To Be Antwerp 2026 at Katshiunga Gallery
Updated: 9 minutes ago
Seunggwan Kang in dialogue with the artistic universe of David Katshiunga
This November, Katshiunga Gallery is proud to participate in the 11th edition of To Be Antwerp, welcoming South Korean artist Seunggwan Kang into the artistic universe of David Katshiunga.
Through contemporary jewellery, wearable sculpture, and painting, their distinct practices open a dialogue around identity, memory, and vulnerability, revealing how personal experiences can find expression through different artistic forms.
To Be Antwerp: A Celebration of Emerging Talent
From 27 to 29 November 2026, Antwerp's Theatre District will transform into an open art route, inviting visitors to discover emerging artistic talent in galleries, cultural spaces, and unexpected locations throughout the neighbourhood.
Founded in 2016, To Be Antwerp has welcomed more than 450 graduates from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and Sint Lucas Antwerpen, creating opportunities for young artists to share their work with a wider audience. For its 11th edition, Katshiunga Gallery joins this celebration by presenting the work of Seunggwan Kang, whose practice brings together contemporary jewellery, fashion, and wearable sculpture.
David Katshiunga: An Artistic Universe of Memory and Vulnerability
Congolese-Belgian artist David Katshiunga explores identity, memory, and human experience through large black and white paintings in acrylic on wood, that give form to both personal and collective stories.
His painting De 7 Zielen van Antwerpen (The Seven Souls of Antwerp), created at the invitation of the MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, has been acquired for the museum's permanent collection and forms part of its exhibition Vracht, which addresses Antwerp's colonial history and its legacy.
While some of David's works engage with collective memory and historical narratives, others explore more intimate dimensions of human existence.
One such work is Feuille Protecteur (2017).
Feuille Protecteur: When Fragility Becomes Protection
In Feuille Protecteur, a human figure folds inward, knees drawn close to the body and head lowered, almost returning to the foetal position.
It is a gesture we instinctively recognise: the body's natural response to vulnerability, fear, or uncertainty.
Without a visible face or identity, the figure becomes universal, reflecting our shared need for safety and protection.
Here, fragility is not weakness. It is an essential part of being human.
This exploration of vulnerability creates a meaningful connection with the work of Seunggwan Kang.
While David expresses protection through the posture of the human body, Seunggwan approaches it through wearable objects that challenge our understanding of strength and fragility.
Two distinct artistic languages, connected by a shared sensitivity to the human experience.
Seunggwan Kang: When Jewellery Becomes a Personal Story
Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Seunggwan Kang studied jewellery before moving to Antwerp to explore fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp. His interest in craftsmanship and intricate details eventually led him back to jewellery, where he earned a Master's degree.
Drawing on his background in fashion, Seunggwan explores the boundaries between contemporary jewellery and wearable sculpture. Specialising in glasswork and traditional metalworking techniques, he experiments with the contrast between rigid materials and the fluidity of textiles, creating unconventional pieces that challenge traditional notions of jewellery.
The Drama: Six Years of Memories Transformed into Art
Seunggwan's latest body of work, The Drama, marks the conclusion of six years spent in Antwerp a journey shaped by personal transformation, friendships, challenges, and memories.
Through this collection, he reflects on the experiences that have shaped him, transforming them into wearable sculptures as a personal farewell to the city and the Academy that played such an important role in his artistic journey.
One of his creations, a glass breastplate, represents what Seunggwan describes as his "social armour". Transparent yet solid, but always on the verge of breaking, it reflects the protection he built around himself while facing the gaze of others.
Red stains bloom across the glass like flowers and glimmer like precious stones, symbolising the challenges he has faced and endured during his years in Antwerp.
International Recognition
In October 2026, Seunggwan Kang was featured in Vogue Korea as one of ten promising emerging talents shaping the future of fashion.
He also received second place in the Jewellery category at the Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2026, recognising his distinctive approach to contemporary jewellery and the relationship between fashion, craftsmanship, and sculptural forms.
Two Artistic Voices, One Shared Conversation
Through different materials and artistic approaches, David Katshiunga and Seunggwan Kang reveal how deeply personal experiences can resonate with universal human emotions.
At Katshiunga Gallery, we believe in creating meaningful encounters between artistic perspectives and generations. Our participation in To Be Antwerp 2026 reflects this vision, offering visitors the opportunity to discover emerging talent within the gallery's artistic universe.
We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this special edition of To Be Antwerp.
Y O U ' R E I N V I T E D Join Us at Katshiunga Gallery
during To Be Antwerp 2026
27 to 29 November 2026
Friday, 27 November | 18:00 – 21:00
Saturday, 28 November | 12:00 – 18:00
Sunday, 29 November | 12:00 – 18:00
Katshiunga Gallery
Leopoldstraat 69, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Explore the full To Be Antwerp programme and plan your visit: www.tobeantwerp.com