Contact: (954) 920-7997

Summer/Fall 2004

FINE ARTS GALLERY OPENS AT DCOTA – PATOU, STUNNING ARTIST IN-RESIDENCE FROM MONACO DOES ORIGINAL ABSTRACT OILS ON CANVAS, SILK & PAPER - LIMITED EDITION, SIGNED & NUMBERED MASTERS ALSO AT PATOU FINE ART

DANIA BEACH, FL: When Thierry & Patou Desormeaux recently opened Patou Fine Art (C-466) at the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA) they knew they'd be distinguishing themselves. As Thierry explains, "We have nothing against decorator art, we just prefer something that is forever
- art that you can pass down in your family from an artist whose career you can follow." Like Patou, (Patou Desormeaux) whose striking signature abstract oil paintings on canvas silk and paper are remarkably priced at $1,200 - $13,000. Their philosophy behind the new gallery: fine art - at decorative prices.

Stepping into Patou Fine Art at DCOTA is not unlike entering any other world-class art gallery in London, Paris or Soho - or on Madison Avenue in New York City. In addition to the works of Patou, one will find limited, signed, numbered and documented works from well known artists like Salvador Dali, Fernand Leger and one-of-a-kind sculptures from the Spanish artist Carlos Mata as well as others.

"Every 4 months I travel to Paris to purchase new art for the gallery," offers Mr. Desormeaux. One of those pieces is the Carlos Mata bronze in the window. This modern abstract version of a horse whose body takes on the shape of a large square is right in the middle of the window for everyone passing by to see. It's also in the Carlos Mata catalogue from the museum showing in Spain. The bronze sells at Patou for $32,000. All things relative, the Mata horse is probably not the most reasonably priced piece at Patou.

Patou, the artist whose classic good looks and charm could have been those of the model instead of the artist (and very well may have been … ) was raised in Monaco, where she met her husband, Thierry, whose business eventually led them to South Florida where they've lived everywhere from Coral Gables to Hollywood, before opening up Patou Fine Art at Design Center of the Americas. Both she and Thierry felt strongly that it was their calling to bring some of the London, New York and Paris art sensibility to Southern Florida and hope that the art and design community will embrace Patou the same way that the Desormeauxs have embraced Southern Florida.

Patou Fine Art (C-466) is open daily, Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm. Telephone: 954.925.4449