The very last of the inspiring set of lectures, discussions and interviews at Unseen Speakers' Corner was a panel discussion about the position of the gallery in today's art scene. Speakers, moderated by Dominic van den Boogerd, included gallerists Laurie Cluitmans (Galerie Fons Welters), Jeanine Hofland, Julie Quottrup Silbermann (Martin Asbaek Gallery, DK), and Diana Stigter.

All the gallerists agreed on the idealistic nature of owning a gallery. The owner of her Amsterdam-based gallery, Diana Stigter, stated that a gallerist's starting point always is to support the artists and their art: profit only comes second. "After all, it is all about art", commented Jeanine Hofland. The importance of always being on the search for younger artists with new looks on art also came clear of the discussion.

Despite the changing economic climate, art still sells, said Julie Quottrup Silbermann of the Danish Martin Asbaek Gallery. In addition, Silbermann has noticed in Denmark a trend of younger buyers, who are very interested in unique pieces of art. In order to excite the collectors and to keep their own economical situation in balance, all the gallerists nodded to the importance of offering a varied programme throughout the year. Furthermore, an insider's look was given to the matter of discounts and negotiating the price: it indeed is true, according to the panel, that there is no single price for an artwork. The discussion of Sunday afternoon can be concluded with the following: In today's gallery world, as the examples from the Netherlands and Denmark demonstrate, very close relations between galleries, their artists, museums and private collectors, and also the press - be it print or online - are crucial for the survival of galleries.

For a full overview of the lectures and other festival items, visit the Programme page. More photographs from Unseen can be found on our Facebook page.