Who We Are

Robert Quaak is a Swedish native currently residing in Seattle, USA. He has spent much of his life traveling and working extensively throughout Asia, and China in particular. The inspiration for Archipelago 56 was derived from a previous experience of sourcing and importing unique and architecturally important stone destined for discerning clients in the U.S. Robert's aim is to provide those same clients with access to Chinese contemporary art that is newly discovered, artistically relevant and exciting, and created by artists with a story to tell.

Jason Gowans originally hails from Scotland, but has called Seattle home for the past 10 years. A veteran of the software industry, his appreciation of an increasingly connected world led him to want to provide a global platform to an artist community that might otherwise go largely undiscovered.

The collaboration that is Archipelago 56 was borne primarily from Jason's keen interest in Chinese contemporary art, and Robert's vast experience working in China in the architectural and design field.

What's in a Name?

archipelago - "a large group or chain of islands."

With the advent of the Internet, affordable air travel, and the gradual opening of various territorial borders, the world has for the most part, ceased to be just a number of guarded nation states but rather a collection of accessible destinations that are well within reach of each other and meant to be explored and enjoyed. Wherever we choose to call home, we all are linked in some way or another much like islands in an archipelago - each distinct but enchained.

The 56 is simple - At latitide 56.5 lies Dundee, Scotland, and at latitiude 55.5 lies Lund, Sweden. 56 merely marks the mid-point between the two!