April Gallerist
Meet Mathieu Capela, co-founder of the newly rebranded Parisian gallery Bremond Capela. Originally founded as cadet capela in Le Marais by Capela and Julien Cadet in 2018, the gallery welcomed Martin Brémond—alum of Almine Rech and Perrotin—as a partner last year. With Cadet stepping down, the gallery aims “to continue championing artists whose work challenges both aesthetic and social conventions,” according to Capela.
The Gallerist spoke to Capela about the rebrand, Paris’s buzzy art scene, and how Artsy supports the gallery’s mission.
What are some of the themes you’re noticing in the Paris art scene at the moment?
A younger generation of galleries is bringing real energy to the city, each developing a strong identity. There’s a diversity of voices, formats, and curatorial approaches. What’s especially encouraging is the sense of community that exists between us.
While cities like London or New York offer a wide range of gallery platforms—from collaborative initiatives to shared spaces—Paris is still catching up. That’s what makes it so thrilling to be here. We have the opportunity to shape what that next chapter could look like, and we’re excited to be part of this generation that’s helping define what’s to come.
How does Artsy fit into your overall business strategy? How do you use Artsy to promote your program?
Artsy is often the perfect entry point for a first connection. We really see it as a marketing tool—an incredible way to increase visibility for our artists and exhibitions. Once this initial contact is made, we rely on more traditional methods—emails, calls, or WhatsApp messages—to build and nurture the relationship. In that sense, Artsy plays a key role in broadening our reach and supporting the first steps of engagement with new collectors.
We make sure to share available works from our exhibitions and sometimes exclusive pieces for online-only visibility. We often coordinate uploads with press announcements or fair participation to create momentum. What we value most is the ability to introduce our program to people who might not know us yet. Artsy allows for that first encounter to happen in a dynamic and accessible way.
How do you nurture your relationships with new collectors?
We approach new collectors with transparency, patience, and a genuine interest in sharing the artist’s vision. We always try to go beyond a purely transactional relationship. Of course, there are key moments where connections deepen. But increasingly, relationships are built and maintained at a distance.
That said, we try to reclaim the role of the gallerist—not just the seller. We believe in taking time to engage in real conversations about the artists we represent.
Following the rebrand, how do you envision Bremond Capela evolving in the coming years?
With Martin Bremond joining as a partner, bringing experience from major galleries, we’ve strengthened our curatorial vision while preserving the intimacy and agility of a younger structure. The name change signals both continuity and a renewed commitment to long-term vision.