Upcoming in M
Discover our (new) exhibitions and lectures
This spring, with solo exhibitions by Els Nouwen and Valérie Mannaerts, M shines a spotlight on the distinct universes of two female artists. In the autumn of 2026, the prestigious exhibition ‘Flemish Sculptors in Italy’ focuses on the virtuoso craftsmanship of Flemish sculptors who caused a furore on the other side of the Alps.
Expo - Els Nouwen, 'OXOMORON' - 30.01.26-22.11.26
Curator: Ralph Collier
Els Nouwen’s work balances between figuration and abstraction. Her paintings are the result of a continuous quest for images that coalesce, break apart and regain meaning.
In her work, Nouwen (b. 1986) experiments with pareidolia, optical effects and other cartoonish and playful elements. This is her first museum exhibition, and it includes paintings and works on copper plate, as well as her preliminary drawings.
The exhibition’s title, ‘OXOMORON’, is an explicit reference to an ‘oxymoron’, a figure of speech in which contradictory concepts are combined to create a new, surprising or ironic meaning.
Expo - Valérie Mannaerts, 'Antennae' - 03.04.26-31.08.26
Curator: Valerie Verhack
Valérie Mannaerts’ (b. 1974) multifaceted oeuvre is shaped by intuition and material and sensory experience. In ‘Antennae’, Mannaerts reflects on thirty years of artistic practice while also presenting new work. She explores questions such as: what is the autonomy of an object? What story can an object tell? And how does sculpture relate to space and the viewer?
Expo - 'Flemish sculptors in Italy' - 08.10.26-28.02.27
Curator: Marjan Debaene
In autumn 2026, M will open a prestigious exhibition highlighting the work of Flemish masters during the transition from the (early) Renaissance to the Baroque. This is the next major sculpture exhibition after the successful ‘Alabaster’ (2022) and ‘Borman and Sons’ (2019).
During this important art-historical period, religious altarpieces and refined wooden Madonnas evolved into muscular anatomical figures, imposing equestrian sculptures, and bronze putti that gained popularity across Europe.
One of the key figures in the exhibition is Giambologna, who masterfully combined the realistic craftsmanship of the Southern Netherlands with the classical forms of the Italian Renaissance. The exhibition also features the versatile Pieter Coecke van Aelst – painter, tapestry designer and architect. Other notable artists include Jacques Dubroecq, Pietro Francavilla, Egidio Della Riviera, Nicolo Pippi, Adriaen De Vries, and François Duquesnoy.
The exhibition is supported by a network of international loans from museums such as the Louvre, Bargello, Prado, Rijksmuseum, Victoria & Albert Museum and Vatican collections. Several key works from the M collection are being restored in the run-up to the exhibition.
Food for Thought on Thursdays
'Food for Thought’ is M Leuven’s lecture series where philosophy, science, art, and current affairs come together in an accessible and engaging way.
Thursday 18 December 2025, 20:00, M - ‘What is the origin of time?’. Artist Alicja Kwade and Prof. Dr Thomas Hertog engage in a dialogue on time, space, and perception. The conversation will be moderated by curator and art critic Marc-Olivier Wahler. Part of the exhibition ‘Alicja Kwade. Dusty Die’. Register via this link.
Thursday 15 January 2026, 20:00, M - ‘Is there fiction in science?’. A lecture by Sylvia Wenmackers, philosopher of science. Part of the exhibition ‘Alicja Kwade. Dusty Die’. Register via this link.
Thursday 19 February 2026, 20:00, M - ‘The Discovery of the Leuven Chansonnier’. With Bart Demuyt, General Director of the Alamire Foundation, followed by a concert by the Solazzo Ensemble. Part of the exhibition ‘The Pursuit of Knowledge’. Register via this link.
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Thursday 12 March 2026, 20:00, M - ‘Art in Times of War and Genocide’. Experts Brigitte Herremans and Björn Geldhof share their insights into the role of art in contexts of war and genocide, drawing on their practical experience. The discussion will be moderated by Sara Debroey (Klara). Register via this link.
Thursday 26 March 2026, 20:00, M - ‘Nazi-Looted Art and Provenance Research’. How do we talk about art with a dark past? With Dr Sabrina Lind and Eléa De Winter (ULB/KMSKB). Register via this link.
And also…
A makeover for the Mee-maak-kamer - 03.04.26-28.02.27
From 3 April, you and your children or grandchildren can discover M’s collection in a playful and interactive way. The renovated ‘Make-it-together space’ invites children to engage with art through touch and the senses. They can draw, create collages, respond to prompts, record stories, or explore 3D replicas
