Annie Gentils Gallery

Yann Freichels (°1996 Grüfflingen, Belgium) is among the most exceptional young talents to come out of Belgium's Eastern Cantons.

"Weltkarten Die Niemand Lesen Mag (Worldmaps Nobody Likes To Read)" is his first solo exhibition at the gallery. Yann Freichels is also shown at “Painting after Painting” SMAK Ghent, contemporary survey from Belgium (4 April – 2 November 2025).

Freichels works and lives in Grüfflingen, Belgium, which is close to Eupen and completed his education in painting at the “École supérieure des arts de la ville de Liège” (ESAVL) in 2020. His analysis of early 20th-century German painting history (Neue Sachlichkeit) is sardonic and humorous. Being German-speaking but Belgian, has the advantage of allowing him to paint a wide range of subjects; in particular, his paintings effectively illustrate the role the Eastern Cantons play as intermediaries between the French- and German-speaking cultural worlds; the region south of Eupen is on the traditional border of Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgian French-speaking territory. His work, which demonstrates excellent literary and historical knowledge, heavily draws on the violent past of national socialism and is certainly highly relevant today.

Annie Gentils Gallery, founded in 1986, presents contemporary multimedia and conceptual work, as well as painting and sculpture. The gallery has two floors. This makes it possible to organise two concurrent exhibitions or to make an important solo exhibition or group exhibition.

Their aim is to to give a platform to contemporary Belgian and international artists, some even from the early beginnings of their artistic development. The gallery is well known for his consistent line of quality and critical engagement. Publications and editions have supported the activities of the gallery from the early years until today.