Gilles Dyan, founder and co-chairman of the highly acclaimed Opera Gallery, has had a meteoric career to say the least. From starting by selling prints from door to door to owning one of the most respected art galleries in the world, his journey is as colourful as the art he sells. We sit down to talk to him on all things artistic.
Q: You started as a door-to-door salesman selling prints. Now you own one of the leading art galleries in the world. Tell us about the journey.
Gilles Dyan: I have always been passionate about art. My youth was somewhat chaotic and I needed to start working at an early age. I didn’t have the chance to go to university to study art. However, I was very fortunate to grow up in Paris, surrounded by beautiful art museums where I would spend all my free time. Of course, with no proper artistic background, I couldn’t pretend to work in an art gallery…So, I became a door-to-door salesman selling prints and original paintings by local artists! I actually loved it and, without undue modesty, I became quite good at it. Somehow, I got invited to participate in an art fair in Singapore. My booth was such a success that I managed to find the financial backing to be able to open my first Opera Gallery in Singapore.
I opened a gallery in Paris soon after. This was in 1994. The Hong Kong space was opened in 2005. My years as a door-to-door salesman taught me that you don’t need to be rich or educated to appreciate art or to own art. Most people I sold to at the time were people who didn’t always have big means and were intimidated to walk into art galleries. That is how I got the idea of creating spaces that could be accessible to everyone, showing masterpieces by established artists alongside pieces by young emerging artists. Art should be accessible to everyone, not just to the elite.
Q: Opera Gallery already has presence in so many countries. Are there others opening in the near future and, if yes, in which countries?
Gilles Dyan: Opera Gallery has 13 spaces around the world, in Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, Dubai, Beirut, New York, Miami, Aspen, London, Paris, Monaco, Geneva and, since March this year, in Zurich. I think that is already quite a lot, don’t you? Of course, I still want Opera Gallery to expand but I want to do it carefully. We are not a supermarket chain! I want to continue being able to show good-quality and carefully-selected art in each Opera Gallery space and I don’t believe you can do that if you expand too rapidly. Let’s say I am studying a few opportunities, but it is too early to divulge any details.
Q: How do you decide which artists to work with?
Gilles Dyan: Opera Gallery shows works by established artists as well as works by younger emerging artists that we try to promote. You wouldn’t believe how much talent there is out there! We receive portfolios by young artists every day and from everywhere around the world. So how do we choose? First of all I only work with artists whose work I personally like and admire – it is much easier to promote the work of an artist you really appreciate, that you believe in. Basically, I follow my instincts – the art must talk to me. I love all the artists we have in all 13 galleries! Secondly, I am very attentive to our collectors’ demands of course – and lastly, I rely on my staff a lot. I am lucky enough to have a wonderful staff who have discovered very talented local young artists.
Q: How important is it for Opera Gallery to promote local artists in each city where the gallery is located?
Gilles Dyan: It is very important! We are lucky enough to be established in countries where there are incredibly talented artists. Not only do we try to promote these young talents locally but our ultimate aim is to show their work in our other galleries internationally. Our collectors love to discover new talents. This is one of the things I appreciate most about having galleries worldwide – to have my European collectors discover Asian talent and vice versa.
Q: Lastly, are there any recent artists who have stood out and made a lasting impression on you?
Gilles Dyan: This is a tough question because, as I told you before, I admire each and every artist whose work I show in my galleries. Of course, some of them go on to become more successful than others, but frankly, each artist I have exhibited over the years has affected me some way or the other.
Thank you.
