French gallerist Kamel Mennour has announced a donation of 180 artworks to the Musée d’Art Moderne (MAM) in Paris.
The donation from the gallerist and his namesake gallery includes works from more than 45 artists who “reflect the richness and diversity of the gallery’s history since its creation in 1999, as well as the quality of its unique vision,” according to a statement.
The high-profile artist list includes Alicja Kwade, Zineb Sedira, Anish Kapoor, Daniel Buren, Ugo Rondinone, Lee Ufan, Douglas Gordon, Camille Henrot, Huang Yong Ping, Tadashi Kawamata, and Philippe Parreno. The statement added that the collection “will officially join the MAM’s permanent collections once the acquisition and validation processes have been completed by Paris Musées, as well as the French government.
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After those processes have been completed, the donation will be exhibited on the top floor of the French institution in the ARC rooms in 2027, accompanied by an “extensive” catalogue.
Speaking to the Art Newspaper, Mennour said the breadth of his gift was inspired by New York-based German dealer Michael Werner, who donated 127 paintings and sculptures to the same French institution in 2012.
“I am 59, and I thought: ‘What will I do with all this stock we have got from the artists we loved,’” he said, adding that “it would make sense to give something back to the museum, which has offered me and my city such great joys.”
The institution reportedly offered a 1,700 square meter (18,300 square feet) space for an exhibition about the donation in two years. The donation list, which includes works from both the gallery’s holdings and Mennour’s personal collection, is not yet complete and may be subject to changes before being submitted to the official commissions at the French government.