Mougin Gallery, Arbiter of Taste, to Show at PAD Paris for the Second Time
PAD Paris opens April 3 with a showcase of furniture, jewelry, paintings, and more. Pioneering the art fair model for 23 years, PAD always brings something new to the at times familiar formula. This year, the Mougin Gallery will show for only the second time in its existence of over 29 years. On the eve of the fair's opening, AD PRO sat down with Mougin Gallery founder Gladys Mougin to hear why she decided to show at PAD—and why it’s important to never be fashionable.
First things first. How did all begin? Mougin begins slowly, “I started in 1990—29 years already! I began in the fashion world, which was difficult, but I always liked being with creative people.” And it all started with French master metal artist André Dubreuil, who is known globally for his Baroque-inspired multimaterial creations. Mougin continues, “I knew him already and at the time, he was living in London. One day he called and said he was making furniture with Tom Dixon and they were having a show. I went to see it and was amazed. This was the first time I saw Dubreuil's Spine chair—now one of his most iconic pieces.”
“This is where it all started for me and I became an agent, working with black-and-white photographs and a few artists," Mougin continues. "I ended up opening this gallery, where I am today, on the rue du Lille in Paris.” This was in 1990. In 2015, Mougin expanded and opened a second space, just a few doors down. Her gallery is known as one of the earliest to support contemporary design. She still remains the only gallery to represent André Dubreuil.
Mougin Gallery defies categories. Although Mougin herself is known for showing furniture and lighting, she has also spotlighted jewelry, evening bags, and photography. What is constant is her devotion to her artists (at the moment there are ten), and to helping collectors discover new pieces.
Nevertheless, the question remains: Why, after almost 30 years in the business, has she decided to finally participate in a fair, and at PAD Paris specifically? “I had never tried to show in any fairs. I guess I’m not so commercial—I do gallery exhibitions and people always come to see. Also, I don’t have much stock.”
However, now matters have shifted slightly. “I decided to try," Mougin says. "2018 was my first fair, and I noticed how many people came. It was a mixed crowd and very interesting. The visitors were curious and they wanted to see and discover. There are excellent galleries, and everyone brings their best pieces.” When asked for a preview of what she will bring to PAD, Mougin smiles and says, "I have no idea! I will show at least one piece by each artist, but everything is still in progress. What I do know is, nothing I show is ever in fashion, so it can never go out of fashion."
