The Meller Merceux Story
Meller Merceux is a chain of two provincial Art Galleries. It invites customers be part of the art world - a place that is shrouded in mystery and excitement, and to partake in its rituals and customs.
Beginnings
The story begins with Aidan Meller. He began trading as an Art dealer in 1998. Coming from the distinguished Meller family based in the Midlands, he learnt a great deal from his parents who were Historians, who ran a small family museum. Meller had always had an interest in the visual arts, and studied Art History as a component to his university degree. However it was while he was travelling, he came across a fascinating exhibition of work by Braque in Monaco. He encountered the power within the work, its messages and heightened emotions. As time wore on Meller befriended a group of artists who showed him how an artist was able to see the world around them differently. He decided to set up a platform for artists to share their vision.
The Vision
With initial training from Sotheby’s, Meller opened his first Gallery called The Meller Merceux Gallery in Witney just outside Oxford. He says, “It is an amazing industry and few people have the chance to be part of it. Curating work by living contemporary Artists through the Meller Merceux Gallery, I wanted to give people opportunity to enjoy a diversity of work and touch the messages that are expressed through Art. It really can be an emotive experience.” This went on to setting up a second Gallery in the centre of Oxford. He believed the city of Oxford was a great environment for enjoying the work.
The Result
Setting up a platform, he decided to go for the best in the business, within Contemporary or Modern Art. This meant finding the best drawings, paintings or sculptures by the greatest known Artists in the world, living or dead. From Modern masters like Picasso, to contemporary heavy weights like Damien Hirst, this approach really raised the profile of the work in the Gallery. At last the Gallery was able to show the best Modern and Contemporary Art there was to offer. Meller continues this ongoing drive to work with Artists and artwork today.
