John Baldessari: Parables, Fables, and Other Tall Tales

John Baldessari (California, 1931–2020) was a giant of contemporary art, whose works turned artistic conventions upside down. He wittily combined text, photography, and painting to challenge the traditional boundaries of art. He was a master of appropriation and collage, drawing on popular culture—appropriating frequently from films, television, press clippings, and other sources—to create a new visual language that was irreverent and playful. 

From September 19, 2025 to February 1, 2026, Bozar presents one of the first major European exhibitions dedicated to his work since his death in 2020. John Baldessari: Parables, Fables, and Other Tall Tales features over 60 works, many of them monumental and some presented for the very first time in Europe. The exhibition spans photographs, paintings, installations, videos, and wallpaper, offering a lively and joyful immersion in the work of a key artist of the late 20th century. 

The exhibition brings together works from public and private collections across Europe and the United States, including important loans from the Craig Robins Collection. Invited by Zoë Gray to conceive this exhibition for Bozar, its three curators—Rita McBride, David Platzker, and Bartomeu Marí—all have a long relationship with John Baldessari. They each offer a unique and complementary perspective on his work. 

“The exhibition is not intended to be exhaustive, but it represents the most relevant moments in John Baldessari's career,” explains Bartomeu Marí. Conceived in tune with Baldessari’s spirit, Parables, Fables, and Other Tall Tales embraces the artist’s unconventional approach. David Platzker highlights this essence: “John was, above all, a storyteller. Both in his art, and in person, he looked at telling stories as a means of conveying experiences, knowledge, and relaying information to his students and friends.” Rita McBride adds: “The approach to the exhibition is immersive, not linear or chronological but entirely experiential.” 

While this exhibition includes work from Baldessari’s early practice of the 1960s and 1970s, it focuses on the artist’s mature period: the 1980s to the 2000s. During this time, Baldessari explored forms and formats beyond the conventions of the white cube and the printed page that had dominated his previous work.  

Steeped in film and photographic culture, Baldessari was a pioneer of image appropriation and collage, long before the advent of computer-assisted image editing. The exhibition illustrates the impact of his work, and underscores its relevance for generations born in the digital age. 

Baldessari and Brussels
John Baldessari first gained recognition in Europe before rising to prominence in the United States. He developed a strong connection to Brussels, beginning with three solo exhibitions at Galerie MTL between 1972 and 1974. From 1989 onward, he exhibited regularly with Galerie Meert Rihoux, continuing the collaboration after it became Galerie Greta Meert in 2006. Baldessari worked closely with the gallery for decades, participating in several exhibitions there until his passing in 2020. 

David Platzker recalls that Baldessari “found affinity with the works of Marcel Broodthaers, and René Magritte, both of whose works would frequently be presented in concert with his art.” Rita McBride suggests “the strong Belgian sense of humour resonated with him.” 

In 1988, the show John Baldessari: Recent Works, was presented at the Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels (now Bozar). “I have no doubt John would see this show as a sort of ‘homecoming’ in a city he was truly fond of,” says Platzker. 

Accompanying programme
Alongside the exhibition, Bozar presents a cross-disciplinary programme of lectures and debates, a Bozar all over the P(a)lace (late-night opening), guided tours, film screenings and performances. (link to programme page)  

Alongside the exhibition, Bozar presents a cross-disciplinary programme of lectures and debates, a Bozar all over the P(a)lace (late-night opening), guided tours, film screenings and performances. 

Curated by
Rita McBride, David Platzker,  Bartomeu Marí

With the valuable support of
The Flemish Community and the Craig Robins Collection, Miami. 

In collaboration with
The John Baldessari Family Foundation, John Baldessari Estate & Sprüth Magers Gallery