We’re you exposed to art while growing up?
We’re you exposed to art while growing up? My parents are big fans of modern and contemporary art. They have taken me to all the classics and great museums such as Galleria Borghese, Louvre, Prado and MoMA. They are also loyal visitors to the exhibitions in my gallery, which I really appreciate.
After finishing my studies in art history, I visited the Frieze art fair in London. Frieze also features an adapted in art institutions around London. The fair itself was impressive, but I especially remember Anish Kapoor's work at the Royal Academy. The work 'Svayambh' is a one and a half meter high block of red wax that is pushed over a rail from one room to another. With each passage, the block leaves a layer of wax on the doorposts.
What was your first job in a gallery? Or did you immediately start a gallery yourself?
Around 2008 I was finishing my master's degree and education at the Willem de Kooning Academy and while talking to my fellow students I noticed a problem: too many artists and too little space to give them a stage. In addition, the final shows of all academies are spread all over the country, so I came up with a platform to show a selection of the best talent from all academies. I also struggled with the value of my own artwork; I thought it would be interesting to put that question to the public. This is how an auction platform for young artists was created: UNKNOWN Young Masters@Auction. These exhibitions and auctions took place in large, vacant buildings such as the former art'otel and the former NRC Handelsblad offices in Amsterdam. The auctions were successful and the – then – unknown artists were invited to exhibit in leading galleries. So it was a very logical step for me to open a gallery myself. I started with several pop-up galleries: in the Van Baerlestraat (Amsterdam), Van Hoytemastraat (The Hague) and Utrecht Central Station. In the end I decided to settle in Amsterdam on the Lindengracht, in the heart of the Jordaan neighbourhood. This area suits me best: the combination of the location and the unique atmosphere of the Jordaan were decisive.
Kersgallery shows top art by top artists. These are often works by artists who have already earned their stripes from a museum perspective, but I also like to give younger artists I believe in a chance. I often pair this young up-and-coming talent with household names. This is often a source of inspiration for both parties.
Kersgallery actually shows two movements in contemporary. On the one, artists who show the theatrical and absurdity of everyday life - and of the world stage; Raquel van Haver, Gé-Karel van der Sterren, Karen Sargsyan and David Bade. And on the other hand, artists who, through the abstract-impressionist gesture, want to report on nature in all its wondrousness, with all its secrets; Lotte Wieringa and Marc Mulders. Nicely enough, Mette Sterre is right in between these two worlds. In all artists, their account of that wonderful, mystical nature – or that theatrical daily reality – is accompanied by an element of incantation and sublimation.
What do you think is the best part of being a gallerist?
I feel privileged to be able to work with art every day. Discovering new talent and offering them a platform and showing them to the public.
Which national / international galleries do you feel an affinity with?
An artist friend once compared me to Annina Nosei, which I think is a great compliment. She was the first art dealer to show Basquiat's work. She also showed Shirin Neshat first. It would of course be great if Raquel van Haver or Lotte Wieringa are discovered by Gagosian at Kersgallery. :)
In an ideal world, which artist would you most like to represent?
At Volta Basel, two years ago, I wanted to show a Willem de Kooning next to the work of Marc Mulders and Karen Sargsyan. Mulders had made an ode to Willem de Kooning, and I thought it would be interesting to see the two side by side. I tried to get a De Kooning through art dealers, but unfortunately I didn't succeed.
What has changed in the art world since you took your first steps?
A lot more is being bought and sold online today than a few years ago. I've been selling work regularly through Instagram lately. I'm not sure if I think the online fairs are a great success. Art can only be seen online to a limited extent. Ultimately, you also have to see, experience and feel the works.
What / whose work do you collect yourself??
Naturally, I have works by many artists I represent at home, such as Raquel van Haver, Marc Mulders, David Bade and Kim Dorland. I also regularly buy things at auctions, for example, I have collected some works by Günther Förg.
Has the pandemic changed the way you see the artworld?
Yes, it’s one art fair after another and that was not the case last year. In the coming year I therefore want to focus more on a number of good fairs and not do everything anymore. It seems that people have and take more time to really immerse themselves in contemporary art, people take longer for a gallery visit and the conversations about the works go much more in depth.
See all artists represented by Kersgallery