The Maxime Lancien Gallery opened its doors to Saint-Brieuc in February 2024. This place aims to highlight young contemporary artists, whether they specialize in drawing, painting, prints or sculpture. The gallery is located next to the Passerelle Theaterin the center of Saint-Brieuc,
On the initiative of the gallery that bears his name, Maxime Lancienoriginally from Brittany. He went to Paris for a few years to work as a journalist and editor before returning to his native land. These experiences allowed him to get a foothold in the artistic world by meeting painters and photographers. He notably created a publishing house, around landscape and political ecology with a landscaper friend: Jacques in the Green. Publishing has not completely left Maxime’s priorities since he continues this activity: “I set up my publishing house here, on the work of artists, on local gastronomy. I make limited editions so we can talk about micropublishing”he explains.
Highlight young creations
At the start of 2024, Maxime embarked on this new adventure after a first experience: “Last year, I had a somewhat nomadic exhibition in Saint-Brieuc at Christmas time”. After extensive research and attracted by the ideal location of this premises, one of his main criteria, he decided to install the gallery there. Since February, seven exhibitions have been presented, all focused on emerging artists. Currently, the gallery exhibits 11 artists specializing in crafts, gilding, furniture design and sculpture: “Most come from Côtes-d’Armor, which allows us to highlight local artisans.”
2024 has seen solo or group exhibitions, and above all a certain sensitivity to books and paper given the gallery owner’s professional background. After closing in January 2025, the gallery will offer a duo exhibition in February around drawing and engraving with Gaëlle Callac et Ilan Vogt : “There is no age or geographic discrimination, because I work on impulse if the work interests me and I want to support it”specifies Maxime. The gallery is a member of the network Contemporary arts in Brittanyan association based in Rennes of which he is co-president.
Galleries, showcases of Art accessible to all
Maxime would like to increase the visibility of the gallery: “It’s the first year so there are financial investments, a clientele to build, there is also a psychological barrier from certain people who will not naturally visit and buy in the galleries”. He also recently organized the Night of the Galleries with two other Briochine galleries, which made it possible to reach a wider audience. The books and works are sold at rather affordable prices: “We find works between 15 and 30 euros and works between 70 and 80 euros. There are also unique pieces at 2000 euros which are more difficult to sell”. The fact of having settled in Saint-Brieuc, although it is a deliberate choice, does not allow it to have the same visibility or the same clientele as in the capital. So, to consolidate its presence, Maxime participates in trade shows outside the region: “There is the physical gallery and there are the nomadic galleries which allow you to make yourself known”he specifies. Public aid from the National Center for Plastic Arts helps gallery owners to participate in fairs abroad, by promoting French galleries internationally, for example: “Galleries are essential to introduce people to different worlds, it is a cultural complement, there is really a witness side which can bring visibility to the arts”.
Until December 28, 2024, the collective exhibition Art in everything concludes this year of artistic transmission. The exhibition highlights excellent know-how that blurs the boundary between contemporary art and artistic craftsmanship. Several supports and techniques are used, inviting the viewer on a journey to the heart of modernity.
Practical information:
Site internet
21 rue Saint-Gouéno, Saint-Brieuc, France
06 02 06 74 72 / [email protected]
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