We often dream of a fresh start, of trying something new, of reinventing ourselves. For Parisian-born architect turned designer Nathalie Wolberg and her Texan husband, sculptor and collage artist Tim Stokes, their move to Antwerp five years ago proved to be just that.
They fell in love with the small yet culturally vibrant Belgian city after just three days, and within three months, were lucky enough to stumble upon an old 600m² warehouse in the former red-light district near the Port of Antwerp. The ramshackle building hadn’t been touched since the 1960s and was in a dilapidated state. It became the couple’s largest undertaking: one that would test them creatively yet bring them closer to each other. Fueled by the city’s infectious creative spirit and the inspiring young creative class, Nathalie and Tim have both changed artistic direction since moving to the city and seem more grounded than ever before. Warm and inviting, the light, art-filled space is a bubble of sorts, where you find yourself endlessly transfixed by the neon colors, bold textures, and obscure objects.
This portrait is part of our ongoing collaboration with ZEIT Online, who presents a special curation of our pictures on ZEIT Magazin Online.
Thank you, Nathalie and Tim, for taking the time to show us around your studio and share your story. Many thanks to DATE Antwerp for introducing us to their work and community – to learn more about the art space, visit the Paris Texas antwerp website.
Photography: Marta Vargas
Interview & Text: Margot van der Krogt