P h e n o m e n a l W o m e n
Interview Series
M A R I N E T A N G U Y
An advocate for artists since a young age, Marine Tanguy managed her first gallery at age 21 and opened her first art gallery in Los Angeles at age 23. After seeing the restrictiveness of the traditional gallery model, Marine launched MTArt Agency in 2015. MTArt is the first talent agency for visual artists worldwide. B Corp certified, MTArt supports artists commercially through brand partnerships and commissions for public spaces, as well as collectors. Marine was awarded Forbes 2018 30 under 30 Europe: Art & Culture and UK entrepreneur of the year for the 2019 NatWest Everywoman Awards. She is a writer and keynote speaker on contemporary art and art investment. Her talks include two TEDx Talks on how to transform cities with art and how social media visuals affects our minds.
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What inspired you to pursue a career in art and start your own agency?
I wanted to create the best business model for the top artists in the world. I wanted to make sure that I could attract the most exciting clients while offering the best support to my talents. That’s why we created our talent agency: we represent the most exciting artists and make sure to create the most exciting projects for them.
You entered the Industry at such a young age, what were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
The industry is shaped for people who are privileged and I wasn’t. Most didn’t care about making money and whether or not they sold the works of their artists, I did as I needed to strive and look after myself. That’s why I am so passionate about representing the best artists, not just the ones who can afford it.
MTArt is currently investing in artists across the globe, what is the criteria for artists wanting to be involved with MTArt?
We want them to be more innovative technically (our artist Jasmine Pradissitto invented a material that absorbs the pollution from the air, our artists Obvious were the first artists to sell an artwork at Christie’s that was created with AI etc) and have an amazing story (Adelaide Damoah battles for women to be more equal and empowered, Saype for the world to be more sustainable etc).
What advice would you give a young person who would like to follow in your footsteps, in art or launching their own business
Build a business of your own, that represents what you believe in life. Stop looking around, concentrate and work hard.
How can women empower other women?
By constantly helping each other - I am heartbroken for every conflict women have with each other.
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Fire Questions
First thing you do when you wake up in the morning
I go and wake up my 5 months old son. I love his smile.
Someone who inspires you
Simone Weil - she wasn’t afraid.
What is the one thing you can’t live the house without
My phone
Whats the most important piece of advice you’ve been given in your career ?
‘Careful darling, most people in this world have nets. You don’t. So build something different.’
You once said 'Instagram is like Junk food', can you tell us more
I didn’t say that - I said that the visuals we see on social media can have the same affect as junk food if we don’t curate them. Cf our movement: http://www.visualdiet.co.uk/ and my TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnOv57ywMFs
