Mick Nieuwenhuis

INTERVIEW

Gallerist & Founder of Newhouse Gallery

DATE: 10 ⁄ 04 ⁄ 2025

EVA & MICK

           “What fulfills me now is brainstorming with artists, planning their creative evolution... Those collaborative and design processes bring out my creativity in new and exciting ways.”

AMSTERDAM

YOUR IDEAL WAY TO START YOUR DAY?

        I used to adhere strictly to productivity routines—starting with making my bed, followed by short cycles of work, meditation, tea-breaks, reading and exercise. While it made me productive, it wasn’t authentic to how I thrive. It ultimately led to burnout. Now-a-days, I follow my intuition and how I feel in the moment. Some mornings, I’m biking to the gallery with my dog at 7 a.m.; other times, I work from bed with coffee and a croissant, or take a long walk in the park. My mornings are now led by how I feel, not rigid rules.

WHEN DO YOU FEEL CREATIVELY MOST FULLFILLED?

        After running a lingerie brand for eight years and being involved in every aspect of the business, I’m glad my current role as a gallerist doesn’t involve actual production of the pieces we sell. What fulfills me now is brainstorming with artists, planning their creative evolution, and designing booths or gallery spaces for shows. Those collaborative and design processes bring out my creativity in new and exciting ways.

HOW DO MOVE THROUGH MENTAL OR CREATIVE BLOCKS?

        Admittedly, I rely on pressure. I’m a procrastinator. Not that I’m lazy, I work really hard, but not always on the things I should. I’m therefore definitely not the easiest to work with when you work more structured and plan things in advance. It’s not the best method, and I’m working on building more structure, but for now, the urgency helps me break through blocks.

WHAT DOES GROWTHMEAN TO YOU?

        For me growth is about building confidence. Overcoming fears —particularly my fear of failure — has been pivotal. My ambitions have pushed me to face challenges head-on, whether through unconventional therapies like Ayahuasca and truffle sessions but also through this business mentorship by Eva. Growth, to me, is the culmination of confronting fears and consistently doing the things that scare me, as I know that facing it this time will make it easier the second time around.

WHAT RESOURCES, TOOLS AND PRACTISES WORK FOR YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR GROWTH?

        Working with Eva has been invaluable for my professional growth. She helps me address weaknesses, prioritize, and reflect. Mentorship is something I’d recommend to anyone, especially when you run your own business. I do believe growth also comes naturally over time through experience and self-awareness.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

        I’m reading four different books that all focus on women within the art industry and mostly the history of how women found their way into it. But to be honest with my current schedule where I’m participating back to back in international art fairs, run the gallery, study art history and try to keep up with my social life it’s hard to find time. So the only book I really read right now is my art history book for my classes.


“For me growth is about building confidence. Overcoming fears —particularly my fear of failure — has been pivotal

MICK NIEUWENHUIS


WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

        I’m proud that things seem to be falling into place. I’m scared to say it out loud as I’ve had the worst year ever and the way things have been rolling out for me recently, sometimes feel too good to be true. In just one year, I’ve participated with success in eleven art fairs, opened a gallery and made a name in the Dutch art scene. It’s been challenging, but seeing how artists and collaborators trust me and my vision, and realizing I can keep everyone aligned, feels like a significant accomplishment.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

        The first part of the year has been full — we kicked off with two strong fairs in Brussels (Collectible and Affordable), followed by a whirlwind Milan Design Week, where I scouted talent, supported my own artists, and wrote about my highlights for Harper’s Bazaar. Back in Amsterdam, we’re now in the final weeks of Matthew van Liessum’s poetic solo at the gallery and preparing for a large underwater world installation by Sandra Keja Planken for Amsterdam Art Week. Next up is KunstRAI, where we will continue exploring the tension between collectible design and contemporary art. I’m always drawn to the spaces in between disciplines — when art, craft, design or fashion merge in a way that feels intentional and alive. It’s the line I love to walk.

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR CURRENT WORK?

         I’m very intuitive and impulsive – which leads the way I work; whether it’s choosing artists, fairs, or curatorial approaches. This last year was extremely busy with fairs, opening the gallery and finding my place within the scene. This year has been about learning the ropes and making quick decisions. I hope the coming year will allow for a more deliberate creative process as I’ve become more familiar with the operations.

WHAT CHALLENGE(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY FACING?

        I easily get very excited by different art and artists and my challenge is within the choices I need to make to be able to run this business. Ideally I’d take on multiple new artists as I see potential in their works, but this’d mean I’d have less time for the artists I currently work with already. I believe in building long-term relationships and building together towards a future that will be profitable for everyone and this means I need to say no to others, even if they’d be a great addition to the gallery.

HOW WILL YOU OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE(S)?

        Setting clear goals, planning long-term, and maintaining focus are key. By having a clear direction, it becomes easier to say no to distractions. I’m shifting from living by exceptions to making intentional decisions based on a strategic vision.


“ Setting clear goals, planning long-term, and maintaining focus are key. By having a clear direction, it becomes easier to say no to distractions.. 

MICK NIEUWENHUIS


YOUR MORNING AND/OR NIGHTTIME RITUALS?

        Like my mornings, my nights used to follow strict routines—candles-only lighting after 6 p.m., phone off by 8 p.m., and in bed by 10 p.m. However, I’ve let go of that rigidity. Right now my routine is having no routine I guess. Recently, I’ve started dating, which has completely disrupted any sense of routine. And I try to embrace it full on. It’s scary, chaotic, beautiful, and energizing, but deep down I do long for a bit more structure again.

YOUR FAVOURITE WELLBEING / SELF-CARE PRODUCTS?

        I swear by COMPENDIUM’s natural face oils—argan, cactus fruit, and pomegranate oils sourced from a family farm in Morocco. The fragrances are stunning, developed by Barnabé Fillion, and they’ve stabilized my skin, which used to be problematic.

WHAT RELAXES YOU? HOW DO YOU CALM YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM?

        To truly switch off, I watch Netflix—ironically, often while ironing… It sounds mundane, but it’s therapeutic. Other activities like walking in the park or reading relax me, but my mind tends to stay active. Netflix distracts me completely.

ONE THING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DAY/WEEK?

I’d love to exercise more and take time to read a book.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE?

        There’s so much. I’m excited about where I’ll be a year from now — with the gallery, but also in my personal life. There’s a beautiful energy building at Newhouse, and I feel we’re entering a more defined chapter. Privately, something new has entered my life that brings both love and creative alignment. With Robin, I’m exploring what it means to merge our fields — possibly creating a home gallery, where art and interior design meet in a more intimate, lived-in way. That idea of blending the personal with the professional, the intuitive with the intentional — that’s what excites me most right now.



 “That idea of blending the personal with the professional, the intuitive with the intentional — that’s what excites me most right now..

CONNECT WITH MICK:
@NEWHOUSE.GALLERYNEWHOUSE-GALLERY.COM


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