On rare occasions, you can become engaged with an object to a level beyond flash, when you start to create a deeper bond with the work. Storytelling does this far more powerful than esthetical or functional considerations alone. Through this approach, objects become merely the medium where it is more about owning a narrative rather than the physical object. Therefore we believe in shifting the incentive of design to objects powered by narratives. Hence our gallery's name...
A bottom-up approach.
Objects with Narratives is founded by three complementary Belgian individuals: Nik and Robbe Vandewyngaerde & Oskar Eryatmaz based in Geneva, Brussels & Bruges. The brothers Vandewyngaerde are engineers and academically taught architects with several years of working experiences in Switzerland, The Netherlands and Belgium for companies as Herzog & de Meuron and OMA. Oskar Eryatmaz has a financial and sales background in Belgium with years of international working experience.
When the founding brothers Vandewyngaerde started designing their own creations as architects & designers, they quickly encountered other artists having the same thought-process, so they stared to collaborate, enforce and publish their works. While developing and designing on their own, they noticed how difficult it is for young artists to commercialize, develop and produce their own creations due to limitation on budget, logistical, legal or production. That is when the true identity of OWN came to existence. The third partner and life-long friend Oskar Eryatmaz whom has experience in the commercial sector joined the team. Together they established a gallery that allows artists to focus on just designing, while OWN provides the platform to showcase, sell and provide all other services necessary.
The contemporary gallery for functional art.
As humans, we surround ourselves with objects that display an essence of who we are. We become emotionally engaged with these works, especially when they embody personal stories, which is exactly what collectible design achieves. Sitting at the nexus of art and design, a collectible object carries strength and stance to demand that extra second glance, much more than any ordinary object. The contextual work manifests a strong concept in a relevant moment of time and thus contributes to the history of design. These works possess meticulous craftsmanship with high attention to details in process, materials and form. With each piece being unique from the next, they all manage to share one common denominator – to shape a narrative that resonates with their audience.
OWN is a multi-service gallery that concentrates on the storytelling of today's rarefied craftsmen. We represent an intimate group of contemporary artists from diverse corners of the world who specialize in material-led processes and using traditional techniques in a modern way. We empower them through several means such as an interactive website, publications and physical exhibitions. Thus the access to collectible design is democratized to a global audience, facilitating the dialogue between our artists and clients in a transparent way. Their work is internationally shown with private collectors, interior designers, institutions and publication houses. In our world, objects break from their functional boundaries, evolving into artworks that represent the pinnacle of what contemporary design has to offer.
The masters.
Brought together from diverse corners of the world, our highly-skilled artists represent the top of contemporary craftsmanship and artistry. They engage in a profound dialogue between form, function, material and the narrative that connects everything in order to create a true and authentic sensory experience. These rarities and imperfections that are an intrinsic part of our artists' visions are exactly what our clients and collectors cherish the most. With only a few pieces being made each year, these creations are meticulously crafted, resulting in a dialogue between blending centuries-old techniques with modern innovation.
OWN aims to curate the work of household names to up and coming artists who have limited exposure or notoriety, as long as each artist has a strong narrative behind their practice. Our services vary depending on the level of support the designer needs. From sales and marketing to logistics and production, we support an engaging network of artists for collaborative efforts. Our goal is for artists to solely focus at what they are best at: to design. We take care of the rest.
Our Exhibition program.
OWN maintains a vibrant schedule of site-specific exhibitions and actively participates in world leading art fairs. Our curatorial focus on exhibitions, revolves around new approaches of showing the highest mastery of the artisans we support. On these occasions, objects from cultures all over the world are brought together for a novel authentic experience during a limited time. Our exhibition program is dedicated to strengthening the profile of our sought-after artists, promoting their work at state of the art locations and including them in public and private collections. Our engagements span prestigious events such as PAD London, PAD Paris, Collectible Brussels, BRAFA, Art Brussels & more.
Bridging the gap between artist and client through design.
At our gallery, we're dedicated to providing our clients with a personal experience built on several core principles. Our commitment to loyalty and transparency is vital trough several ways such as clear and honest pricing. We offer an online friendly experience, making exploring every narrative a pleasure. Our platform serves as a new sourcing destination for luxury design and art, bringing artists and clients closer together. Aditionally we assist with a wide range of services, from bespoke design and art advisory to complete interior and architectural projects. We guide you step by step from the first sketch to the final project delivered at our doorstep.
The role of a curator, historically defined as a caretaker, has evolved over time to become much more complex. Today, a curator must organize, guide, and advise potential buyers for pieces that suit their style, taste and need, all whilst thousands of new objects are being created globally every day. It is the curator’s responsibility to carefully select, acquire and oversee potential narratives to inspire its audience through developing noteworthy collections, expositions and publications. Acting as facilitators, they nurture artists in several ways, from helping their vision come to life, to connecting them with other artists across different fields, creating new opportunities, understanding the artist's objective. Only then can curators and artists reach a symbiotic relationship which is paramount to OWN.
