NEW CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY WITH A TWIST IN PUERTO BANÚS

INTERVIEW WITH DYLAN KING — CO-OWNER OF TWISTED ART GALLERY

PHOTOS BY JOHNNY GATES

How did three guys from Aberdeen end up opening an art gallery in Puerto Banús?

My father and I came here on holiday and bumped into Kevin, who was already living here, in a restaurant in Sotogrande. My father went to college with Kevin and it was a total surprise as they hadn’t seen each other for decades! All three of us are avid art collectors, and between us had accumulated quite large personal collections.

My father and I were working with each other in my father’s wholesale food company back in Scotland, and Kevin was involved in property development, but our passion has always been art, so it seemed like an obvious step to open our own gallery together.

What is the style of art you are showcasing and which artists are you working with?

We love contemporary art, especially pop art, and this is really what we have decided to concentrate on. After all, this is what we hang on our walls at home. We have original artwork from Alec Monopoly, Banksy, Mr Brainwash, Opake, Pure Evil and The Connor Brothers, to name but a few. Most of the artists are personal friends of ours, which helps us build more of a relationship and knowledge about the art that they produce.

You are working with very high-profile artists – does this mean that you are catering mainly for the rich and famous?

Not at all, as we want art to be accessible to everyone. We have works ranging from below €1,000 right up to millions, so there is something for everyone’s price range. We don’t want to be perceived as a stuffy art gallery because we are certainly not that. We have music playing and we are very relaxed and welcome anyone to come and peruse the gallery in whatever they want to wear, and just enjoy the whole experience.

You have already had great success – why do you think this has happened so quickly?

First of all, we are in a fabulous location in Puerto Banús so that is a great start. The artwork we are exhibiting is all from our own personal collections and, as we love it so much, we assume/hope that there are many other people who feel the same way also!

We have been busy networking and have already held events here where we invite a particular artist to come and meet our guests. The events have been great fun and very popular, and we have sold several pieces just on those nights alone, so we have found the events really work for us.

How are you trying to develop the business?

The general public is obviously very important to us but we are also very interested to meet professionals, such as interior designers and hotel owners for example. We have already made agreements with a prestigious hotel here in Marbella to hold satellite exhibitions of our artwork. These kinds of collaborations are great for us as well as for them, so we are excited to see how it goes. We also offer our gallery to those who would like to hold events here. Obviously, every situation has to be carefully considered but we provide a fabulous venue for anyone who would like to hold a cocktail party surrounded by beautiful artwork.

Twisted Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 8pm (although times are subject to change).

They are situated in Plaza de Antonio Banderas 18, Puerto Banús (Marbella). Tel: (+44) 7595 411846

Email Dylan directly at dylan@twisted-artgallery.com

To view their artwork online and find out more about the gallery and their upcoming events, visit their website: www.twisted-artgallery.com