Jean-Noel Moneton
Award Winner - Culture - Outstanding Citizen Award 2021
FOLLOW JEAN-NEOL MONETON: @contempoartlover UNCOMMON BEAUTY GALLERY: www.uncommonbeautygallery.com
At what point in life you discovered your passion for art?
I always liked art and used to go to contemporary art auction sales in Paris a long time ago, helping friends in their art buying. When I left the corporate world a couple of years after we got acquired, I started really getting into the art world, first by working at the New Museum as a Docent. I loved it!
From France to New York, who was JEAN-NOËL MONETON in the early 90s?
I first started working in France in an international capacity that brought me to stay in Africa, Poland, Romania, Iraq, amongst others, before moving to the US at the end of 1989 as a telecom executive. We were at the vanguard of internet adoption in the early 90s. Very exciting indeed.
Why the name “Uncommon Beauty”?
It is a reflection of the gallery curating principles of diversity, inclusiveness, and also being global. Our artists are often “uncommon” and come from 7 countries on five continents. Interestingly in the art world where women, and particularly those belonging to a minority are grossly underrepresented, we represent 8 women artists and only one man! It is important to underline. It is a small step towards more equality but it is a step and we are very proud of that.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having an online art gallery?
The main advantage is that we do not incur the cost of leasing a space that is prohibitive in New York. The internet is our storefront, but it has limits, so we do art fairs and collaborates with brick and mortar galleries like 81 Leonard or Space 776 to put together shows.
