boundaries between visual arts and language […]”

Beaux-Arts Magazine

“John Baldessari. Parables, Fables and Other Tall Stories" is the first major posthumous exhibition of his work: a homage to the artist’s groundbreaking appropriation of images and text; a generous teacher’s experimental practices; and ultimately an irreverent wit that infused his life and visionary oeuvre. ”

The Bulletin

Dates

Friday 19 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 20 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 21 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 23 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 24 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 25 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 26 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 27 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 28 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 30 September, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 1 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 2 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 3 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 4 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 5 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 7 October, 10:00 → 14:00

Wednesday 8 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 9 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 10 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 11 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 12 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 14 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 15 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 16 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 17 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 18 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 19 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 21 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 22 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 23 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 24 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 25 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 26 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 28 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 29 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 30 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 31 October, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 1 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 2 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 4 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 5 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 6 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 7 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 8 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 9 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 11 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 12 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 13 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 14 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 15 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 16 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 18 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 19 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 20 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 21 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 22 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 23 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 25 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 26 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 27 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 28 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 29 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 30 November, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 2 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 3 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 4 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 5 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 6 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 7 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 9 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 10 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 11 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 12 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 13 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 14 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 16 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 17 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 18 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 19 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 20 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 21 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 23 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 24 December, 10:00 → 16:00

Friday 26 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 27 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 28 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 30 December, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 31 December, 10:00 → 16:00

Friday 2 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 3 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 4 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 6 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 7 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 8 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 9 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 10 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 11 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 13 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 14 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 15 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 16 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 17 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 18 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 20 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 21 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 22 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 23 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 24 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 25 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Tuesday 27 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Wednesday 28 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Thursday 29 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Friday 30 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Saturday 31 January, 10:00 → 18:00

Sunday 1 February, 10:00 → 18:00

Location

BOZAR/Centre for Fine Arts

Rue Ravenstein 23 1000 BRUSSELS

Baldessari Visitor Guide Baldessari Kids Guide

Rates

MyBozar Card

€ 7 - 14

<26 MyBozar Card

€ 5 - 9

Standard

€ 9 - 18

< 26 year

€ 7 - 13

< 18 year

€ 0

>65 year

€ 8 - 16

Card : Preferential Reimbursement / EU Disability

€ 5 - 9

Accessibility | Wheelchair & Blind

€ 0

Accessibility | Companion wheelchair & Blind

€ 0

museumPASSmusées

€ 0

ICOM

€ 0

Carte press / Perskaarten : VVJ, AJP, IFJ, API-IPA, AICA

€ 0

Brussels Card

€ 0

John Baldessari, Money (Flesh)/Glider (Blue) © John Baldessari 1990. Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari © 2025; Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation; Sprüth Magers; Craig Robins Collection, Miami

CAMPAIGN IMAGE Arms and Legs (Specif, Elbows & Knees),Etc, Part (One)

John Baldessari, The Duress Series, Person Holding on to Pole Attached to Exterior of Tall Building © John Baldessari 2003. Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari © 2025; Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation; Sprüth Magers; Herbert Collection, Ghent

John Baldessari, Noses & Ears, Etc. (Part One): Hand Holding Cigarette and Head (With Nose) © John Baldessari 2006. Courtesy Estate of John Baldessari © 2025; Courtesy John Baldessari Family Foundation; Sprüth Magers; Private Collection, Lisbon, Portugal