From a renowned location in Mayfair in London, the founder of JD Malat Gallery speaks about expanding to Dubai and creating a bridge for artists between the Middle East and Europe.
Canvas: How did JD Malat Gallery first start?
Jean-David Malat: I opened the gallery in London in 2017, but I’ve been working in the art industry for many years. Since 2005 I’d worked for different commercial galleries and been a private advisor for important people, museums and foundations, but I then decided to open my own gallery, which had always been my ambition. I wanted to be able to represent the artists that I like, and deal mostly in primary markets. Now, after a few years, we’ve decided to open a second space in Dubai and I’m very excited to be here.
Why do you feel this is the right time to be in Dubai?
You can feel the energy here. The region’s scene is constantly growing and there is so much potential in terms of art and a collector base of people with a sensibility for art. We showed at Abu Dhabi Art last year and commercially it was quite a big success for us, especially as a first entry into the market.
There is also a lot of young talent in the region that needs to be given a platform, which is not always easy. Of course, you have social media, but a gallery is a gallery and nothing will replace that. If I can give this platform to artists, I think that’s a good achievement. Also, because we have the gallery in London, it allows for reciprocity between the two cities.
What can you tell us about the location and why you chose the Boulevard in Downtown Dubai?
I was very lucky to find the space on the Boulevard. I wanted to be in that particular location because of the people walking by, the coffee shops and existing galleries. It’s almost like the Champs-Élysées of Dubai! I could stay there for hours, looking at what’s going on from morning to night. There is also outdoor space with the potential for sculptures.
How do you see JD Malat Gallery contributing to the wider art scene in the UAE?
I’m bringing something different in terms of the artists I represent, who are not all represented in the region. My objective is also to discover artists from the region for the future, because I am very interested in the art scene here. I hope to meet artists and bring one or two on board with the gallery, who I can then push internationally not only at our space in London but also through the art fairs we attend. For example, in February we are showing at Zsonamaco México Arte Contemporáneo.
What can you tell us about the first exhibition at the Dubai location?
For the opening, I’ll be doing a group show called Carte Blanche with artists represented at the gallery.
The exhibition will show works by 14 artists: Kojo Marfo, Conrad Jon Godly, Santiago Parra, Henrik Uldalen, Ed Moses, Andy Moses, Luis Olaso, Ur Kasin, Tim Kent, Sophie-Yen Bretez, Georg Óskar, Masayoshi Nojo, Katrin Fridriks and Yann Leto. Marfo is an artist who I’ve represented for many years, as I have the estate of Ed Moses. Godly recently had a solo show at the gallery in London with no fewer than 35 paintings! After disappearing for five years, he began painting again only recently and we’ll be showing two of his works in Dubai. Overall, this first show will be a mix of artists so that new audiences can see the diversity of the different artists that I represent as an image of the gallery. After that, we plan to present mostly solo shows until the end of the year.
