Sophie Lauers, General Director of the Bozar Center for Fine Arts in Brussels, died at the age of 55 on May 29 at her home.
Bouzar said on Wednesday that she died on May 29 of an illness. The Brussels Times I mentioned later that she was battling breast cancer, and that she continued to lead the museum through her final days.
Lauwers earned a solid reputation in the Belgian art scene for her work at Bozar, spending a total of 20 years in a variety of positions. She was the Head of Exhibitions before becoming General Manager and CEO last year.
In her application for the senior position, which Bozar shared in her statement on her death, Lauers wrote, “The Center for Fine Arts in Brussels is the institution that has changed me. It has taught me to deal with complexity, to establish beliefs in an ever-changing world, and to stay effective in changing circumstances by Increasing my adaptability…. I have also learned to move forward collectively and to see the importance of nuance in a world where consensus cannot be taken for granted and where diversity is a strength, despite all the friction it can sometimes cause.”
Related Articles
Bozar, a multidisciplinary art institution that holds temporary exhibitions and is also home to the Belgium National Orchestra, is one of Belgium’s top museums, receiving one million visitors annually, according to the foundation’s statistics.
At the museum, the Lauwers demonstrated the ability to stage blockbuster shows that brought large crowds through the gates of Bozar. In 2019, she organized a retrospective of Keith Haring that has also appeared at Tate Liverpool and the Folkwang Museum in Essen. About 180,000 people reportedly watched the show, making it the most visited exhibition ever in Bozar.
Other major exhibitions by the Lauwers focused on David Hockney and Michael Börremans.
Bozar said in a statement about Loars’ death that the museum will now lead its executive committee and board of directors.
“Bozar has lost an experienced leader and an inspiring colleague,” the museum wrote. Sophie continued to work for our house to the end. We will remember her upscale personality, and as someone who lived life with great passion and humor. She drew her strength from beauty and art, a strength she radiated with a smile.”
[ad_2]
