João Freitas wins the ArtOnPaper 2026 SOLO Prize

An exploration of what we discard

Born in 1989 and based in Brussels, João Freitas develops an experimental, research-driven practice centred on paper and discarded materials. He collects fragments and objects that have been abandoned or stripped of their value and uses them to explore both the physical qualities of the medium and broader questions around what society chooses to discard.

Construction sites play a central role in this process. They provide the raw materials for his work while raising a wider question: what role do materials that often remain unseen play in the construction of our society?

The jury highlighted the rigour of Freitas’s research, the coherence of the body of work presented and his approach to paper as a living material charged with meaning. It also underlined the importance of providing meaningful, long-term support to emerging contemporary artists.

“For this 10th edition, we wanted to create a prize that genuinely supports an artist’s development. Thanks to the Musée d’Ixelles and The Drawer, João Freitas now has two years to further develop his work, culminating in an exhibition and a publication that will allow his research to resonate far beyond the fair.”
​— Emmanuelle Indekeu, Managing and Artistic Director of ArtOnPaper
“For the past fifteen years, The Drawer has championed drawing that transcends its own boundaries. João Freitas’s practice, in which paper becomes a material that is collected, tested and transformed, is fully in keeping with this exploration. We are delighted to dedicate a portfolio to him in our October 2027 issue.”
​— Barbara Soyer and Sophie Toulouse, founders of The Drawer
“The Musée d’Ixelles, which is due to reopen in March 2027, is delighted to welcome the winner of the SOLO Prize as part of its future programme. True to its commitment to fostering a dialogue between contemporary art and the public, the museum wishes to continue playing an active role in supporting today’s artists. By offering the winner visibility among a broad public and incorporating their work into its programme, the Musée d’Ixelles intends to fully embrace its role as a springboard and contribute to showcasing the practices shaping Belgium’s contemporary art scene today.”
​— Claire Leblanc, Director and Curator, Musée d’Ixelles

A three-part award

The SOLO Prize includes a solo exhibition at the Musée d’Ixelles from 28 October to 3 December 2028, in the museum’s Guest space dedicated to contemporary art; a portfolio of approximately ten pages in volume 29 of The Drawer, to be published in October 2027; and a 50% discount on a stand of up to 25 m² at a future edition of ArtOnPaper.

The jury comprises Charlotte Friling, representing the Musée d’Ixelles, and Barbara Soyer and Sophie Toulouse, founders of The Drawer.