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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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
@bigaignon_ at @artparisartfair 2024. Founder Thierry Bigaignon presents a mix media work by @catherinebalet_artist.
#artparis #catherinebalet #photographer #contemporaryart #femaleartist #mixmedia
Apr 17
@bigaignon_ at @artparisartfair 2024. Founder Thierry Bigaignon presents a mix media work by @catherinebalet_artist.
#artparis #catherinebalet #photographer #contemporaryart #femaleartist #mixmedia
@maggioregam at @artbasel Hong Kong 2024. @alessiacalarota presents a still life by Giorgio Morandini from 1948.
#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #giorgiomorandini #morandini #modernart #artemoderno #stilllife
Apr 16
@maggioregam at @artbasel Hong Kong 2024. @alessiacalarota presents a still life by Giorgio Morandini from 1948.
#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #giorgiomorandini #morandini #modernart #artemoderno #stilllife
📣Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @miartmilano 2024:
• Wizard Gallery: Milan, London#m
@wizardgallery
• Kaufmann Repetto: Milan, New York
@kaufmannrepetto
• Matta: Milan
@matta___________
• Primo Marella Gallery: Milan, Lugano
@primomarellagallery
#miart #miart2024 #milan #milanartweek #artweek #contemporaryart #artgallery
Apr 15
📣Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @miartmilano 2024:
• Wizard Gallery: Milan, London#m
@wizardgallery
• Kaufmann Repetto: Milan, New York
@kaufmannrepetto
• Matta: Milan
@matta___________
• Primo Marella Gallery: Milan, Lugano
@primomarellagallery
#miart #miart2024 #milan #milanartweek #artweek #contemporaryart #artgallery
@galerie_mitterrand at @artparisartfair 2024. Olivia Anani presents a massive tapestry by Marc Johnson.
#artparis #marcjohnson #derekwalcott #tapestry #contemporarytapistery #blackartist #contemporaryart
Apr 14
@galerie_mitterrand at @artparisartfair 2024. Olivia Anani presents a massive tapestry by Marc Johnson.
#artparis #marcjohnson #derekwalcott #tapestry #contemporarytapistery #blackartist #contemporaryart
@expochicago 2024 by @art_infatuated_laura for artfairmag ✨
Featured artworks
• @raphaelbarontini at @marianeibrahimgallery
• @gracelynn.hayes at @lucegallery
• @tacoumba at @dreamsong.art
Exposure section curated by @rosarioguiraldes
#expochicago #artchicago #contemporaryart #artcurator #artusa
Apr 13
@expochicago 2024 by @art_infatuated_laura for artfairmag ✨
Featured artworks
• @raphaelbarontini at @marianeibrahimgallery
• @gracelynn.hayes at @lucegallery
• @tacoumba at @dreamsong.art
Exposure section curated by @rosarioguiraldes
#expochicago #artchicago #contemporaryart #artcurator #artusa
In Conversation with @leecavaliere, newly appointed Artistic Director of @voltaartfairs, emphasizes its role as a platform for discovery, distinct from the usual art fair repetitiveness. With a rich background in prominent art institutions and initiatives like the Tate and VOMA, Cavaliere aims to refresh VOLTA by introducing new talents and broadening its audience. The upcoming edition will host over 45 galleries from 24 countries, focusing on fostering community and dialogue in a boutique environment.
VOLTA Basel: June 10-14, 2024
#volta #voltaartfair #basel #artbasel #emergingart #emergingartist
Apr 12
In Conversation with @leecavaliere, newly appointed Artistic Director of @voltaartfairs, emphasizes its role as a platform for discovery, distinct from the usual art fair repetitiveness. With a rich background in prominent art institutions and initiatives like the Tate and VOMA, Cavaliere aims to refresh VOLTA by introducing new talents and broadening its audience. The upcoming edition will host over 45 galleries from 24 countries, focusing on fostering community and dialogue in a boutique environment.
VOLTA Basel: June 10-14, 2024
#volta #voltaartfair #basel #artbasel #emergingart #emergingartist
@miartmilano 2024! It was my very first time in miart and I think the fair stands by its reputation: European collectors should definitely attend. Hats off the artistic director Nicola Ricciardi 🎩
Highlighted pieces:
• @gretaschoedl at @richardsaltoungallery
• @waelshawky707 at @liarummagallery
• @julianschnabelstudio at Gian Enzo Sperone
Stunning @maliparmiofficial outfit found at @mercerbyedith 🙏
Cover pic taken in @thomasbrambillagallery
#miart #miart2024 #contemporaryart #artcollector #julianschnabel #milan #maliparmi #milanfashion
Apr 11
@miartmilano 2024! It was my very first time in miart and I think the fair stands by its reputation: European collectors should definitely attend. Hats off the artistic director Nicola Ricciardi 🎩
Highlighted pieces:
• @gretaschoedl at @richardsaltoungallery
• @waelshawky707 at @liarummagallery
• @julianschnabelstudio at Gian Enzo Sperone
Stunning @maliparmiofficial outfit found at @mercerbyedith 🙏
Cover pic taken in @thomasbrambillagallery
#miart #miart2024 #contemporaryart #artcollector #julianschnabel #milan #maliparmi #milanfashion
@bienvenusteinbergandj at @artparisartfair 2024. Sandy Park presents a set of ceramics by @janeyangdhaene.
I’m standing in front of a painting by Peter Kim.
@yvesmirande
#artparis #contemporaryceramics #korenartist #koreanceramics #contemporaryart
Apr 10
@bienvenusteinbergandj at @artparisartfair 2024. Sandy Park presents a set of ceramics by @janeyangdhaene.
I’m standing in front of a painting by Peter Kim.
@yvesmirande
#artparis #contemporaryceramics #korenartist #koreanceramics #contemporaryart
@vadehraartgallery at @artbasel Hong Kong 2024. Founder @roshinivadehra presents a painting by @zaamarif.
#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #pakistaniartist #contemporaryart #figurativepainting
Apr 9
@vadehraartgallery at @artbasel Hong Kong 2024. Founder @roshinivadehra presents a painting by @zaamarif.
#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #pakistaniartist #contemporaryart #figurativepainting
The full article about @artparisartfair 2024 is online on artfairmag.com!
Video cover in @galeriepaulinepavec’s booth
#artparis #artparis2024 #artfair #contemporaryart #modernart #artcurator
Apr 8
The full article about @artparisartfair 2024 is online on artfairmag.com!
Video cover in @galeriepaulinepavec’s booth
#artparis #artparis2024 #artfair #contemporaryart #modernart #artcurator
@galerieclairegastaud at @artparisartfair 2024. @caroline_leconte_perrin presents a sculpture by @vladimir.skoda.
#artparis #vladimirskoda #contemporarysculpture #sculpture artparis2024
Apr 7
@galerieclairegastaud at @artparisartfair 2024. @caroline_leconte_perrin presents a sculpture by @vladimir.skoda.
#artparis #vladimirskoda #contemporarysculpture #sculpture artparis2024