Portrait of an M-bassador

Ischa Swinnen (32) has been an M-bassador since 2022. But he has been visiting M for far longer – since the day it opened, to be precise, when he was just seventeen. He’ll always remember that day, he says.

M is just right

Ischa Swinnen

M-bassador

"In 2009, M opened its doors with a Rogier van der Weyden exhibition – ‘Master of Passions’. At that point, I was still living with my parents in the heart of Leuven. I was a fan of the Flemish Primitives, so this was a must-see for me. Because I was eighteen, I had free entry, and I made abundant use of that privilege: I can’t remember exactly how many times I visited that Van der Weyden exhibition, but it was a lot (laughs). If I could snatch a spare hour, I’d be standing here marvelling at the painting of Mary Magdalene reading."

"At that time, I already preferred to go to exhibitions on my own. It’s only then that I can allow the works to wash over me freely, without inhibitions, and put my own interpretation on them. For the same reason, I prefer exhibitions without accompanying texts. Like that wonderful ‘DOKA’ exhibition curated by Geert Goiris: as a visitor you don’t have your hand held, so you get the space to think for yourself."

"What I really love is that M is open till 10 pm on Thursday evenings. I don’t know why this is – perhaps people are just too tired to go to a museum after work – but it is always incredibly quiet then. On one of those Thursday evenings, it can sometimes feel like you have the museum to yourself. That’s really nice if, like me, you enjoy viewing the works at close quarters. Sometimes I even get told off by a museum guard: ‘Oi, don’t get too close to the painting!’ (laughs)"

M-bassadeur in de tentoonstelling van 'Alias' van museum M Leuven — © Aurélie Geurts

For the young and not-so-young

"I studied photography at Sint-Lukas in Brussels. Five years ago, just after graduating, I was hit by a car while cycling. I was in rehabilitation for a long time. As a result, I didn’t visit the museum for two years – also because it was hard for me to concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds. Fortunately things improved after a while, and I came back for the first time in December 2022. I went for the M-bassadorship straight away, despite not knowing much about the advantages. I’m very glad I did, because you get a lot for a very modest sum."

"To give you an example: there are regular guided tours for M-bassadors. I really enjoy participating in these events. But I’ll invariably visit the exhibition on my own beforehand. I’m always curious to see how much my vision overlaps with that of the guide, and I also enjoy adjusting my interpretation as a result. I notice that I’m often the youngest person in the galleries. Museums seem to struggle to attract young people. During my photography course, I also found it strange that many of my fellow students saw it as a chore to ‘have’ to visit an exhibition. But surely going to a museum is an amazing opportunity to broaden your horizons?"

"For a few years now, I’ve been the studio manager for the Sint-Lukas lending service. So I sometimes go to exhibitions by our students. Some are really good, but you often notice – especially with first and second-year students – that they don’t really understand how to present their work, although that’s also due to the limited space. But how a work relates to other works in the space, where and how you position or hang it, the effect that light has on a work: you only learn these things by visiting other exhibitions from time to time. Especially at M, because here the curators often play with the layout of the rooms."

Favourite place

"What also plays a role is that M is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It’s just right. It’s sleek, but at the same time it colours outside the lines – Stéphane Beel, the architect, has stepped outside the classic white cube comfort zone."

"The space right at the top, with that glass in the corner, is my favourite place in the entire building. Not least because you have a fantastic view over the city. Even if I find an exhibition less exciting, the building makes up for it."

M-bassadeur in de tentoonstelling 'Alias' van museum M Leuven — © Aurélie Geurts voor M Leuven

M-cenassen in de museumzalen van M Leuven — © Eline Willaert voor M Leuven

The M-bassador programme is currently being revised. The current programme will continue until June 2026. However, it is not possible to apply for new membership at this time..

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