User:GRM282/sandbox

Ron Mandos (born 6 March, 1961) is a leading figure in the Dutch art world, known for his broad network and the success with which he goes against the stream. After a lucrative career in flowers, he founded Galerie Ron Mandos, which is called a ‘classic high end gallery’ and is known for its superior exhibitions.

Based in Amsterdam, Galerie Ron Mandos represents international contemporary artists such as Hans Op de Beeck, Isaac Julien, Anthony Goicolea, Daniel Arsham, Mohau Modisakeng, Troika, Jacco Olivier, Levi van Veluw and Erwin Olaf. In addition, the gallery extensively scouts at Dutch art academies in search of new talent. It fosters the careers of young artists by offering them a platform trough the annual Best of Graduates exhibition.

Biography
Mandos was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. From 1971 to 1976 he attended the Havo voor Muziek en Dans in Rotterdam, which is nowadays called Codarts. His visits to the local Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen were instrumental in shaping his perception of the power of art. Since the age of 14 he had been working at a flower shop, and after quitting his musical education determined to pursue a career as a florist, Mandos opened his first flower shop in Rotterdam at the age of 20. He ended up owning several flower shops in the city centre.

In 1995 Mandos decided to sell his flower shops to travel around the world. During a stay in Madrid he visited the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, where he re-encountered his passion for art. After experiencing Stendhal Syndrome in front of Pablo Picasso’s Guernica there, he decided to pursue a career in the arts in order to share art’s unique transcending ability.

Galerie Ron Mandos
In 1998 Mandos opened an art gallery adjacent to his house, inspired by Jan Hoet’s Chambres d’Amis. He staged exhibitions with local artists such as Ine Lamers, Katinka Lampe en Joep van Lieshout. The gallery soon expanded in order to represent international artists and received national and international recognition through the participation in art fairs such as Art Forum Berlin, Art Brussels, The Armory Show NY, ARCO Madrid, LOOP Barcelona, FIAC Paris and UNTITLED ART, Miami Beach.

In 2006 Galerie Ron Mandos relocated to Amsterdam and became one the leading Dutch galleries. Around this time the gallery started to represent internationally acclaimed artists like Isaac Julien and Daniel Arsham. Since 2008 the gallery annually programs Best of Graduates: an exhibition showing a selection of works by recent graduates of Dutch art academies. It has proven to be a successful formula for providing a platform to talented young artists. In 2016, Galerie Ron Mandos was shortlisted for an AICA (International Association of Art Critics) award.

Ron Mandos Young Blood Foundation
In 2018 Mandos founded the Ron Mandos Young Blood Foundation. It provides a platform for young artists at the start of their careers with the annual Best of Graduates exhibition and the Ron Mandos Young Blood Talent Award. The Ron Mandos Young Blood Foundation regularly stages exhibitions with work by selected Best of Graduates alumni.