MONTREAL.- The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts announced that Jennifer Laurent has joined its team as Curator of Modern and Contemporary Decorative Arts.

Originally from Ontario, the bilingual Jennifer Laurent makes her home in Montreal. Following a degree in art history from McGill University, Laurent studied French decorative arts from the Renaissance to the 20th century at Christie's Education in New York and then went on to complete her master's in art history and museology at the Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV)/École du Louvre. Throughout her career in decorative arts, she has lived in Toronto, Abu Dhabi and Paris.

Jennifer Laurent has previously worked in the 20th Century Decorative Arts department at Christie's Auction House, in Paris, and the Design department of the Centre Pompidou's Musée national d'art moderne. Owing to her expertise in the work of the Eileen Gray, Laurent was tasked with leading the research for the Pompidou's exhibition on the Irish architect and furniture designer (2013). Laurent also contributed to the catalogue of the Eileen Gray exhibition, which will be presented at New York's Bard Graduate Center in 2020. From 2006 to 2009, Laurent headed Toronto's Miriam Shiell Fine Art gallery specialized in 20th century modern art. Since 2017, the MMFA has collaborated with Lauren on several modern and contemporary decorative arts projects.

Nathalie Bondil, Director General and Chief Curator, MMFA, notes, "The Museum will greatly benefit from Jennifer Laurent's knowledge and passion for modern and contemporary design as well as her experience and relationships with some of the MMFA's partner institutions abroad – including the Musée des arts décoratifs in Paris, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Her background in research and contacts with local and international curators and collectors are an asset that will enable the Museum to continue to expand its outstanding collection, donated by the late Liliane M. Stewart."

Jennifer Laurent succeeds Diane Charbonneau, who recently retired after a remarkable 20-year career at the Museum. The MMFA would like to take the opportunity once again to underscore Charbonneau's dedication and accomplishments.