Even before studying geography at university, Jacques Germain had great fascination for the African continent. This magical spell is confirmed when, as a guide for Club Aventure, he takes groups of tourists to discover areas that marked the history of humanity. Completely seduced by the archeological sites dotting the Silk Road, he will make more than twenty trips to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Like other Grand Masters of modern art, his attraction to black African tribal art can be explained by an appreciation of its richness, complexity and daring. Eager to commence distribution, Jacques Germain opens his first gallery onLaurier Street. In spite of his noble intentions, he quickly realizes that to carry out this trade efficiently, he will need to roam the world of museums and collectors. He also understands that auctions at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Drouot will teach him to know and recognize art work valued by true connoisseurs. To support this undertaking, he will need to purchase a work tool that is indispensable to understand these civilizations having evolved outside the written word, and this tool is a library with thousands of reference books reflecting the continual advancement of knowledge in this field.

Climbing the ranks with over nearly twenty years of effort and passion, Jacques Germain is now world-renown. He has taken part in numerous exhibitions, including at New York’s Museum for African Arts and the Rietberg in Zurich; he has also been invited to prestigious salons, including Paris’ Parcours des Mondes. In addition to publishing articles in specialized magazines in foreign countries, Jacques Germain has also produced catalogues of artwork at his Montreal gallery.

This impressive résumé has allowed him to accept the role of guest commissioner for the Sacred Africa: Ancient Art from Sub-Saharan Africa exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts since June 2006 (the second part of this exhibition is scheduled to start in the fall of 2008). This event is an exceptional opportunity not only to discover artwork from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and McGill University’s Redpath Museum, but most importantly, to raise the curtain on the Cirque du Soleil collection.  This collection reflects the confidence that Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil president and founder, has in Jacques Germain, who for over ten years has been judiciously guiding him in the acquisition of what has become one of the best private collections of African art in Canada.

With the conviction that one does not simply become a collector overnight, Jacques Germain offers solid expertise to anyone wishing to build or expand their collection through the acquisition of irreproachable artwork.

Over the past few years, the art market has experienced a remarkable and constant expansion, notably in the primary arts. And it is in a gallery with a resolutely European cachet that collectors fromCanada, the U.S.and Europe come to admire beautiful, ancient and authentic pieces that Jacques Germain has found and continues to find in his worldly travels.

www.jacquesgermain.com

Galerie Jacques Germain (click for map)  1625 Clark, Montréal, QC H2X 2R4 , (514) 278-6575