15 march 2022, Oscar van Gelderen
Ask an art collector... Marc De Coninck
What do art lovers like? Where do they buy their art and, most importantly, what do they buy? Every Monday an enthusiast tells about his love for art in this section. This week it’s Marc De Coninck (Executive Director at EY Consulting, age 55)
What does art mean to you?
Art gives me joy, a positive feeling and, above all, energy. Every morning I 'install' myself 'between' some of my works and that gives me joy and energy.
Were you exposed to art while growing up?
I didn't get that so much from home or it must be something that is genetically determined. My grandfather on my father's side, whom I never knew, because he died early, painted. Several of his works hang in our home.
Where do you read about the latest developments in the art world?
I visit a lot of museums. This year, I marked my calendar for Rinus Van de Velde in the Brussels Bozar and Christian Dotremont in the KMSK.
Where do you prefer to look at art?
Besides museum visits, I frequent galleries. I sometimes visit art fairs, but I prefer a more focused approach.
How often do you buy art each year?
My wife would say, "Too often."
Where do you do your buying: in a gallery, at an art fair, at an auction or online?
I usually buy from a gallery. After all, the story behind the artist is extremely important. A good gallery owner also thinks along with the customer and indicates what could be interesting in the near future.
Is it important that you and your partner always agree on a purchase?
This is a fun question! We have one important principle: if my wife really doesn't like a work and vetoes it, I won’t purchase it.
Do you have a special relationship with any particular gallery?
I would like to mention a probably unknown, but incredibly beautiful gallery in my hometown of Mechelen: Modern Art. The gallery is run by Harry, a spry 85 year-old and a walking encyclopaedia. Be quick, because he will close down the gallery permanently at the end of this year.
I also love to visit Stijn in the Coppejans Gallery, on the Falconplein in Antwerp, and recently I discovered NQ Gallery, also in Antwerp. As a Dutch gallery owner, Niqui van Olphen brings well-known artists (Johan Tahon, Marc Mulders, Ronald Zuurmond) together with new, young talent - and that works!
Marc Mulders, Hunt for Paradise 04.08.20, 2022, NQ Gallery/Kersgallery/ROOF-A
If you had an unlimited budget, whose work would you buy?
I love Léon Spilliaert’s 'gloomy' blues. Born and raised in Blankenberge, I instantly recognize those greyish, dark colours of the North Sea. And then to know that the man has hardly had any art training. That’s just phenomenal!
Who are your favourite artists?
I recently discovered Alain Arrias-Misson and also had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with him. Talk about an energetic octogenarians! He integrates words and letters in three-dimensional constructions.
Dan Van Severen: because he’s one of the few artists that my wife and I will never agree on. This abstract artist manages to evoke a certain, calming atmosphere with a few very simple geometric figures or a few lines.
I got to know Marc Mulders through the NQ Gallery. Mulders is very well known in the Netherlands, but a real discovery for me. He is an idiosyncratic artist, who gives a very special touch to classical themes.
Jan Schoonhoven, Geprägte Stukturen M VIII, 1972, BorzoGallery
