Situated in the Rue de l’Université of the 7th Arrondissement area, the building was built in the Haussmannien style – the gallery is an amalgamation of tradition and modernity
The women behind Septieme
Art is the act of persevering humanity. Founded by co-directors Julie Banâtre and Léa Perier Loko, Septieme Gallery was born in 2019, a few months before the first reported cases of the global pandemic. Having met at an artistic representation agency, the two co-founders and directors coalesced their adoration and passion for art and founded Septieme.
«The both of us worked at the agency for the span of four years before branching out and beginning our journey as gallerists», explains Banâtre. The intent behind founding a physical space became the motivating factor for launching Septieme from its initial stages of ideation.
«There is a gap that can be bridged between a set of individuals in a gallery: be it the artist, gallerist, curator, potential buyers, and consumers of all kinds. That is not a sentiment that can be expunged from the art world. Physical encounters of art encapsulate the experience».
Having worked with each other over a span of years, Banâtre and Loko explain that their varying identities and know-how of each other’s needs allow for a smooth mode of business in managing the ins and outs of Septieme. Loko adds that the journey of navigating the art world can be a lonely one. Thus, sharing the opportunity with a peer allows for different outcomes – be it in curating, scouting creators and bouncing opinions between each other which fosters a healthy and productive work environment.
Julie Banâtre before Septieme gallery
The co-directors of Septieme led varied lives before engaging in the arts. Banâtre shares her experiences first, stating that it was her interest in the arts that «serendipitously segued me into the art world». Having worked as a social worker for a center of displaced individuals in New York City for eight years, she explains, «I was born and raised in New York. My social work had steered me to Paris and that was when I had the epiphany that my time in this role had outgrown me».
She left the role and founded a non-profit to create accessibility for those interested in volunteer work. Banâtre came across what she considers a «chance encounter» to her first foray into the art world through this initiative. She states, «the initiative was one that coalesced social work and art under one umbrella – where the goal was to host a fashion show in a women’s prison. The individual I worked with here would go on to become my superior at the artistic representation agency I would end up working for».
Léa Perier Loko before Septieme gallery
Loko on the other hand began her professional career in hopes of becoming a lawyer. She explains, «I studied law but did not pursue the profession after I graduated. Instead, I ventured to Benin in West Africa». During her time abroad, Loko partnered with a peer and worked to realize an art center that organized exhibitions and openings welcoming art from the locale. After spending a period of time in Benin, Loko returned to Paris.
With a fervor for the arts, the co-director pursued a degree in anthropology, art studies and curatorial studies to polish and sharpen her skills and to allow for a transition from the realm of law to the arts. «Once I completed my degree in the arts, I participated in a few art fairs and found my way into the agency where I met Julie».
Lampoon review: Septieme Gallery
The naming of the gallery, as Banâtre explains, took a stretch of time in the business’ infancy. Having listed a series of names, the co-directors share that they did not intend on naming the gallery after themselves.
Ruling out this possibility and shifting the focus on the area in which they inhabit – the 7th Arrondissement – the founders affixed a name after its location. As Banâtre puts it, «Seventh in French means Septieme. There is an emphasis on the letter ‘P’ in the pronunciation of the name of the gallery as we believe it to be more accessible to those who do not understand the French language and allow them to enunciate the name. By doing so and going against the grain, we were able to create a brand and presence for ourselves».
Situated in the Rue de l’Université area of the 7th Arrondissement area, the building in which Septieme resides, as explained by Banâtre, was built in the Haussmannien style of architecture. Separated across two levels, the gallery is an amalgamation of tradition and modernity. Surrounding the interior are the white walls that are seen across galleries to allow for the pieces to become the main focus.
In an effort to weave the identity of the building into the gallery, the co-directors retained the wooden pillars and wooden flooring of the gallery, which cast a French allure to the building. Loko explains, «We had a keenness to want a smaller gallery in a space that has resounding architecture and periphery as opposed to larger spaces in Paris».
A second gallery in Cotonou, Benin
While the co-directors manage Septieme in Paris, they have additionally sprouted a second gallery in Cotonou, Benin. When prompted on the intent behind the second gallery, Loko explains that it was founded due to her having spent time in the area.
The architecture of the gallery in Cotonou is, as described by the co-directors, to be industrial and large, a contrast to the main gallery. Having repurposed a defunct warehouse, the co-directors designed the building to their know-how and liking. «The space is large and the length from the floor to the ceiling is approximately four meters. We tried to replicate a similar breath of air for the gallery in Cotonou by incorporating large windows».
The intention of having floor-to-ceiling windows lies in the intent of allowing art to be accessible to the masses. «The windows serve as a symbol of transparency on both sides – be it from across the threshold or from within the confines of the gallery». Loko explains that the art displayed within the gallery is available for all to see through the large windows across its two locations; be it for passersby or those who are intimidated and feeling timorous in their comprehension of art.
In doing so, the gallery has leveled itself as a space for the inhabitants of the cities they exist in to become an educator of the arts for all through their mere existence. Casting a contrast, the co-directors explain that the gallery in Cotonou draws in significant traffic compared to its counterpart in Paris. Balancing their time between Paris and Benin, Septieme in Cotonou is managed by a gallerist based in the area.
The art in Septieme
The art that lies in the confines of Septieme is varied in all of its forms and that, as Banâtre explains, comes from the collation of artists that the co-directors have accrued over time. Sourcing their artists across many modes and mediums, the co-directors share that social media plays a riveting role in allowing for the discovery of new creators in the arts.
«When seeking out artists, we do not restrict ourselves in the types of art we intend to feature. Creators come from all over the world and there are some who submit their works to us for consideration. This is how we have built a portfolio of works over the years», explains the co-directors. Due to its variety in background and origin, the art featured at Septieme carries a sense of steadfast individuality.
Though each piece differs from the next, Banâtre affirms that there is a commonality that all of Septieme’s artists share – the desire to flit and explore the creativity of the ‘in between’. Banâtre explains that the exploration of this theme is featured in their art and their individual self-expression.
Current exhibition at Septieme Gallery
The exhibition taking place at this moment at Septieme features works that include sculptures and mixed media works. At this point in time, the gallery is hosting eight works from Septieme’s pool of creators.
Having recently opened their Cotonou location in September, artists featured in their satellite gallery come from the locale as well as pre-existing artists Septieme represents. «Being new, our focus has been maintained towards finding a balance between scouting creators from the periphery whilst also weaving in works of artists that we believe would require a larger space. The satellite location works well for this».
In the matter of selecting works, the co-directors state that they do not work within a tangible rubric. Rather, they prompt pieces in the gallery through feeling. Loko explains that though it takes time to refine, trusting one’s eye and way of seeing art creates room for the exploration of new works. «Everyone sees art differently and there should not be a disconnect or segregation between those who curate and those who view art because art is for everyone».
Exhibitions and the Future
Having recently taken part in Untitled Miami in the month of November, Banâtre explains that the exposure in taking part in an art showcase like this has left them wanting more. The co-directors featured works from two artists and have shared their ardor for wanting to partake in upcoming art shows to share the art and curate connections with the insiders of the industry.
Whilst they intend on partaking in art shows to come, the focus on exhibitions has not been left unattended. When prompted on their most memorable show, the duo shares theirs to be ‘Locker Room’ by artist Louka Anargyros, a French-born creator who works between Paris and Copenhagen. «We did a solo of his work in June and he transformed the gallery into a Moto GP locker room and displayed life-sized motorcycling gear made from ceramic».
The exhibition was met with adulation from the public, where the topic of the show explored the themes of masculinity and different art mediums to create a final product. Banâtre shares that guests who attended the show were surprised when they learned that the pieces were constructed out of ceramics as opposed to leather. «We intend on showcasing Anargyros’ work at Art Basel in the coming year», explains Loko. She adds, «Since the first ‘Locker Room’ show in June, we’ve seen other creators who have produced a similar vein of work, cementing the impact of the artist and their work in the art world».
Septieme Gallery
31 Rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris, France. Casting in creators of all backgrounds, Septieme is a contemporary art gallery pushing discussions on topics discussed through art as a medium.
