Kamel Mennour Donates 180 Artworks to Paris’s Musée d’Art Moderne

Paris’s Musée d’Art Moderne (MAM) is poised to deepen its contemporary collection with an extraordinary donation of 180 artworks from renowned French gallerist Kamel Mennour and his eponymous gallery.

Spanning over 45 leading artists, the donation reflects the gallery’s rich history since its founding in 1999 and highlights its distinctive curatorial vision. Among the star-studded roster are Alicja Kwade, Anish Kapoor, Daniel Buren, Ugo Rondinone, Lee Ufan, Douglas Gordon, and Camille Henrot, to name a few.

Once officially acquired and validated by Paris Musées and the French government, these works will become part of MAM’s permanent collection. The pieces are scheduled for public display in the museum’s expansive ARC rooms on the top floor by 2027, accompanied by a comprehensive catalogue to contextualize the gift.

Mennour, reflecting on his motivations, cited a precedent set by German dealer Michael Werner, who gifted over 120 artworks to MAM in 2012. “I am 59,” Mennour shared, “and I thought: ‘What will I do with all this stock from the artists we loved?’ It felt right to give back to the museum that has given so much joy to me and to Paris.”

The institution is preparing a generous 1,700 square meter (18,300 sq ft) space to showcase this landmark donation. The final list is still being refined and will undergo government commissions before becoming a permanent cultural treasure for Paris and the global art community.

This donation cements Mennour’s legacy as a pivotal figure bridging the gallery world and public institutions, enriching Paris’s vibrant contemporary art landscape with works that will inspire generations to come.

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