Now & upcoming at M
Current and future exhibitions and events
This autumn, M is presenting contemporary art alongside old masters, with Els Nouwen’s layered paintings displayed next to Egidio Della Riviera’sThree Sleeping Putti and dazzling performances alongside religious altarpieces. In doing so, M once again demonstrates its unique position as a transhistorical museum. An overview of our autumn programme.
Now in M
Exhibition: Els Nouwen, ‘OXOMORON’ – until 22 November 2026
Curator: Ralph Collier
In her work, Els Nouwen raises fundamental questions about perception, illusion and the reliability of what we (think we) see.
Food for Thought lecture on Thursday 29 October
Els Nouwen, Prof. Johan Wagemans and philosopher Emiel Roothooft each offer their own perspective, from within their respective disciplines, on the space between art, perception and meaning making.
What we think we see with Johan Wagemans | M Leuven
To mark the exhibition ‘Els Nouwen. OXOMORON’, the artist will be in conversation with Prof. Johan Wagemans, Professor of Experimental Psychology at KU Leuven. Drawing on his research into visual perception, Gestalt psychology and how people organise images and assign them meaning, Wagemans offers a unique perspective on Nouwen’s work.
Exhibition: ‘M's Collection’ – until 29 April 29
Curators: Eva Wittocx and Marjan Debaene
Masterpieces and lesser-known gems alike reveal unexpected parallels and shed light on socially relevant issues.
Food for Thought lecture on Thursday 17 September
Food archaeologist Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh discusses food, visual language and consumption in art.
Abundance on the table with Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh | M Leuven
Through questions about food and sustainability, Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh – also known as ‘The Food Archaeologist’ – connects past and present. During his Food for Thought lecture, as part of the ‘Abundance’ collection display, he will discuss food, visual language and consumption in art. A tasting will also take you back in time through flavour.
Coming up in M
Exhibition: ‘Sculturi Fiamminghi. Flemish sculptors in Italy’ – from 9 October to 28 February 2027
Curator: Marjan Debaene
Featuring masterpieces from international museums, the exhibition tells the fascinating story of mutual influence, virtuoso craftsmanship and a drive for innovation.
Food for Thought lecture on Thursday 12 November
Nadia Sels, Alexander Vandewalle and moderator Anna-Livia Smekens will discuss mythological representations from the 16th century to the present day.
Sixteenth-century mythological depictions are among the most fascinating images in art history. They show bodies in motion, dramatic gestures and virtuosic compositions, yet often depict stories of power, abduction, murder and rape. During this Food for Thought evening, lecturer Nadia Sels and postdoctoral researcher Alexander Vandewalle will analyse how we can interpret such images today.
Food for Thought lecture on Thursday 17.12
Arjan de Koomen and Filip Vermeylen discuss artistic migration in the 16th century.
Sculptors from the Low Countries travelled to Italy in the 16th century, attracted by the presence of antiquity, the proximity of influential patrons and the opportunity to develop within an international artistic network. During this ‘Food for Thought’ evening, Dr Arjan de Koomen and Dr Filip Vermeylen will explain how this migration of artists profoundly shaped art history.
Exhibition: Nefeli Papadimouli, ‘ANAMESA’ – from 19 November to 9 May 2027
Curator: Eva Wittocx
A solo exhibition featuring a selection of works from recent years, complemented by a new production that will be brought to life through performances. The opening coincides with the Playground Festival on 19 November 2026.
Festival: Playground 2026, twentieth edition – from 19 November to 22 November 2026
Curators: Eva Wittocx and Steven Vandervelden
This anniversary edition once again brings together artists who deliberately break down the boundaries between performance, installation and the visual arts.
Every year, the Playground Live Arts Festival provides space for artists who work at the intersection of the performing arts and the visual arts and who refuse to be confined to a single discipline. The programme offers a dynamic mix of performance, installation, film, role-play, guided tours and choreography. Playground remains a place for experimentation, where artists test new forms and create works that take a critical look at art and society. The following artists are already confirmed: Ula Sickle, Hedwig Houben, Kexin Hao (at M Leuven) and Nick Steur (at STUK).
PRESS CONTACT
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Ellen Verhelle