Yoyo Maeght, an exceptional encounter between art and solidarity
Art dealer Yoyo Maeght gave a lecture at the musée du Niel, combining her family history with a commitment to solidarity.
As part of its exhibition entitled "L'abstraction est une couleur", the musée du Niel organized a privileged encounter with a major figure of the art world, Yoyo Maeght. An art dealer, publisher and exhibition curator, named Chevalière dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2025, she perpetuates a prestigious family heritage.
Granddaughter of the famous publisher and patron Aimé Maeght, creator of the Fondation Marguerite et Aimé Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, she shared her passion and expertise during a unique evening.
An evening under the banner of philanthropy
Her lecture echoed the ongoing exhibition at the museum. She looked back on the very first exhibition of the Galerie Maeght, organized in 1946, which bore the provocative title of "Le Noir est une couleur".
Author of the best-seller "La Saga Maeght", she offered the public an intimate look at the history of modern and contemporary art, nourished by decades of experience and an intact desire to promote culture in all its forms. This encounter also highlighted the summer artistic programming initiated by Caroline and Xavier Deleval at the Château de Gaou-Bénat.
This cultural event was placed under the banner of generosity, with the support of the Fondation UNINGO, led by Caroline Deleval. This foundation's mission is to unite businesses and associations to optimize the impact of their solidarity actions, helping charitable structures to manage and expand their network of supporters more effectively.
The evening was more particularly dedicated to the Renée Sabran hospital, a partner of the musée du Niel since 2024, affirming the strong link between the cultural institution and local health and social actors.
The solidarity commitment of the evening took concrete form with the donation of all proceeds from the lecture to the Roue libre association. Created in 2005 and also based on the presqu'île de Giens, this association works for the social integration through sport of people with disabilities, whether hospitalized or not.
Thanks to a wide range of adapted equipment, Roue libre offers many disciplines throughout the year, such as sit-skiing in winter, kayaking and sit-up paddleboarding in summer, as well as wheelchair basketball, handbike, and All-Terrain Wheelchair (FTT), thus offering opportunities for escape and self-transcendence.
A rich summer program
Furthermore, Yoyo Maeght unveiled a rich summer program of exhibitions and lectures between Var, Marseille, and Vaucluse. The highlight was a double opening at the Château de Bénat in Bormes-les-Mimosas, marking the launch of a cultural season extending across the Côte d'Azur and beyond, with a series of encounters and exhibitions.
The festivities began on June 26 with the opening of exhibitions by Stefan Szczesny and FENX at the Château de Bénat. A major figure on the international art scene, Stefan Szczesny presented his solar sculptures that dialogue with Mediterranean nature, while FENX, coming from urban culture, revealed his unique pictorial universe, between figuration and abstraction.
This evening was held to benefit the Fondation Uningo. All entry proceeds (€15 per person) as well as 20% of the sales of the exhibited works were donated to the foundation.
Stefan Szczesny's exhibition continues until August 23. Finally, the Château de Bénat hosted several artists in residence this summer and the exhibition of Jean-François Conta (August 11-18). Other events are planned in the region with Stefan Szczesny's exhibition at the Château de Brégançon until September 1.
Photos Philippe OLIVIER.