From its founding in 1984 in bucolic Jouy-en-Josas near Versailles, the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain has followed its mission to bridge the worlds of art, culture and creativity by providing an environment where contemporary artists thrive. In 1994, the Fondation moved to a Jean Nouvel-designed building on Paris’s Boulevard Raspail with 1,115 square metres of exhibition space. Through decades of exhibitions, commissions and partnerships since, Cartier has established its role as both luxury house and
art patron.
The Foundation’s platform has proved transformative for the careers of emerging artists, and its commitment to bringing in a broad spectrum of global established talent has seen it champion boundary-pushing work from such art world icons as Bill Viola, Ron Mueck, Jean Tinguely, Jean-Michel Othoniel, César, Marc Newson and Eduardo Chillida. Through educational initiatives and public art projects, the Fondation aims to foster cultural discourse, recognising art’s power to shape culture and society.
In 2006, an Agnès Varda exhibition at the Fondation titled “L’Île et Elle” recognised the profound impact of the legendary filmmaker and visual artist known for her pioneering work in the French New Wave. The exhibition delved into the complexities of emotions, memory and identity through installations inspired by Noirmoutier Island in the Bay of Biscay. The following year, the great auteur, musician and artist David Lynch’s solo exhibition “The Air Is on Fire” brought an entirely different dimension of artistic expression to the Fondation. Lynch’s surreal, enigmatic works captivated visitors, offering an immersive look into his dark, dreamlike universe through installations, photography, paintings, sounds and live performances.
Joseca Mokahesi Yanomami drew inspiration from the Amazon for “Badu Gili”. Joseca Mokahesi Yanomami, “Badu Gili: Healing Spirit”, 2024 © Joseca Mokahesi Yanomami. Photograph by Daniel Boud.
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The Fondation’s commitment to global contemporary artistic dialogue is vividly illustrated by its latest commission, for the second year of its creative partnership with the Biennale of Sydney and Sydney Opera House. “Badu Gili: Healing Spirit” illuminates the world-famous sails of Sydney Opera House with an extraordinary six-minute projection showcasing the powerful works of First Nations artists including the late Bidjigal elder Esme Timbery, along with her children Marilyn Russell and Steven Russell, alongside artist Joseca Mokahesi Yanomami of the Yanomami people (the Amazon’s largest Indigenous group).
For the first time, these vital voices are on the ultimate stage, projected onto Australia’s most iconic public site, creating a striking moment of cultural connection and visibility. The Fondation’s international director, Hervé Chandès, says the collaboration extends the organisation’s “commitment to First Nations artists from all over the world and underscores the crucial role of listening to their voices as we navigate the challenges facing our planet”.
“Badu Gili: Healing Spirit” appears on Sydney Opera House’s eastern Bennelong sails five times a night from sunset, until December 2025.
