Jennifer Flay

Art world powerhouse, Jennifer Flay has made huge contributions to the fine arts, and led the renewal of one of the most prestigious arts events in the world.

The General Director of Paris’ Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain (FIAC) or International Contemporary Art Fair since 2010 and the Artistic Director from 2003 – 2010, Jennifer revived the collapsing art fair. She transformed it into the major event FIAC is today; permeating throughout the French capital and making its presence known significantly every year. Many discouraged her from taking the role but the benefits FIAC provided her and her colleagues in the eighties were invaluable. She could not let FIAC completely disintegrate and wanted to provide something for future generations.  

Born in Auckland, Jennifer studied Art History at the University of Auckland before accepting a French government scholarship to pursue her postgraduate studies at the University of Nice.

From 1982 to 1987, she worked for major contemporary art galleries and was actively involved in travelling exhibitions by Christian Boltanski, alongside American curators Lynn Gumpert and Mary Jane Jacobs, and European curators Catherine Lampert, Jan Debbaut and Serge Lemoine. She also co-authored Christian Boltanski, Catalogue – Books, Printed Matter, Ephemera – 1966-1991. In 1990, Jennifer Flay opened the Galerie Jennifer Flay in Paris. The gallery made its name as one of the most important of its generation and earned an international reputation.

Jennifer was awarded the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2012 which rewards those who have distinguished themselves and contributed to the arts in France. In 2015, she was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, the highest honorary decoration for civilians in France. Jennifer is truly an extraordinarily influential figure of the contemporary art world in France and beyond.