This interview is with THERY Jean Christophe, CEO, MUSAARTGALLERY.
To kick things off, how do you describe your role and focus in modern art, gallery management, and curation?
My role sits at the intersection of modern art, thoughtful curation, and sustainable gallery management. I focus on shaping a clear artistic vision that supports contemporary and emerging artists while ensuring the gallery remains relevant in a fast-evolving art world.
On the curatorial side, I’m deeply involved in selecting works that spark dialogue and reflect cultural, social, and aesthetic shifts in modern art. From a management perspective, I balance the creative with the operational—building strong artist relationships, engaging collectors, and expanding our digital and physical presence.
Ultimately, my goal is to create a platform where artists can grow, audiences can connect meaningfully with art, and the gallery can thrive as both a cultural and business institution.
What experiences or turning points most shaped your path to where you are today in the art world?
A few key experiences really shaped my path in the art world. Early on, working closely with independent artists gave me a firsthand understanding of how much talent exists outside traditional, established circuits and how often it goes unsupported. That realization pushed me toward building something more artist-centric.
Over time, managing both the creative and business sides of a gallery taught me that sustainability matters just as much as vision. Launching and growing Musa Art Gallery ultimately brought all of this together—blending curation, advocacy, and entrepreneurship into a space where contemporary artists and audiences can genuinely connect.
Building on that, when you design a modern art exhibition, what first principle guides how you build the curatorial narrative?
The first principle I always come back to is clarity of intention. Before selecting a single artwork, I ask what conversation the exhibition is meant to start and why it matters now. From there, the curatorial narrative is built around coherence—each piece should add a distinct voice while still contributing to a larger story.
I also think deeply about the viewer’s journey: how they enter the space, how the works speak to one another, and how the experience unfolds emotionally and intellectually. In modern art, especially, context is everything, so the goal is to create a narrative that feels accessible without oversimplifying, allowing audiences to engage, question, and leave with a lasting impression.
In practice, how do you balance artistic integrity with commercial viability when selecting artists and works?
In practice, it’s about treating artistic integrity and commercial viability as complementary rather than competing forces. I start by prioritizing work that feels honest, conceptually strong, and rooted in the artist’s own voice. Without that, there’s no long-term value.
From there, I look at how the work can connect with collectors and audiences, whether through its narrative, craftsmanship, or cultural relevance.
I’m careful not to chase trends purely for sales, but I do think strategically about pricing, editioning, and presentation to make the work accessible. At Musa Art Gallery, the goal is to build sustainable careers for artists, which means supporting their creative growth while also positioning their work thoughtfully in the market.
On the digital front, what tactic has most effectively grown your gallery’s online presence while keeping your voice authentic?
Sharing artist stories and behind-the-scenes processes has been key. Focusing on authentic, consistent content rather than chasing trends has grown our online presence while keeping our voice genuine.
What is one practical way you use data to inform curation or pricing while preserving a visitor’s sense of discovery?
One practical approach is analyzing past sales and audience interest to set price ranges, while still curating pieces based on artistic impact rather than popularity. This allows visitors to discover works organically without feeling guided by numbers.
How do you identify an emerging art trend early enough to act on it without chasing hype?
I identify emerging trends by staying deeply connected to artists’ studios, independent collectives, and smaller exhibitions, observing what resonates creatively rather than commercially. The key is spotting consistent experimentation or new ideas gaining thoughtful engagement, rather than following what’s already trending in the market.
What habit or touchpoint has been most reliable for turning a first-time visitor into a long-term collector?
The most reliable habit is personal, meaningful engagement—taking the time to understand what resonates with a visitor, sharing the story behind each artwork, and following up with thoughtful recommendations. This relationship-focused approach builds trust and often turns a first-time visitor into a long-term collector.
What structure has worked best for mentoring emerging artists within your ecosystem so they can grow sustainably?
The structure that works best combines guidance, exposure, and autonomy. We pair emerging artists with experienced mentors for advice on technique, curation, and career strategy while giving them opportunities to exhibit in-gallery and online.
Regular check-ins and workshops provide support, but the artists retain creative control. This balance helps them grow sustainably while building confidence and a distinct voice.