The contemporary art fair Art Antwerp, organized by Art Brussels, is returning to Antwerp Expo for its fourth edition from December 12 to 15. Since its debut in 2021, the fair has been known for its cheerful year-end atmosphere and will once again host 70 galleries carefully selected by the Invited Committee. One of Art Antwerp’s highlights is its ability to bring together both established and emerging artists. This year, visitors can look forward to large-scale installations by artists such as Aaron-Victor Peeters (Uitstalling Art Gallery), Bruno V. Roels (Gallery FIFTY ONE), Florian Tomballe (PLUS-ONE Gallery), Bert De Geyter (Settantotto Art Gallery, Ghent), and Willem Boel (BARBÉ, Ghent). To further spotlight each gallery's project, Nina Hendrickx, the former director of Antwerp’s renowned Zeno X Gallery, has been invited as the curatorial text writer.

 

We spoke with the fair’s director, Nele Verhaeren, to learn everything we’re curious about. Over to her…

 

What are Art Antwerp's strategies and how does it differ from other fairs? Would you consider Art Antwerp an example of the growing trend of micro or boutique art fairs?

 

Art Antwerp stands out for its unique DNA. Often described as a "boutique fair," it favours a direct and friendly approach, with direct contact between gallery owners, collectors, artists, and visitors. The experience goes well beyond the mere discovery of art: it is also about creating memorable moments. One can admire major works, listen to inspiring talks for young collectors or more specialized collectors, wander among monumental installations in the aisles, or even enjoy a glass or a dish under the Christmas trees, all in a warm and festive atmosphere. Art Antwerp is also appreciated for its human scale size, which makes it easy to explore. Although it has a strong regional dimension, it aims to be open to the world: among the 70 participating galleries from 11 countries presenting 250 international artists.

 

THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE, ONCE INVITED THE GALLERY IS ON BOARD 

 

What criteria do you use to select galleries for Art Antwerp? Do you also accept applications from galleries that reach out directly?

 

A selection of galleries, done by our Invitation Committee, that participated in the previous edition of Art Antwerp are the first ones to receive an invitation to participate again. Once their applications are submitted (deadline is in spring), the Invitation Committee extends invitations to a newly selected list of international galleries. We send out invitations on behalf of the Invitation Committee to encourage these galleries to join the committed participants. The process is very simple, once invited the gallery is on board. We frequently receive spontaneous inquiries from galleries interested in participating. For these galleries, we request that they submit a detailed stand proposal along with information about their gallery profile. After careful consideration and a vote by the Invitation Committee, we inform the respective gallery whether they have been accepted or not.

 

GALLERIES NOW PREFER SOLO PRESENTATIONS 

 

Was the representation of artists under 35 years old deliberate or coincidental?

 

Initially, during the uncertain times of the pandemic, the fair predominantly consisted of galleries who were participating in 7 to 10 fairs annually, showcasing group exhibitions featuring established artists. Their primary motivation was to be part of a resilient event amidst the prevailing challenges. 

 

Meanwhile, the international fair calendar picked up again and nowadays there are even more fairs than ever. Galleries at Art Antwerp are now driven by a desire to establish sustainable relationships with the artistic and cultural community of Antwerp, Flanders and surrounding regions.

 

Therefore, this shift to see more younger artists represented is a logical consequence. Younger galleries, which typically partake in fewer fairs, are inclined to feature emerging artists. Galleries are increasingly spotlighting individual artists, which is reflected in the notable proportion of solo or duo projects, making up 31% of this year's presentations. The solo presentations are the best way to for a gallery to introduce an artist. Nevertheless, it's important to acknowledge that the remaining 70% of artists are over 35 years old, and we continue to host galleries that represent highly acclaimed artists. For instance, Lelong & Co Gallery, a participant since the first edition, showcases works by big names such as Pierre Alechinsky, David Hockney, David Nash, Kiki Smith, to name a few. Maurice Verbaet Gallery presents pieces by renowned Belgian artists from the latter half of the 20th century, while Guy Pieters offers works by international established names such as Sam Francis and Yves Klein. Therefore, Art Antwerp presents a diverse array, blending the vigour of youthful talent with the gravitas of established artists.

 

What was the purpose of introducing the Best Booth Award? What are the criteria for selecting the winner?

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Following the conclusion of our third edition (Art Antwerp 2023), we have observed a significant evolution in the quality and boldness of the booths. An increasing number of galleries are opting for artistically ambitious projects, often focused on the work of a single artist or a duo. Although each gallery has carte blanche to present its booth, these innovative projects have particularly captured attention, generating excitement among visitors. It is with this in mind that we have decided to create the Best Booth Prize. 

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Several criteria will guide the selection. The committee members will evaluate, in particular:

- the quality of the exhibited works,

- the coherence and originality of the project,

- the curatorial audacity,

- the visual engagement and aesthetic impact,

- the trajectory of the artist (CV) or artists presented,

- and openness to diversity or emerging talents or the recognition of a career.

 

To give an example, the project by Gallery FIFTY ONE, which presents a solo by Bruno V. Roels, is a potential candidate. Their booth, designed as a sort of waiting room leading to paradise, perfectly exemplifies boldness and originality in concept. But there are, of course, other examples. The Prize could also go to an artist’s presenting a body of work such as Marijn Van Keij at Andriesse Eyck with works on paper, drawings and collage created the last 10 years.

 

ART ANTWERP AIMS TO MAINTAIN ITS BOUTIQUE CHARACTER

 

What is Art Antwerp’s vision for the future? Do you plan to keep the fair boutique-sized in the coming years, or are there plans for expansion?

 

Art Antwerp is committed to preserving the fair's intimate and boutique character. We cherish the limited capacity of the halls and the spacious aisles, which we believe are crucial to the fair's charm. The cozy atmosphere is a fundamental element that distinguishes our fair and makes it a unique experience for all who attend.

 

Art Antwerp has established itself as a vibrant hub for a diverse community of art enthusiasts, fashion designers, architects, curators, museum directors, art lovers, and entrepreneurs. Attending an art fair is more than just an activity; it's a lifestyle choice that resonates with the cultural and creative interests of a discerning audience. Year after year, we've seen a steady increase in the number of visitors. We are committed to maintaining this momentum and building upon the enthusiasm that Art Antwerp generates. Our aim is to continue fostering this dynamic environment, where passion for art and design not only brings people together but also inspires and enriches their lives.

 

While we are dedicated to maintaining our deep local connections with a strong stake of galleries from Antwerp and we are equally focused on broadening the fair's international reach by welcoming more international galleries. Since there is no open call for applications, the existence of the fair may still be relatively unknown to foreign galleries, and we recognize the need to increase our visibility in the international art community. By adopting a more global (European) perspective, we aim to offer our visitors an even richer array of artistic talent to explore going from a mix of established to young artists.

 

In addition to showcasing a diverse selection of art, we are committed to enhancing the overall experience of the fair. We strive to ensure that Art Antwerp remains a warm and inviting space for visitors, particularly during the festive end-of-year period. Our objective is to create an ambiance that not only exhibits outstanding art but also harmonizes with the celebratory atmosphere of the season.