Brigitte Mulholland
January 2026
MEET THE BOULEVARDIÈRE
After nearly two decades navigating the bustling energy of the New York art world, Brigitte Mulholland executed the ultimate glamorous changement de vie last April when she traded concrete sidewalks for Parisian cobblestones. Her eponymous gallery in the Marais district has a program as vibrant and fun as she is, showing exciting emerging and mid-career artists alike (and occasional coveted blue-chip names) representing the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and, naturellement, France. Her baguette-loving golden retriever, Duke, has also quickly adapted to Parisian life—when the two aren’t at the gallery, they are out exploring the streets of Montmartre together. Join us as we track Brigitte through her Parisian day, from her Marais gallery to a people-watching promenade.
THE MODERN DÉFINITION
Arthur Moss defined a boulevardier in 1927 as “a permanent fun seeker. Their life is a perpetual holiday.” What's your definition?
I think it’s someone who really enjoys their life and can find joy in work, creativity, and simply existing and wandering around the city. Living in Paris and having my gallery here feels like endless fun. Every single day is always filled with art, wandering around the beautiful city, great people, friends, conversation, food, and wine. I always tell people that there is no such thing as a bad day in Paris.
THE SPARK OF THE CITY
Which street corner, café, bar, or park in Paris constantly sparks your creativity?
Montmartre, without a doubt. Even with the influx of tourism, there is something so utterly charming and magical about the winding cobblestone streets. Seeing the majesty of Sacre Cœur against the sky always gives me chills. My dog, Duke, is also enamored with the area and always insists on taking his walks in Montmartre. He was rescued from a barn in upstate New York, but has quickly adapted to Parisian life. We’ve lived and wandered around a lot of different parts of the city, but Montmartre really is his favorite.
THE ESSENTIAL DEMANDE
The original boulevardiers demanded “wine and a song” to set the scene. What two things (physical or metaphorical) do you “demand” to keep your life feeling like a perpetual holiday?
I am definitely a boulevardier, as I demand these in my everyday life as well! Has to be good wine—I love a Saint Emilion. Sometimes it’s a dirty martini, though. The song always depends on the mood of the day. Most often, it’s either Taylor Swift or Miles Davis. I also always need art—my office and home both are hung (maybe even over-hung) with loads of art that I love.
SILENT MUSE
Describe the single, most elegantly designed object at your desk or in your studio that affects your concentration and creative workflow.
Emily Orta, one of the artists that I work with, gave me an amazing little ceramic that has turned into my business card holder. It’s an utterly unique object and brings me so much joy. I love using it as a functional object, which has made it all the more special for me. It always sparks a conversation as I grab one of my cards from it to hand over.
THE SIGNATURE STEP
What is the small, daily ritual that makes you feel instantly well-dressed or put-together and the one thing that completes your look du jour?
I have this really beautiful ring that I purchased from the jewelry shop Birdy ages ago. It has a giant green amazonite stone and it feels like such a signature piece for me; I am almost never without it. Putting it on right before I step outside feels like the final fancy step to complete my ensemble.
LEISURE & L'INSPO
How do you integrate aimless wandering or quiet observation into your creative process? Which street, in any city, is your favorite for an aimless stroll or flânerie?
I think the most important part of the creative process is the aimless wandering and pondering. Most of my writing, dreaming, and scheming is done in my head—while I’m walking or sitting in cafes. It’s the perfect way to let my brain and imagination run wild. I love wandering Montmartre of course; there’s also endless terrasses in the Marais. Buttes Chaumont is also a great place to people-watch and soak up the city. Really, it's impossible to go wrong on a walk around Paris.
L’OBJET DU DÉSIR
What have you had your eye on lately?
Years ago, I was in Lismore, Ireland for an exhibition and saw the most gorgeous ring in the window of a jewelry shop there. The piece is rather out of my price range, but I still dream about it and go to their website often just to admire it.
Sean Fader, The Coronation of Brigitte Hyperion: Look What You Made Her Do, 2025. Archival inkjet print. 101.6 x 76.2 cm
L’ART OF JOY
What is happiness to you? Do you find your truest sense of joie de vivre in your work, your relationships, or your passion projects?
Happiness comes in many forms: watching Duke race off on a walk trying to find a stray baguette on the street, feeling the crisp fall breeze, putting up the last work in an exhibition and seeing how it all came together, laughing on a terrasse with friends until my stomach hurts. I find joie de vivre in everything—it’s all equally important and I feel so lucky that I am my own boss and thus fully in charge of all aspects of my life, professional and personal.
“QUOI DE NEUF ?”
What’s inspiring you lately or something you’re excited about?
I’m so excited about the new exhibitions at my gallery, as well as the new art fair I started at 7 rue Froissart. Jessie Makinson, Hyegyeong Choi, and Sadaf H Nava have all made amazing work for my gallery at 81 rue de Turenne; and I’m so excited about the response to all of the exhibitions and performances that took place at 7 rue Froissart during Paris Art Week! Raphaelle Bertran is an incredible French artist who was presented in a solo show in my booth; and I secured 10 other international galleries to present work, alongside local performance artists such as Mariana Hahn and Kahlos Ephemere. The current show at the gallery is from Sean Fader, a series of campy sci-fi spoof photos with razor-sharp political satire.
LAST CALL
In the spirit of The Boulevardier tradition, leave us with a drink and a song.
A vieux carré and Taylor Swift’s new song “Father Figure” are a perfect way to end the night—and this wonderful chat!
As told to Paige N. Miller
