It’s a Family ArtFair: An interview with PAN exhibitor N. Vrouyr

Frederick Gentis, Co-founder Gallerease
Frederick Gentis
Co-founder
29 Articles1 Curated artwork

Every year PAN Amsterdam welcomes a long list of family businesses exhibiting at the fair. In this long standing tradition one of the oldest family-run exhibitors might just be N. Vrouyr from Antwerp, Belgium

Founded in 1917 in The Hague as ‘Het Armeensch Tapijtenmagazijn N.Vrouyr’ (‘The Armenian rug store N. Vrouyr), and relocated to Antwerp in 1920, N. Vrouyr is the oldest business in Belgium specialised in hand knotted carpets and has joined PAN Amsterdam in 2001. Gallerease met with 4th generation owner Naïry Vrouyr.

Gallerease: N. Vrouyr specialises in rugs and textiles; what can I expect when I visit the gallery in Antwerp?

Naïry Vrouyr: The gallery offers a broad range in antique, semi-antique, contemporary design and decorative rugs. We have a very interesting selection of Oriental carpets, ethno graphics and textiles. All year-round we travel and look for exceptional and astonishing rugs from all over the world. 

G: You are the 4th generation running the gallery. Was it your own choice or did you have the feeling it was you duty?

NV: It definitely was my own choice. I have never felt any pressure. On the contrary, my parents wanted to avoid any pressure and thought it should be my own choice. The world of carpets and textiles is so rich and fascinating that I couldn’t resist its attraction. As a child I spent quite some time in the gallery and grew up in this magnificent surrounding.

G: Continuing the family business isn’t the only tradition you have. You have been an exhibitor at PAN but also Brafa for a long time.

NV: Indeed, we have participated at PAN Amsterdam since 2001 so this is the 16th(!) consecutive time for us here at PAN. We attended Brafa since 1957. PAN is a great art fair characterised by its diverse offering of Dutch and international high-quality objects in multiple categories.

 

N. Vrouyr Rug

G: That is this year’s theme at PAN; eclecticism.

NV: Combining the old heritage and the contemporary vision of interior decoration, without being prejudiced, is a real challenge. Rugs tell stories. I sometimes have the feeling that some interior decorators prefer a blank spot right at a place where an appropriate antique carpet could create a stunning and powerful contrast. As if emotion had to be banned. If you aim at style and elegance you should not exclude, but bring together whatever responds to your high standards of appreciation.

G: But that’s the thing; most people have no clue and therefore hire interior designers to decorate their homes and offices on their behalf.

NV: Everybody has their own expertise. A fine expertise does not mean restricted specialisms, but a broadminded attitude towards whatever surrounds us. Our company is at the eve of celebrating its 100th anniversary. It has not only survived because we travelled all over the world, but because besides that, there was a perspective, a vision and a passionate approach. Otherwise rugs would only be bits and pieces of wool. That’s what we want to share with our customers.

G: We believe that people want to be educated, that they want to see whatever they like in real life. But also that the road to finding what you like starts online. How do you see this?

NV: Online cannot be ignored. We all know colours can be translated differently on screen and that should be reason enough to come see it for yourself. It’s important that online offers an inspiration and an introduction to any form of art and antiques, not a mere facilitation of a transaction.

Family Vrouyr

N. Vrouyr is located at the Komedieplaats 4 in Antwerp, Belgium.

 

For more curated fine art also have a look at Gallerease!

 


Written by Frederick Gentis on 07 Nov 2016, 16:01 Category Art Dealer ProfilesTagged PAN, Art Fair, Interview
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