Gallery and Artist Studio tour with Emmanuelle Grelier and Gigi Mills

The Bruce Contemporaries hosted a captivating virtual visit to the new gallery Emmanuelle G. Contemporary Art on Lewis Street in Greenwich on February 3, 2021. Emmanuelle Grelier discussed her vision for opening her gallery during the pandemic and attendees heard from artist Gigi Mills, who spoke about her work (and worked on a piece!) from her Santa Fe studio. Attendees also viewed current works by Gigi Mills and mixed media artist, Lyndi Sales, among others, in the gallery. 

Born in France, Emmanuelle Grelier first worked in fashion in Paris, London and New York but in the wake of her life upheaval, her passion for contemporary art—born out of years spent at auction’s houses, museums and galleries—led her to change her professional path. She first worked for a leading gallery in New York City before launching Emmanuelle G. Contemporary Art on Lewis Street in Greenwich.

Emmanuelle G. was created to curate an accessible, dynamic collection of artworks from talented French and international artists who we sincerely believe in, and who we actively engage with. With an open approach, our goal is to showcase our artist's vision and give them a strong presence in the art world, by working in various locations and cities, via art fairs, and special collaborations. Emmanuelle G. features the work of many contemporary artists, including Gigi Mills.

Gigi Mills work is born out of her need and desire to simplify and/or reduce each moment to its absolute essential, by removing details from life that tend to obscure what is truly being experienced. It is also her desire to bare witness to, and often to lift up in beauty what is so often considered unwanted or held in despair. Ms. Mills was born in Ohio into the well-known Mills Brothers Circus family. Both performing and the plastic arts were admired and encouraged. Early on ballet and modern dance took up much of her focus and formal education. It was not until many years later she began teaching herself to paint. Though she is influenced by several of the early and mid-twentieth century painters she has developed a style distinctly her own.