As the daughter of a famous French auctioneer, Garance Massart initially resisted working in the art world. But she eventually cut a niche for herself advising individual and corporate clients on art purchases. Ms Massart, who splits her time between Switzerland, where she is based, and Dubai, where she owns property, speaks about how she transformed a hobby of collecting art into a career.
You started collecting art when you were 18. That is quite a young age, is it not?
Since I was 18 my presents have always been artworks and I just continued. My mother, Marie France Massart, was the first woman auctioneer in France.
How many pieces do you own now?
Over 100. But there are some things that are very valuable and some things that are not valuable.
What is your most valuable work?
I sold it. [It was by Anselm] Kiefer. A lot of people didn't like it. It was dark red and brown with dried-up flowers. I was worried they were going to fall off. I quadrupled my money.
How much did you sell it for?
Almost €1 million (Dh4.6m).
You have also made a career out of your hobby. How?
I was against working in the art world because my mother had just done so much. I didn't want to be a dealer. I didn't want to be an auctioneer. I didn't want to have a gallery … so I started advising. Now I am doing corporate art programmes.
How do you choose artworks for a company?
You try to find the mission and the vision of the company and the philosophy and the culture. And you try to find a programme that fits in with what they want; yet you find good art.
Are you doing anything here?
I am working on that. We are very far from a green light. If it happens, it will be huge. At the moment we are doing a corporation in Germany where we are working with Middle Eastern artists.
Do you prefer to work with companies or people?
It's a lot more work and a lot less money [with companies] because the time invested is a lot longer, but [it is] much more fulfilling, because I site specific artworks. If I buy for a private client, I go to a fair or an auction. There's no creative process. What I am doing now is I am creating the art programme. I am the curator of that building.
Why would a business collect art and show art?
For reputation and for acquiring new clients - for many reasons: to be innovative, to be on the brink of the future, to be different from others, to stand out from your competitors and to have a better environment for your employees. It has been proven that art in the work environment increases the work ethic. Companies that have artworks have employees who are happier and work better. That's why a lot of companies are doing it now.
* Gillian Duncan
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
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The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
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Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
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Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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4/5 stars
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
