Nurturing Talent
Words by Sisse Bro
Although new on the Antwerp art scene, Newchild Gallery, which opened in 2020, already feels well-adjusted and wise beyond its years. The gallery’s co-founding trio has established an authentic vision combining open minds and experience, with an elegantly renovated gallery space.
Appearance matters, and in the case of Newchild Gallery, aesthetics have been consciously considered. “To be taken seriously, one must also appear serious,” says Chandler Noah, one of the three founders of Newchild, and the architect behind the renovation of the gallery building. “We deliberately started out with a strong concept for the design of the building, as well as the exhibition programme. With this as our base, we feel confident entering the gallery scene with authenticism towards our artists, partners and clients.”
Occupying the ground floor of a typical Belgian townhouse in Antwerp, the gallery exudes a monumental presence; a black logo recessed into a black door on the black façade greets visitors with assertiveness. Upon entering, a warm, hospitable atmosphere descends – the first exhibition room being clad entirely with wide planks of Douglas fir. From this welcoming front room, the visitor is drawn through a narrow corridor into the austere back room; a gallery space with an exposed concrete structure.
Newchild is committed to introducing and nurturing artists that haven’t yet been exhibited in Belgium or even Europe. “Together, we research our programme with open minds, with the aim to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. Once a collaboration with an artist has been established, we take a receptive approach to how it might develop. We find that trust and communication creates a more exciting result. The idea is to make room for the exploration of unique voices and experimental artworks,” says Sarah Vanwelden, an experienced art historian and art advisor, and the last member of the founding trio.
Noah, Castano and Vanwelden have travelled across the art scene – the former two as practising artists, the latter as an
auction specialist and art advisor, and now all three as gallerists – gaining many experiences and perspectives. “We really enjoy the entrepreneurial side of creating a business, which might come as a surprise to other artists. Yet for us, it means unifying all of our interests together. We love art and we have a strong admiration for other artists, and since we know how hard this world can be to navigate, we’re happy to help,” says Noah.
Determined, sincere and human, Newchild’s concept combines a powerful blend of values, people and architecture. While the gallery has been founded on qualities associated with youth – such as openness, idealism and hopefulness, it is these qualities that have formed a strong basis for an ambitious gallery with a long-term mission, one that is further cemented by the knowledge and experiences of the artists it represents.
