THE EYE OF THE COLLECTOR
For its 11th edition, SLICK is giving a voice to those who know the artists from the French art scene and support their creative process. We can never thank enough, these patrons who permit artists to continue to produce their work; the gallery owners who continue to show these artists and others; and those that enable the artists’ personal and creative flourishing. So it is with conviction and gratitude that we are highlighting their role this year.
To celebrate this edition of SLICK, six French collectors have been invited to take a close and personal look at the artists exhibited at the fair. Each of them will choose three to five artists represented by the SLICK galleries, whose work they find particularly moving. A short text will explain their choices and interests, accompanied by a presentation of the work. The visitor will thus be able to visit the fair through the eyes of these art lovers. In addition to sharing their favorite exhibiting artists, the collectors will share their perspective on the French art scene in general.
Find out more about these six art lovers:
Michel Poitevin
Michel Poitevin would never have imagined a few years back that his life would be so affected by and full of contemporary art. He started collecting at age 27, when he bought his first work: a painting by a young artist. Since then, as the years went by, through various meetings and artistic discoveries, such as Fabrice Hyber or David Drouard, his collection grew. Serious about his commitment, he became the vice-president of the ADIAF (Association for the International Diffusion of French Art) and a member of the buying commission of the FNAC, the national foundation for contemporary art. He continues to support and collect with his wife, Colette Poitevin.
“Collecting contemporary art is an immense joy! Yes, certainly provided it is not done with the sole objective of increasing disproportionately one’s ego or heritage, but to commit to the work of artists and the galleries that represent them. Especially when it comes to French artists and the galleries present at Slick 2016 !”
Olivier Louf-Meersseman
Olivier Louf-Meersseman conducted a legal career in international business before becoming the general counsel for several major French companies. His passion for art led him to take part in The Eye of the Collector. Fascinated since childhood, and especially at that time for art from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Orient, his first piece was offered by his mother. He still keeps the bronze Confucius from the Ming period he received for his 12th birthday with him. He has also collected stamps, assignats, banknotes, old stocks, bonds and all kinds of scraps of paper since childhood. As an adult, he has collected furniture from the XVI and XVII centuries after a predilection for law and barguenos. Olivier has been an “aficionado” of contemporary art for some years, and in particular of the young French scene. His passion also translates his commitment as a member of the ADIAF, a jury member of the Discovery Award at the Palais de Tokyo in 2016, and an auditor at the Ecole du Louvre.
“Collecting is a material and aesthetic act, such as the treasure hunts of our childhood where we were looking for “the most beautiful shells from the beach”. It is an act therefore of discovering, but also of selecting, meeting and sharing. For me, the encounters and moments shared with artists, gallery owners and other collectors are paramount. A work has meaning only through the spirit that animated the creation. In this respect, the young artists have so much to say about our times and our future.”
Evelyne Deret
Evelyne Deret has devoted much of her career to Human Resources Management and the professionalization of training, which includes teaching at Dauphine University in Paris. She is involved in several European and international bodies dedicated to promoting training and learning throughout life (in particular she is Vice President of the World Committee for Learning throughout life - www.wcfel.org) . She has also worked as a psychotherapist for adults, children, mothers and babies, while continuing her training. For the past 15 years, she has collected art within specific themes: childhood, females, madness in different media: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture…. She is also co-founder, alongside her husband Jacques Deret, of Art [] Collector, which has supported, since 2011, artists from the French contemporary art scene (www.art-collector.fr).
The question how do you perceive the French contemporary scene? She responds:
“I like the multiplicity of forms of expression and the use of new tools in artistic creation, the new “media” used by contemporary artists. I am also sensitive to changes in places and pattern recognition: fairs, exhibitions, and the place of intermediaries: critics, collectors…”
Marty de Montereau
Having grown up in a family of collectors, Marty Montereau quickly took up the hobby. In 1992 his collecting became serious and official when he purchased his first work of art. Having started his artistic training early and having studied at Decorative Arts, he loves sharing his tastes and his collection online, with social networks and through exhibitions as a curator and organizer. It is therefore with this passion for sharing that he participates in The Eye of the Collector.
Jean-Pierre Marois
After studying literature at Paris III - Sorbonne Nouvelle, Jean-Pierre Marois became, first a photographer, then a director and film producer. In 2012 he began a project of transforming the building that houses the famous club Les Bains Douches in order to open a unique space consisting of almost 3500 m2, which includes a five star hotel. For the project, he launched a competition with interior architects and designers, and developed many partnerships and collaborations in order to organize events before its opening in March 2015. In particular, he created an artists’ residence for three months in early 2013, with Magda Danysz as curator, welcoming some sixty urban artists from around the world.
“Collecting is like trying to hold in emotions, telling yourself a personal story imagined by artists you love.”
Brice Royer
Brice Royer is an art lover art and art market observer for more than 15 years. After a law degree from Panthéon-Assas University and a Masters degree in Private asset management from ESSEC, he forged his experience in law firms, management companies, and private banks. He currently works in art insurance.
“To support the French contemporary scene is to live within its time, and to constantly discover new talents and participate in their adventures by purchasing their works. Besides, a collection is made over a long period of time, and tastes and choices evolve according to periods, trends and artistic exchanges. Collecting is a lifestyle and a journey into the world of art.”