Mathieu Gaulin
AUGUST 5, 2024
Public art activates communities in unexpected ways, says Mathieu Gaulin, Senior Director, Professional Medical Staff Services at Boston Children's Hospital, national leadership speaker, and contemporary art collector. One of the most recent additions to the Board, Mathieu looks forward to seeing how the Triennial will advance city-wide opportunities to interact with public art. We talked with him about the impact of the natural world on public art and the intersection of arts education and community-building.
What are you most excited to bring to Boston Public Art Triennial by serving on the Board?
I truly believe in the power of art to activate and amplify community, however one chooses to define such a term. Having the opportunity to shape Boston’s art future with such a talented group of individuals has me really excited about joining the Boston Public Art Triennial Board. I hope that my interest in arts education and its impacts on communities will help the Board shape Boston’s future for many years to come.
Why are you passionate about public art and what do you see as its impact on communities?
Meeting people where they are and giving them an opportunity to live with art is pretty awesome. Public art breaks down any barriers to access. It is really exciting to live with art, see it regularly and react to it. You never truly know how art will impact someone’s path, especially as it activates their community. I hope that these works will spark engagement and discussion, or just be a great place to meet your friends and have a look.
What is your favorite public art installation in the last year?
Rose B. Simpson’s recent installation at Madison Square Park was pretty awesome (Seed, 2024) with the right balance of being both monumental and respectful to the surrounding park. I saw it at the beginning, but I’m sure that as nature surrounds the work, it will activate in pretty amazing ways. I have loved her work in a museum/gallery context for a while, but to see it installed in this way was incredibly eye-opening.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I hope people take the time to see, reflect on, and share the beautiful art around them with their family and friends. You never know how much of an impact a work of art will have in someone’s life, so the opportunity to live with a work in your community could have a profound impact. Please go often, share broadly, and form an opinion!