As an entrepreneur in art, what exactly do you do?

“Antwerp is our home, but our gaze is international. We exhibit Belgian and international artists in four different locations and three different groups: young artists, mid-career artists, and estates. We sell art and we also carry out many projects and art integrations.”

I understand you recently sold a work of art to the city?

“Yes, and we’re very pleased about that. It’s the work of Bernd Lohaus, who was born in Germany, moved to Antwerp, and stayed here for the rest of his life. You can admire it in the new Zuidpark, close to the museums, his studio and our galleries.”

How important is Antwerp as a city for you?

“It’s great to live and work here. And I’m not just saying that because I was born and raised in the city. Art studios are affordable, and it’s a historical and modern city at the same time. In Antwerp, you live surrounded by a past that transforms into a future. Its geographic location is also an advantage. We’re a stone’s throw from the Netherlands, Germany, France and the UK. 40% of our collectors come from abroad, and since we like to maintain a close relationship with them, it’s easy being near everything.”

Why do international newcomers like it here?

“International newcomers look at Antwerp as a place where a lot is happening. As an art city, Antwerp has two beating hearts: its museums and the academies. In the academies, there are a lot of international students, and many of them remain in Antwerp. That’s so exciting. They’re like fresh blood for the city. Likewise, more and more international galleries have come to Belgium recently. Combine that with a diverse population and abundant creativity, and it’s clear why Antwerp is a flourishing international city.”

What else do your international contacts appreciate here?

“There are many things, but fashion stands out. We get a lot of compliments about how people dress in Antwerp. When we are at an art fair, for example, many people come to our stand to check out what we are wearing. And it’s very worthwhile to visit the stores of world-famous designers like Dries Van Noten and Ann De Meulemeester, just to see how they translate fashion into the architecture of their stores.”

Do your young artists also have an international gaze?

“First of all, I advise them to look around in Antwerp. Great artists such as Luc Tuymans, Guillaume Bijl, and Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven are all within reach, in a manner of speaking. The next step is to find a gallery abroad; our job is to help them with that. Regarding visibility, we have The Wunderwall in our gallery: the first wall you see when you visit. We make that wall available for young artists to give their works a ‘first date’ with the rest of the world.”

Every May, Antwerp Art Weekend takes place. What’s the meaning of that event?

“It’s huge. When Antwerp Art Weekend started in 2015, it attracted 5,000 people. Now, we’re at 63,000 visitors. During the most recent edition, our gallery welcomed a staggering 9,000 visitors. The event put Antwerp back on the art map.”