A new art gallery has opened on rue d’Anglais in Old Lille. Smack also aims to be a living space to reach those who are not very familiar with the art world.
A place to live
Smack: a name that strikes, that questions. This is the effect we wanted Zachary, Thomas, Simon and Steve, four friends in their thirtiesby opening their art gallery in Old Lille at the beginning of September. “ We wanted to dust off the world of contemporary art! », says Simon. In this hybrid apartment-like place, with its fireplace and wooden beams, visitors can drink a coffee and eat a pastry among the workswhile discussing art or something else. “ It gives momentum, it allows us to reach people who are not always familiar with the art world, to tell them, come, it’s a living space!smiled Simon. They don’t necessarily expect to meet gallery owners like us. » « An art gallery, for me, is a place of life », Supports Thomas, with his experience. The professional gallery owner notably co-founded with Zachary the “Les Compères” gallery in Dunkirk, before coming to transplant what they had done there in Lille.
Artists never before exhibited in Lille
« We reach people who are 20 years old as well as people who are 40! » Smack also presents the works of young artistssometimes just out of school, than those of experienced artists. Artists, French and international, who have never before been exhibited in Lille: the German Haakon Neubert, the Spaniard Juan de la Rica, the Senegalese Mokodu Fall, and the Belgian Elize Sokolova. New skirmishes are scheduled approximately every six weeks, with a full schedule through September 2025. “ We work on impulsetestifies Thomas. We always give artists carte blanche, and we then support them over the long term, it’s never just a one shot. »
Numerous events, afterworks, private events, will be regularly organized, during which it will be possible to meet the artists. Leisure will come for the inauguration of its exhibition on October 17. And to have fun at low prices, the gallery also has a art shop. Visitors can purchase posters, tote bags and limited edition t-shirtsmade in collaboration with artists, for prices between 15 and 60 euros.
Smack, 14 rue d’Anglais, in Lille. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grand Opening exhibition on view until Saturday October 12, 2024.
