GSJ advocaten wants to bring people closer together through art

GSJ advocaten is one of the largest law firms in Antwerp and Flanders. Managing partner Bart Goossens explains why they consider it important to engage with an institution such as the KMSKA.

Why do you consider it important to engage in this kind of partnership?

Bart Goossens: “Our profession is quite crisis-resistant and provides us with a good living. That is why we believe we should give something back to our surroundings and to Antwerp, the city in which we are based and thrive. We do this by supporting projects such as Mobility As A Service (MaaS), through which we want to raise awareness among our employees about not commuting to work by car. We also do so through sponsorship, for example via our partnership with basketball club Antwerp Giants. P.R. and commercial strategy also play a role in this, but social engagement always comes first. All in all, this involves a considerable amount of money, but such investments do not necessarily have to yield an economic return for us.”

Why did you choose KMSKA?

“We had been wanting to do something in the arts and culture sector for some time. When the KMSKA crossed our path, we did not hesitate. There is a momentum, as the museum is very much in the spotlight. It is also a meaningful contribution in this day and age. GSJ places great importance on diversity and believes that art brings people closer together. It is a universal visual language in many forms and it breaks down prejudices. It therefore embodies that diversity, a core value of GSJ and extremely important in the international business context in which we operate.

We were also drawn to the innovative nature of the combination of the old with the new section. In doing so, the KMSKA positions itself among a series of iconic museums worldwide that are true landmarks. This is interesting, as we are particularly active in the fields of environmental law, real estate, permits and contributing to urban development. As a firm, we are even a leader in this area in Flanders. This partnership therefore fits in perfectly with that.

I also have an emotional connection with the KMSKA. In the 1960s, I lived with my parents on Vrijheidstraat in the Zuid district. Because we only had a small courtyard, as a child I often went to play in the museum garden. Wonderful memories.”

What is your favourite work from the collection?

“'The Intrigue' by James Ensor. He was a pioneer and a provocateur. Standing up for people who come into conflict with the authorities is the lawyer’s initial task. The masks in the painting also resonate with what we do. We often know more than others: about who people are, what they do and what they hide. I find Ensor’s way of painting particularly striking and challenging. With thick layers, rough and unrefined, and yet you get a sharp image of what he wants to show. Through his work, he also appeals to young people. A timeless and fascinating artist.”

What is your company most looking forward to during this partnership?

“We would like to organise special events for our clients and our employees, and to make optimal use of the museum tickets to which we are entitled. In addition, our next six-monthly conclave with the partners will take place at the KMSKA. GSJ also has an international footprint, and we are looking forward to inviting our partners from the UK and the Netherlands for an out-of-the-ordinary experience.

I would also love to give young artists the opportunity to present their work to a wider audience and to our clients through a creative event. Or to organise a performance by the wonderful Circus Ronaldo in the museum – that would certainly result in something spectacular! So there are plenty of ideas and dreams. We really need to sit down about this with the KMSKA team soon. (laughs)

Finally: before the renovation, my parents regularly visited the KMSKA and had a close connection with it. My father, who was a co-founder of GSJ, has since passed away, but my mother immediately took the museum back into her heart and has already been twice. I am very much looking forward to visiting it together with her sometime.”