Founder and CEO of MTArt Agency, Marine Tanguy joins us for the latest instalment of From The Desk Of...
An advocate for artists, Marine Tanguy’s talent and creative agency is the leader in its field. Founded in 2015, MTArt Agency champions “up and coming visual artists worldwide” and “delivers exciting art-driven projects for brands, public bodies, and cultural organisations”, taking a wide-lens approach to “investing in and supporting the person behind” the art and accelerating “their artistic reputation, visibility, and success”.
With offices in London, Paris, Madrid, and Monaco, the agency has built an international empire that continues to grow (the company are in the process of opening new offices in Doha and Los Angeles) with Tanguy at its helm. We sat down with MTArt Agency’s innovative founder to learn about her work practices, what sparks her interest, and the best advice she’s ever received.
How do you start your days?
Totally depends; as a founder/entrepreneur, no day is the same.
What’s your go-to uniform?
I like to adapt my dress code to where I am heading – trainers for an artist studio, high heels to a premiere, a suit to an investment meeting…
Describe your workspace/ workplace…
I am lucky to be at a stage where the company is no longer a start-up so we can treat ourselves to wonderful offices: in London, we are in Marylebone in a listed building filled with art and in Paris, we are in the 9th arrondissement in a Haussman building, all filled with the art of our artists. I am excited to build our Doha office this year.
Identify something in your workspace that’s special to you (and why)…
A wonderful, strong, and positive energy. With the artworks displayed, natural light and, of course, the people that fill it.
What are your workplace essentials?
Art, great brains, a phone, and a computer.
What time of day are you at your most creative?
Luckily, all day, which is a true luxury.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The people, always: seeing my artists rise and our clients happy.
What did you study in school/university?
History of Art/Philosophy.
What was your first job?
At 21, I was the gallery manager of Steve Lazarides for his The Outsiders Gallery – he discovered Banksy and was an incredible first boss to have.
Where are you from originally?
Île de Ré, a tiny little island off the West Coast of France.
What sparked your interest in art?
The world around me. We consume so many visuals everyday, I wanted to make sure that the stories we were telling were inspiring and by artists that I loved and I wanted to help doing just that. It became my TEDx Talk.
Do you have a mentor or inspirational figure that has guided or influenced you?
So many! Luckily I am advised daily by the best brains: Saul Klein, Frederic Jousset, Michael Ovitz…
What’s the most important business lesson you’ve learned?
So many again! I learn every single day and I am lucky to have the best team to do it with. Most of my senior team are successful entrepreneurs who exited their own company and joined alongside the top seniors from Sotheby’s and Vogue.
The best advice you ever received…
Be careful, you are the only one in this room who do not come from wealth.
What are you working on right now?
Opening our new offices in Doha and Los Angeles and so many exciting news: major artists are joining us and dream clients!
Any Questions or Tips to add?