Check Out Kaat DeJonghe’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaat DeJonghe.

Hi Kaat, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up in a family business in film postproduction in Belgium – analog processing, printing, color grading and so on – I have always loved photography and the technical side to that. I curated my first exhibition still working in the film laboratory back in 2011. I was a very ambitious group show with Belgian’s top documentary photographers in a museum in the city of Ghent, and loved it so much that I decided to follow this path. I started Die Plek, which means ‘The Place’ in Dutch, as I wanted to demonstrate that I didn’t want to work in a permanent space giving the work and artist the maximum respect. I looked for architecturally interesting locations that would either synergetically enhance the work, or challenge the audience by putting the show in an unexpected context. For the duration of the exhibition, ‘The Place’ would be in that location.
Moving to Los Angeles in 2025 I was lucky to find a 1936 Rudolph Schindler unit where Die Plek can be the best version of itself as a permanent space. It is a gorgeous architectural space where northern light flatters the works on view, and proportion of the space allows the work to communicate with the architecture, and not fight with it. I share the space with my partner Jordan Blackmore who is an extraordinary hair stylist, which makes Die Plek an active hub on a daily basis. A gallery can be a lonely place but infusing it with was is maybe known as the most social job, hairdressing, it becomes a lively and active meeting place.
The first show opened in October 2025 with beautiful black&white portraits by award winning film director Gus Van Sant, the second one opened during Frieze in February 2026, and we are preparing the third show to open mid June of 2026.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For a Belgian like myself, Angelinos have this great quality of being very open and articulate about everything they like, ways they see to help you or introduce you to their network, and get you involved into every fiber of their life. I feel welcomed and supported!
I think the challenges mainly come from within yourself, questioning your moves and decisions, overthinking. And challenges certainly also come from being in this world, seeing the world around you and how people make decisions you don’t agree with. The art world in general and the fine art photography world in particular has not had the smoothest past few years. As a gallerist you are aware of that context and try to stay close to your own philosophy.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photography curator and interested in fine art photography that makes me look twice and wants me to look longer. I have a broad taste from classic black&white portraits, to abstract color saturated work, documentary photography, fashion photography and more simple still lives.

My move from Belgium, Europe, to West Hollywood has been the biggest decision I have made in my life so far. Opening a photography gallery in West Hollywood in the same year was not part of the plan, but of course being open to what comes my way made me take that decision in under than 5 minutes.

I would love to reintroduce fine art photography to people who enjoy art. It is such an accessible medium, and to me it opens up a space as if you would have an extra window in the room. It is a great start of an art collection as prices are generally more democratic, and I feel it allows a younger generation to make bold statements in their homes. People who love architecture and design, have a natural tendency to also appreciate art, so I feel that there is a beautiful way to link all of these disciplines up.

What makes you happy?
I love a good sense of humor, intelligent and witty, mixed into a good conversation. I love nice weather (I had enough grey skies and rain in Belgium to last me a lifetime) and a well designed terrace to enjoy it. I love people being kind and act kind unexpectedly. I love champagne and beautiful architecture. I love fashion and beauty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dieplek.com
• Instagram: dieplekgallery

Image Credits
portrait: Carlos Eric Lopez
installation shots: Sybren Vanoverberghe
black&white architecture: no credit