The auction will be held from 7 tot 13 November via Drouot.com
An auction?!
Street Nurses would not be what it is today without the selfless help of Luc Louveaux and Marie Gérard. Following their deaths, these two volunteers who supported us for over ten years left us a collection of over 5,800 comic strips. This impressive collection features works by 740 artists, including Abolin, Bilal, Franquin, Hergé, Pratt, all the way to Yslaire and even Zidrou. We couldn't let this go unnoticed.
To honour our two volunteers, we are organising an auction of this collection, along with previously unpublished drawings, original plates and other graphic works. The auction will be held online at Drouot.com under the auspices of the Coll·Auctions auction house and expert Éric Coune, from 7 to 13 November, and will culminate in an event in honour of Luc and Marie at Brussels City Hall on 13 November, when the auction closes.
All proceeds from this event will go to Street Nurses.
Want to attend the closing event?
Luc Schuiten, invaluable support
During the preparation of our auction project in honour of Luc and Marie, we were lucky enough to meet Luc Schuiten. In addition to his great generosity in offering us original drawings and lithographs of the highest quality, he agreed to sponsor the event.
Who is Luc Schuiten, and what prompted him to support this particular project?
Hello Luc, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
I'm first and foremost a visionary architect from Brussels. My work is based on the idea that we have too often forgotten that we are living beings, settled on a planet that is itself alive. This leads me to design living spaces inspired by nature, such as coral reefs or primary forests, where each element plays a role in a global ecosystem. I'm also developing solutions for tomorrow's transport and imagining ‘archiborescent’ habitats that could be built today. My aim is to sketch out a harmonious future by recreating a respectful relationship between humans and the natural world around them.
How did you find out about Street Nurses?
As part of my urban development work in Brussels, the issue of homelessness quickly came to the fore. For me, taking care of all living things - including our homeless fellow citizens - is a priority. I can't feel good about my city if part of its population is neglected and left to fend for itself. It was while looking for practical solutions that I discovered Housing First and the exceptional work of Street Nurses.
What prompted you to sponsor this auction?
I think I can be more useful by using my work as an architect and my drawings, rather than simply being present on the streets. By taking part in this auction, I'm being consistent with my convictions: I can help raise funds while doing something that's in line with my values and my vision of the world.
Thank you to our partners and sponsors!
We couldn't have organised an event of this scale without the structural support of Eric Coune, the Coll·Auctions auction house, Brussels restaurateur Witlof and the City of Brussels.
Find out why everyone got involved in this project, which has no other purpose than to honour our volunteers, who often work in the shadow of the street and housing teams.
We would also like to thank our sponsors: Bâtiments Henri Germeaux SA, Konligo BV, Selco SA
Would you like to take part in the closing event?
The collection at a glance
Eric Coune, who runs The Skull bookshop in Saint-Gilles, has kindly opened his address book to invite comic strip artists to donate original plates or unpublished drawings. In addition, Luc Schuiten, patron of our event, has offered us four original drawings, which will also be on sale at the same time.
Carine De Brab has donated three lots, including two original plates. Alex Imé has donated two previously unpublished drawings and an original plate. A plate from the album ‘Coq-sur-Mer 1933’ by Baudouin Deville has also been donated. And the list goes on. Discover all the original works below.
Care to see, feel and smell our collection with your own senses? We're here to help! Our doors will be open from November 4th to November 12th. The only thing you need to do is book a timeslot here.
