By: Claire Breukel By: Claire Breukel | October 24, 2022 | People,
Gabriel Kilongo presents his gallery, Jupiter Contemporary, bringing the cultures of the world under one roof in Miami.
In March 2022, Gabriel Kilongo relocated to Miami and founded Jupiter Contemporary, bringing with him two and a half years of sales experience with New York gallery Mitchell-Innes & Nash and a unique personal history. Located in North Beach, Jupiter Contemporary is a nascent space for international emerging talent. Miami magazine spoke to Kilongo about his love for Miami and his multinational vision.
Portrait of Gabriel Kilongo PHOTO BY JENNA PERRY, © JUPITER CONTEMPORARY, 2022
How did you come to Miami?
I moved to Miami to quarantine instead of being caged in my NYC apartment. We did a pop-up gallery with Mitchell-Innes & Nash in the Miami Design District in 2020. It was a great success, and we replicated the concept in Aspen the following summer and again in Miami last winter. Since moving to the United States, I’ve been drawn to Miami because it reminds me of home, which is Israel. But after living and working here, I discovered many aspects of the art scene and fell in love. I am so impressed by Miami’s cultural diversity.
Works on view in the Yirui Jia exhibition PHOTO COURTESY OF JUPITER CONTEMPORARY AND THE ARTISTS
How does your background inform and distinguish your gallery program?
At the age of 9, my family and I were plucked out of our roots in the Congo. My family was being targeted by Rwandan rebels and Israel offered us shelter. While in Israel, I went to a school with kids from 48 different countries in a neighborhood in the south of Tel Aviv predominantly filled with immigrants. I had friends from Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Colombia, Venezuela, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, France, Poland, Mongolia… you name it. I wanted the gallery to emulate this heterogeneity by presenting artists from a variety of cultures.
Works on view in the Yirui Jia exhibition PHOTO COURTESY OF JUPITER CONTEMPORARY AND THE ARTISTS
What is the conceptual thread of Jupiter Contemporary’s program?
To introduce emerging voices who exhibit strong artistic excellence around the world. We want to give artists exposure and develop their careers. We currently present seven to nine artists per year and will establish a roster as we go. Dylan Rose Rheingold, Marcus Leslie Singleton, Yirui Jia, Fábio Menino, Elbert Joseph Perez and Monsieur Zohore are incredibly gifted artists that collectors should get to know.
Installation view of the Marcus Leslie Singleton exhibition with gray floor of the gallery PHOTO COURTESY OF JUPITER CONTEMPORARY AND THE ARTISTS
Jupiter Contemporary is located next to Central Fine, a successful gallery founded by Diego Singh. Will you collaborate?
It was pure and beautiful accident. Gallerist Bill Brady told me about Central Fine while I was in Miami managing Mitchell-Innes & Nash. The space next door was vacant and in a horrible state but had great potential as an art gallery. The landlord was from Israel, which helped. The neighborhood and the story about the conception of the island are incredibly charming. The area has great potential to generate synergy and contribute to the Miami art scene. 1228 Normandy Drive, Miami Beach, jupitercontemporary.com
Dylan Rose Rheingold, “The Girls Room” (2021) PHOTO COURTESY OF JUPITER CONTEMPORARY AND THE ARTISTS
Photography by: Photo By: Jenna Perry