Our tour begins at number 24, where 193 Gallery is located. The space immediately impresses with its light and volume. It is currently hosting Rob Tucker’s exhibition The Mystical Point of View (until April 18), in which the New Zealand artist layers acrylic and oil sticks before sealing his works under epoxy resin. The result is landscapes with deep, almost liquid colors that irresistibly draw the eye. In another room, you will discover the dreamlike canvases of Indian artist Pavan Kavitkar. The gallery is surprisingly large, extending over several rooms and even an upper floor.
@benarpea art gallery Paris
A few steps away, at 21 rue Béranger, the Ben Arpéa Galerie offers a totally immersive experience. The artist has transformed the entire space into a canvas, painting directly on the walls. You literally enter his hyper-graphic universe, where even the furniture is part of the installation. It’s a playful and daring approach that breaks with the traditional exhibition format.
Continuing down the street, named after the 19th-century poet Pierre-Jean de Béranger, you will find DS Galerie at number 15. Pierre Dumaire presents his exhibition L’heure Fauve (until March 28). His specialty is painting on silk, a technique that gives his works an incredible softness and fluidity. The colors blend with a delicacy that gives his intimate scenes a magnificent pastel tone.
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Just opposite, at number 13, is Brémond Capela. To get there, you have to push open a heavy building door, cross a paved courtyard, and ring a bell. A door then opens onto a spectacular exhibition space under a huge glass roof . The atmosphere is calm and the program changes every six weeks, guaranteeing new discoveries with each visit.
For our last stop, let’s take a slight detour to 8 rue Charles-François Dupuis. The Galerie Estace presents a collection of major contemporary artists. During our visit, Stephen Peirce’s work in the group exhibition Masterpieces (part I)(until February 12) stood out in particular. His paintings possess a striking, almost photographic realism. The building’s architecture, with its spiral staircase and vaulted stone cellar, is also worth a visit.
Why visit?
This walk proves that art in Paris is everywhere, often where you least expect it. These galleries offer a great alternative to crowded museums. Admission is often free,and the welcome is much more personal. You have time to observe the works, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy a moment of calm away from the crowds.
contemporary art galleries Paris
So, the next time you’re out and about in the city, be curious. Push open those doors, even the ones that might seem intimidating. Gallery owners are passionate people who love to talk about the artists they represent.