29 february 2024, Wouter van den Eijkel
The Choice of... Bert van den Auwelant
In The Choice of... we talk to a variety of art lovers – from occasional buyers to art professionals – about their experiences with art and ask them about their preferences: Where do they prefer to see art? Where do they buy and especially, who do they buy from? This time around: Bert van den Auwelant.
Bert van den Auwelant has been collecting art for over 50 years. With over 2,000 pieces, the ARTlant collection in Zoersel is one of the largest private collections in the province of Antwerp. Van den Auwelant has decided to share his impressive collection with a select audience on 16-17 March. There will also be a unique opportunity to purchase works of art and visitors can look forward to work by Alechinsky, Appel, Lindström, Jespers, Sweetlove, Verheyen, Gysseling and many others.
The ARTlant collection can be visited on 16-17 March from 2 pm – 6 pm. For practical reasons, admission will be limited, so it will be necessary to reserve a one-hour time slot by email to [email protected]. The visiting address is Oostmallebaan 93/95, 2980 Zoersel, Belgium.
What does art mean to you?
To me, art embodies 'aesthetics' – what I find aesthetically pleasing on a personal level regardless of popularity, name or trend. Above all, art is a visceral experience, a spark that ignites without the need for explanation or description.
Did you inherit an appreciation for art from your family or discover it on your own?
Not directly at any rate. Fuelled by curiosity, I embarked on my own journey of discovery.
Where do you prefer to view art: galleries, museums, fairs or online?
Art can be found everywhere. Given its physical nature, online platforms serve merely as illustrative tools for me, providing access to information.
How often do you purchase art each year? Do you prefer acquiring limited edition pieces or unique work?
How often I buy art depends more on availability than a specific timeframe or season. Individual work has an inherent uniqueness, while limited edition pieces often hold market appeal due to their multiplicity, making them economically attractive.
Is it important for you and your partner to always agree on a purchase? How do you make decisions?
Disagreements between us are not uncommon. But when we both see the same 'sign,' we wholeheartedly commit to the acquisition. Different views also make you more critical, even more so than you become over the years. And an individual’s perspective on art evolves continuously, with certain work no longer retaining its initial allure.
Do you have a special affinity with any particular gallery?
Gallery Coppejans holds a special place in our hearts, mostly because of having witnessed Stijn's evolution from the very start. From Eeklo to Antwerp, his journey has had both challenges and initiatives.
If you had an unlimited budget, whose work would you buy?
With limitless resources, I would undoubtedly adorn my walls with works of art by artists like Sam Francis and Mark Rothko to relish daily, either in solitude or in company. After all, art is about sharing and without an audience, there is no art.
Who are your favourite artists (on Gallery Viewer) and why?
Every artist showcases a spectrum of works, with both commendable and less noteworthy pieces alongside different creative phases. So, my preference is for a particular work, not a time or name.
Which exhibition resonates most with you and why?
All kinds of exhibitions linger in my memory, spurred by my insatiable curiosity. Embracing diverse forms of art remains top priority and the variety of work shown at exhibitions is a real privilege.
What advice would you offer novice art buyers?
Novice art buyers should trust their 'artistic sensibility' or intuition because art is not an investment, except perhaps in the higher echelons. Prioritising the joy, experience and shared enjoyment and discussion of art is what it’s really all about.
Bert van den Auwelant
