June 2nd: The Big art auction for Ercoland
With pride, Ercola, in collaboration with auction house Bernaerts, presents a selection of masterpieces for an exceptional auction on June 2nd at 8:00 PM. The artworks have been generously donated by an extraordinary list of top contemporary artists who, together with you, want to save Europe’s largest and most historic artists’ house, Ercola, from a public sale:
Fred Bervoets, Luc Tuymans, Guy Vandenbranden, Dennis Tyfus, Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven, Kris Martin, Guy Van Bossche, Marius Ritiu, Filip Vervaet, Tom Volkaert, Peter Aerts, Karsten Krogh-Hansen, Fran Van Coppenolle, Fleur De Roeck, Philip Lovric, Jan Decleir, Larsen Bervoets, Joan Bonnemaison, Koen van den Broek.
-
- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Preview Exhibition of all artworks
- 8:00 PM sharp: Start of the Live Benefit Auction
- Bar opens at 5:00 PM and will remain open until one hour after the auction ends
Catalogue
The complete catalogue
Bidding by telephone
Would you like to bid by telephone during the auction? Please send before Tuesday 2/02 5PM an email to onthaal@bernaerts.be to secure a telephone line.
This is an exclusive live event. The auction cannot be followed online via a livestream or internet platform.
Conditions: payment by bank transfer only
Address
Verlatstraat 20
The auction is curated by Peter Bernaerts in close collaboration with Marianne Hoet.
Marianne Hoet is an authority within the Belgian and international art world. Throughout her career, and currently in her role as Chairman, Europe at auction house Phillips, she has built extensive expertise in modern and contemporary art. During the benefit auction evening for Ercoland, Marianne Hoet will enrich the presentation of the auctioned works with a broader art-historical context.
Furthermore, buyers enjoy an exceptional benefit: since auction house Bernaerts is participating completely pro bono, a 0% buyer’s premium will be charged. Every euro of the hammer price goes directly towards purchasing and securing the historic artists’ house.
The Goal
The funds raised will be directly used to save Ercola, one of Europe’s largest and oldest artists’ houses, located in Antwerp’s Wolstraat. This iconic 17th-century almshouse is scheduled for public sale by the City of Antwerp (AG Vespa) on June 4th, 2026.
For the past 50 years, Ercola has been the vital home to icons such as Ferre Grignard, Wannes Van De Velde, Ann Salens, Nicole van Goethem, Jan Decleir, Dennis Tyfus, and founder Jean Block. To protect Antwerp as a living city of art where new generations of creators can grow, this unique venue must be permanently preserved.
Today, 40 interdisciplinary and multi-generational artists have their studios there. Together with engaged citizens, they aim to purchase the site through a social cooperative. More than 900 citizens have already bought a share or provided a loan, raising €850,000.00 so far. The proceeds from this auction represent the crucial final sprint to gather the minimum target amount of €1,300,000.00 in equity.
By participating, you do not only acquire a unique masterpiece for your collection, you also provide the indispensable leverage for the definitive preservation of 40 artists’ studios, exhibition spaces, a historic inner garden for the city, solidarity housing units, and a social restaurant – anchored for eternity in the Ercoland cooperative.