Olivier Varenne

Art dealer, curator and gallery owner

Switzerland

About

Olivier Varenne is the founder of Olivier Varenne – Art Moderne & Contemporain, a Geneva-based gallery located in the Quartier des Bains, opposite MAMCO. Across three spaces, the gallery presents a programme of exhibitions, curatorial projects and monographic shows. Recent projects include "Rétroviseur", exploring surrealist self-representation through works by Dalí, Duchamp, Man Ray and Cindy Sherman, and "Splendid", which transformed a legendary exotic cinema into an exhibition space addressing the body and the human condition, with works by Nan Goldin, Ryoji Ikeda, Oliver Beer and Conrad Shawcross. The gallery has also presented solo exhibitions by John Armleder and Chiharu Shiota. It also runs The Little Art Window in Gstaad, a window showcasing site-specific works from leading contemporary artists. Alongside his gallery programme, Olivier is a leading secondary market dealer, placing exceptional works of modern and contemporary art by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Alexander Calder with major private and institutional collections. He is also Artistic Director of the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Tasmania, where he has worked since 2006. He oversees acquisitions and exhibition programming, and has curated more than 35 exhibitions for the museum. With over 25 years’ experience, Olivier has worked across institutions, biennales and independent projects internationally. He has collaborated with artists including Marina Abramović, Matthew Barney, Wim Delvoye and Gilbert & George, while supporting the early careers of artists such as Oliver Beer, Ryoji Ikeda, Chiharu Shiota and Conrad Shawcross. Olivier is based in Geneva.

Experience

  • Owner at Oliver Varenne - Art Moderne & Contemporain
    Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

  • Mona - Museum of Old and New Art (20 yrs 6 mos)
    • Artistic Director and Acquisitions at the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA)
      Jun 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 1 mo

    • Director of Exhibitions and Collections
      Jan 2006 - Present · 20 yrs 6 mos

  • Co-Founder at Collectionair
    2015 - Dec 2018 · 4 yrs

    «Collectionair» is an online platform for collectors, curators and artists selling quality artworks at a medium price of 1 000 US$.

  • Sales Team at Gagosian Gallery
    2003 - 2006 · 3 yrs

  • Registrar at Pace Wildenstein Gallery
    2001 - 2002 · 1 yr