Art Antwerp 2023: a third edition confirming its position

To wrap up my tour of art fairs in 2023, Art Antwerp, celebrating its 3rd edition, has become a must-visit for me. This ’boutique art fair’ brought together 72 galleries at Antwerp Expo, all invited by an independent committee of Belgian art market experts and professionals. A fair with a real identity and a hotbed for artistic discoveries!

Like in 2022, I was seduced by Art Antwerp’s proposal, which is both eclectic, unpretentious, and yet well-curated. This young fair stands out from its now well-established sister, Art Brussels, with its very fresh approach and an explosion of young emerging artists. It’s a colorful and offbeat experience with a wide range of mediums represented, from painting and sculpture, of course, but also including drawing, video, ceramics, photography, among others.

Curator’s Booth Pick

Several galleries were presenting solo shows. I find solo shows to be consistently intriguing at art fairs because they make the booth easy to comprehend. Capsule Shanghai featured delicate works by Kong Lingnan, Galerie DYS brought to life the whimsical universe of Amandine Urruty, and let’s not forget Fred&Ferry’s booth, which showcased the vibrant mixed-media pieces of Tramaine de Senna. However, I was particularly struck by the one dedicated to the Spanish artist Jaime Hayon at La Patinoire Royale, Valérie Bach.

Jaime Hayon is a Spanish artist, well-known for his design objects, but he is also a talented painter. I loved immersing myself in his quirky and colorful world, from underwater scenes to artist’s studios, filled with fantastic creatures and eerie vegetation. 

The booth was showcasing 4 large-scale paintings.

Art Dealers Interviews

I had the opportunity to interview 7 gallery owners during this fair, and they all presented a highlight from their booth. I was pleased to showcase well-established local galleries like PLUS-ONE Gallery, which presented a very gentle landscape by Laurens Legier, Pedrami Gallery with three small paintings by Axel Pahlavi, and Uitstalling Art Gallery, which featured a solo show by the highly talented photographer Zanele Muholi. There were also international galleries, including Nino Mier, with spaces in NYC, Marfa, Los Angeles, and Brussels, and Hdm Gallery, present in Beijing and London. Finally, I was impressed by the very coherent theme of religion presented by the young gallery Felix Frachon.

How Much Does It Cost?

Diverse artworks that I would have loved to add to my personal collection! We begin with a lovely small painting depicting a dove in a white-gloved hand by Noelia Towers, offered by De Boer Gallery for €25,000. One could acquire the ceramic foot by the artist duo Martine Feipel and Jean Bechameil, exhibited by Fontana Gallery, for €7,500. And for €100,000, nonetheless, there was Barthélémy Toguo’s ink on canvas from 2022, presented at Galerie Lelong & Co’s booth. Finally, there was a bewildering installation by Ignace Cami, where dozens of wine glasses chained to ceramic goose heads were displayed on a circular table at DMW Gallery’s booth, priced at €9,500.

With this third edition, Art Antwerp confirms its position as a quality regional fair. Let’s hope it has many more successful years ahead if it can maintain its course and the fine balance between well-curated local and international galleries.