In 1984, Torch Gallery was established by Adriaan van der Have as a stage for Dutch and international contemporary art. Van der Have was an early believer in the potential of photography as high art and continued to take risks regarding new ways of expression, making him a pioneer promoter of photography, veejay-art and finally digital image editing as respectable forms of contemporary art. Now his son Mo van der Have continues his legacy.

Functioning as a springboard for emerging Dutch artists, Torch was the starting point for internationally renowned artists like Anton Corbijn and Inez van Lamsweerde. By keeping a keen eye on developments in the art world, the gallery was one of the first to attend many of today’s leading art fairs. This approach has put many emerging Dutch artists into an international spotlight and has given the gallery a broad network of collectors, artists and curators. Besides promoting talent from the Netherlands, Torch also brings promising international artists into the limelight. Anthony Goicolea, Loretta Lux and Terry Rodgers are some of the names introduced into the Dutch and European art scene by Torch gallery.

It is hard to qualify what makes a typical Torch artist, but themes like identity, sensuality, nature and escape from reality are recurring, as is the occasional clash with the boundaries of good taste. Torch thereby aims to continue lighting the way for the artists of tomorrow.