If you, like me, always dream about getting your own piece of art, checking the art market for your favorite artist or even better, hoping you’ll make a sensational discovery like finding a Jawlensky on a flea market. Then there are just a few options in Amsterdam you should consider.
Inside Foam. Photo: Nicole Blommers
For instance Foam Editions (part of the Foam museum, which I have mentioned before), is one of the best places in the Netherlands to purchase payable photos. At your disposal is a selection of signed editions from young talented international photographers and occasionally works from artists currently exhibiting at Foam. The people working at Foam Editions are highly competent and surely very friendly.
If you’re more into painting, sculptures or other three dimensional objects and without a too prefixed taste try Galerie Amsterdam, which is part of the Kunstwerkplaats on Lutmastraat 181-183. This center for outsider art - often called Art Brut - was recommended by my social responsible friend Sara. She brought me here and I have to confess that the art she has bought at the gallery suits wonderful in her lovely decorated apartment. Since the work represented by Galerie Amsterdam is rather miscellaneous not only in techniques but in quality as well, you’ll really need time to explore the works in stock.
For me the paintings bring back recollections of the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne, and I have to confess that I’m not too fond of for instance Jean Dubuffet. But I was certainly struck by the ceramics. The vases and plates beautifully decorated with animal or floral motives are truly worth collecting.
For those really in to budget every Friday night in Galerie Amsterdam Café van de Kook provides a 3 course menu for ca. 10 Euro. Also there is the charming restaurant and traiteur Ratatouille on Ceintuurbaan 181 just a few streets away. Here you can drink a coffee on the terrace, take delicacies to go or have a rather intimate diner.
