Florence Bourgeois, director of Paris Photo: “I was able to resume my studies without leaving my post. At 39, I was an art history student ”
On the occasion of the 24th edition of Paris Photo, focus on its director, who gives pride of place to women.
Madame Figaro. – One hour of waking up?
Florence Bourgeois. – 7:30 am.
Whether to go back to the origin?
Great parents who passed on to me a passion for culture and a sense of excellence at work. My father, a medical biologist, spoke Greek and Latin, and took us on trips everywhere. My mother combined professional life and art history studies, while leading her family and her passion for the artists whose works she collected.
Course accelerators?
After an HEC preparation, a master’s degree in management and five years in an audit firm, I took advantage of my maternity leave to take a master’s degree in luxury marketing, and I joined Inès de la Fressange. Then I joined Givenchy Parfums, where I held various operational positions still linked to the international market. But I wanted to connect with the art world, which occupied my free time. I was able to resume my studies without leaving my post. Here I am in 2003 – at 39 years old – studying art history at the Sorbonne, then at the École du Louvre: I loved it.
A decisive moment?
An internship at Artcurial in 2006: I learned a lot about the art market and understood that I wanted to get involved in this universe.
Who trusted you?
Patrick Perrin offered me the general management of PAD (Paris / London), allowing me to manage an international exhibition. Two years later, I met Jean-Daniel Compain, CEO of Reed, in Los Angeles. He too believed in me by entrusting me with the reins of Paris Photo, and by allowing me to recruit Christoph Wiesner as artistic director – our six years of collaboration have been a joy.
The pitch of your position?
Director of Paris Photo, the unmissable event in the photography market, I make sure to reconcile the commercial and profitability imperatives of a major international fair with artistic excellence.
Results to be given here and now?
At the last 2019 edition: 72,000 visitors, 40% of whom are foreigners, 170 galleries and 30 publishers (two thirds foreign) and 1,000 artists exhibited. The lack of visibility of women artists is close to my heart: since my arrival in 2015, we have gone from 20% of works by women to 32%. We continue to make progress, particularly with our Elles × Paris Photo program and its platform.
A challenge for tomorrow?
Continue our mission to promote photography as a work of art. And also prepare the teams for the merger of the departments of Paris Photo and FIAC, while preserving our identities.
A digital addiction?
THE’Online viewing room of Paris Photo, which allows you to follow our programs, to discover and buy works remotely.
Paris Photo, until November 14, at the Grand Palais Éphémère, in Paris. parisphoto.com