Almine Rech
In 1997, Almine Rech opened her own gallery in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, which then moved to the Marais district in 2006. Then came the years of expansion: first Brussels in 2009, then London in 2014, New York in 2016 and finally Shanghai in 2019. In January 2021, she opened a second space in Paris, avenue Matignon. Exhibiting only one artist at the very beginning of her career, Almin Rech now represents 84 artists, some of whom are world-famous, such as Jeff Koons, Julian Schnabel, Richard Prince or Jannis Kounellis. More than ever, the gallery continues to support and invest in a new generation of talent.
Almine Rech
In 1997, Almine Rech opened her own gallery in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, which then moved to the Marais district in 2006. Then came the years of expansion: first Brussels in 2009, then London in 2014, New York in 2016 and finally Shanghai in 2019. In January 2021, she opened a second space in Paris, avenue Matignon. Exhibiting only one artist at the very beginning of her career, Almin Rech now represents 84 artists, some of whom are world-famous, such as Jeff Koons, Julian Schnabel, Richard Prince or Jannis Kounellis. More than ever, the gallery continues to support and invest in a new generation of talent.
Contemporary Art
64 Rue de Turenne
75003 Paris, FR
+33 145 83 71 90
contact.paris@alminerech.com
18 avenue Matignon
75008 Paris, FR
+33 143 87 30 66
contact.paris@alminerech.com
Abdijstraat 20 Rue de l’Abbaye
1050 Brussels BE
+32 26 48 56 84
contact.brussels@alminerech.com
Grosvenor Hill, Broadbent House
W1K 3JH London UK
T +44 20 72 87 36 44
contact.london@alminerech.com
39 East 78th Street, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10075, USA
+1 (212) 804 8496
contact.newyork@alminerech.com
27 Huqiu Road, 2nd Floor
200002 Shanghai, China
+86 21 63120260
contact.shanghai@alminerech.com
Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Directed by Sergei Eisenstein
Script by Nina Agadzhanova
Actors: Aleksandr Antonov, Vladimir Barskiy, Grigoriy Aleksandrov
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Interview with Almine Rech ~ Founder
Courtesy of Almine Rech. Photo: Léa Crespi
Interview by Pauline Loeb-Obrenan, founder of artfairmag.
It was in 1989 that Almine Rech truly began her career as a gallery owner by making the bold choice to exhibit a single artwork – a Light Piece – by the American James Turrell. Today, she is one of the most influential female art dealers, owning 6 galleries on three contients. We spoke with this powerful woman, member of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, about how she came so far, her present and future.
artfairmag: Almine, you have created a gallery which is today world famous and acknowledged. Can you tell us more about your background and how you got there?
Almine Rech: I don’t have an art background but my parents were both very sensitive to aesthetic. My mother was partly Vietnamese and one of our ancestors a most famous calligraphist and my father painted during weekends when I was a child. Later, he stopped as he had too much work. He was in fashion business and it became a more and more active one. But he would still take us to museums during weekends in Paris and other places where we’d go.
artfairmag: You represent very well-established names such as Jeff Koons, Julian Schnabel or Franz West, and you have launched the careers of many artists like James Turrel or Alexis Israel. What were your selection criteria from the very beginning of your activity? Do you still have the time to discover emerging talent?
A. R.: I always tried to have an open mind and no dogma like movement, artists generation… I have time to discover artists because I keep time for that. For me it’s the most exciting part of my profession.
artfairmag: As an art dealer, especially since you once wanted to become a painter, what role do you play in the creative work of your artists? Do you have a say in what they produce?
A. R.: When an artist asks my opinion I’m very interested in discussing, sometimes I start the discussion myself when something new happens in the work and I’m intrigued. Though, I don’t think it influences the work.
artfairmag: You began by showcasing conceptual and minimal art. Today, you represent a much wider variety of art. What would you say is the DNA of Almine Rech?
A. R.: The corner stone of the gallery is the belief in art, wishing to show artists deeply committed to their creation, whatever the subject of their work is. Whether they succeed in imposing themselves depends on so many reasons, it’s another conversation.
“I have time to discover artists because I keep time for that. For me, it’s the most exciting part of my profession.”
artfairmag: After expanding to Brussels, London, New York and Shanghai, you have just opened a new exhibition space in Paris. Why this choice? Is Paris still an important place in the art market?
A. R.: Yes, very important. It’s a major city of culture, with fantastic museums and this makes it attractive to art lovers.
artfairmag: Before Covid-19, you were participating in many art fairs all over the world. When the art market returns to a kind of normality, are you thinking of reducing your participation or on the contrary are you eager to start again as before?
A. R.: I wish we go back to a safe situation that allows traveling again, visiting museums, fairs. It might be a bit different, like after every crisis it happens some things change or new ones start.
artfairmag: Almine Rech is part of the powerful and highly mediatized mega-galleries. What were the advantages and disadvantages of being a woman to achieve this?
A. R.: From the beginning I didn’t feel I had problems directly related to being a woman. I was very decided to continue my work anyway and never felt blocked.
artfairmag: To conclude this interview, could you present us an artwork – which may or may not come from your gallery – that is special to you?
A. R.: I’ll choose a movie by Sergei Eisenstein, Potemkine, it’s one of the artworks that made the biggest impression on me, it covers so many human, aesthetic and political aspects. I saw it first when I was a teenager, its imprint on me hasn’t diminished.
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@jefaerosol at @urbanartfair 2024. The artist was featured in two booths: @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
Such a talented and inspiring artist!
#urbanart #jefaerosol #jefaérosol #jefaerosolart #urbanartfair #graffiti #streetart #aerosolart #aerosol
Apr 29
@jefaerosol at @urbanartfair 2024. The artist was featured in two booths: @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
Such a talented and inspiring artist!
#urbanart #jefaerosol #jefaérosol #jefaerosolart #urbanartfair #graffiti #streetart #aerosolart #aerosol
@underdogs_gallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Jessica Louro presents the work of the duo of artists @pichiavo who mixes Greek aesthetic with graffiti art.
#urbanart #pichiavo #pichiavograffiti #pichiavostudio #streetart #graffiti #urbanartfair #arturbain
Apr 28
@underdogs_gallery at @urbanartfair 2024. Jessica Louro presents the work of the duo of artists @pichiavo who mixes Greek aesthetic with graffiti art.
#urbanart #pichiavo #pichiavograffiti #pichiavostudio #streetart #graffiti #urbanartfair #arturbain
@mazelgalerie at @urbanartfair 2024 where I’ve came across the work of @levalet.art, a highly talented artist who create these amazing works with a peaceful foreground with an impactful background.
A real art crush (I’ve bought two pieces of him for my personal collection!)
#levalet #figurativeart #urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #meaningfulart #contemporaryart
Apr 27
@mazelgalerie at @urbanartfair 2024 where I’ve came across the work of @levalet.art, a highly talented artist who create these amazing works with a peaceful foreground with an impactful background.
A real art crush (I’ve bought two pieces of him for my personal collection!)
#levalet #figurativeart #urbanartfair #urbanart #streetart #meaningfulart #contemporaryart
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at @urbanartfair 2024:
• @jefaerosol at @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
• @underdogs_gallery
• @mazelgalerie
• @danyszgallery
• @ekowgalerie
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #jefaerosol #aerosolart #graffiti #streetart #artfair
Apr 26
📣Upcoming ‘1 minute in the booth’ at @urbanartfair 2024:
• @jefaerosol at @david_pluskwa_art_contemporain & @galerie_mathgoth
• @underdogs_gallery
• @mazelgalerie
• @danyszgallery
• @ekowgalerie
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #jefaerosol #aerosolart #graffiti #streetart #artfair
@urbanartfair 2024 has just opened the doors of its 7th edition in Paris! Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into this vibrant art and experience the raw, the real, the street-brought-indoors!
Artists featured in the video:
• Keith Haring at @vroomandvarossieau
• @ernestpignon at @art_to_be_gallery
• @missticofficiel at @art_to_be_gallery
• @ladypinknyc at @graffitiandco
• @invaderwashere at @galerieangebasso
Photo cover at @brugier_rigail_galerie and first scene at @malagacha_gallery with @svengraffiti
Thank you @gkeroparis for the very arty jumpsuit and @karinearabianparis for the shoes 💚
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #streetart #graffiti #invader #ernestpignonernest #keithharing #misstic #ladypink
Apr 25
@urbanartfair 2024 has just opened the doors of its 7th edition in Paris! Don’t miss this opportunity to dive into this vibrant art and experience the raw, the real, the street-brought-indoors!
Artists featured in the video:
• Keith Haring at @vroomandvarossieau
• @ernestpignon at @art_to_be_gallery
• @missticofficiel at @art_to_be_gallery
• @ladypinknyc at @graffitiandco
• @invaderwashere at @galerieangebasso
Photo cover at @brugier_rigail_galerie and first scene at @malagacha_gallery with @svengraffiti
Thank you @gkeroparis for the very arty jumpsuit and @karinearabianparis for the shoes 💚
#urbanartfair #urbanart #arturbain #streetart #graffiti #invader #ernestpignonernest #keithharing #misstic #ladypink
@matta___________ at @miartmilano 2024. Co founder Pietro Rossi presents the solo show dedicated to Maximilian Arnold @maxadnorl.
#miart #miart2024 #maximilianarnold #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #emergingart #excitingart #collage
Apr 24
@matta___________ at @miartmilano 2024. Co founder Pietro Rossi presents the solo show dedicated to Maximilian Arnold @maxadnorl.
#miart #miart2024 #maximilianarnold #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #emergingart #excitingart #collage
@primomarellagallery at @miartmilano 2024. @danielemarella presents an incredible work by Kenji Sugiyama.
@kenjisugiyama_works
#miart #kenjisugiyama #miniatureworld #miniaturework #contemporaryart #amazingart #amazingartwork
Apr 23
@primomarellagallery at @miartmilano 2024. @danielemarella presents an incredible work by Kenji Sugiyama.
@kenjisugiyama_works
#miart #kenjisugiyama #miniatureworld #miniaturework #contemporaryart #amazingart #amazingartwork
@wizardgallery at @miartmilano 2024. Founder @federicoluger presents a painting by @raul_cordero_studio.
#miart #miart2024 #raulcordero #contemporaryartist #poppainting #paintingoftheday #artistoftheday
Apr 22
@wizardgallery at @miartmilano 2024. Founder @federicoluger presents a painting by @raul_cordero_studio.
#miart #miart2024 #raulcordero #contemporaryartist #poppainting #paintingoftheday #artistoftheday
My full article about @miartmilano 2024 is now available on artfairmag.com 🙌🏻
Swing by @arena1906 at @galleriaraffaellacortese.
#miart #miart2024 #francescoarena #swing #contemporaryart #artlover #artofinstagram #artoftheday
Apr 21
My full article about @miartmilano 2024 is now available on artfairmag.com 🙌🏻
Swing by @arena1906 at @galleriaraffaellacortese.
#miart #miart2024 #francescoarena #swing #contemporaryart #artlover #artofinstagram #artoftheday
@venice.art.biennale 2024! @sarah_belmont_ reported for artfairmag to give you an exciting glimpse of what’s going on in Venice, at this 60th edition of the Biennale, curated by @adrianopedrosa, under the title “Foreigners Everywere“, borrowed from the anti-racist work by Claire Fontaine @foreignerseverywhere.
• Senegal Pavilion: @aliounediagne_officiel presented by @galerietemplon
• Lebanon Pavilion: Mounirah Al Sohl
• Uruguay Pavilion: @cardozobenia
• Australia Pavilion: @kithandkin_2024
• US Pavilion: @jeffrune
Thank you @agencedezarts for filming 🎥
#venicebiennale #venicebiennale2024 #venice #artbiennale #aliounediagne #mouniraalsolh #contemporaryart
Apr 20
@venice.art.biennale 2024! @sarah_belmont_ reported for artfairmag to give you an exciting glimpse of what’s going on in Venice, at this 60th edition of the Biennale, curated by @adrianopedrosa, under the title “Foreigners Everywere“, borrowed from the anti-racist work by Claire Fontaine @foreignerseverywhere.
• Senegal Pavilion: @aliounediagne_officiel presented by @galerietemplon
• Lebanon Pavilion: Mounirah Al Sohl
• Uruguay Pavilion: @cardozobenia
• Australia Pavilion: @kithandkin_2024
• US Pavilion: @jeffrune
Thank you @agencedezarts for filming 🎥
#venicebiennale #venicebiennale2024 #venice #artbiennale #aliounediagne #mouniraalsolh #contemporaryart
@kaufmannrepetto at @miartmilano 2024. Co founder @chiararepetto presents a painting by @lilyvanderstokker.
#miart #miart2024 #lilyvanderstokker #contemporaryart #artgallery #flowers #poppainting
Apr 19
@kaufmannrepetto at @miartmilano 2024. Co founder @chiararepetto presents a painting by @lilyvanderstokker.
#miart #miart2024 #lilyvanderstokker #contemporaryart #artgallery #flowers #poppainting
The complete review of @expochicago 2024 by Laura Lati is now available on artfairmag.com!
Thank you @art_infatuated_laura✨
#expochicago #chicago #contemporaryart #artcollector #artcurator
Apr 18
The complete review of @expochicago 2024 by Laura Lati is now available on artfairmag.com!
Thank you @art_infatuated_laura✨
#expochicago #chicago #contemporaryart #artcollector #artcurator