UNESCO Art Gallery: global cultural conservation

On the occasion of new donations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is opening the doors of its art gallery at its Paris headquarters. With nearly 1,800 objects from all over the world, UNESCO's art collection bears witness to the world's cultural wealth, spanning almost 8,000 years of history.

‘Art doesn't divide us, it unites us’, declared Jiang Qiong Er, a Franco-Chinese artist and designer, during a press visit organised last June at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, to coincide with the presentation of new donations to the institution's art collection.

A wealth of culture

Launched over 60 years ago, this gallery is the fruit of the work of numerous artists from around the world working on the theme of peace. Miro, Picasso and Calder are the pioneers of this collection. They have now been joined by other international artists, including Jiang Qiong Er, Michelangelo Pistello, an Italian figure from the Arte Povera movement, and Shelomo Selinger, a Franco-Israeli sculptor exploring memory and resilience.

The main aim of this collection, which is still little known to the general public, is to promote and conserve the world's cultural heritage. Spanning nearly 8,000 years of history, the collection contains some 1,800 works of art (paintings, sculptures, graphics, etc.) created by more than 360 artists in 150 different countries. This rare treasure trove is on display at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Between donations and restorations, the walls are adorned with their most beautiful colours and the storerooms are filled, creating priceless diversity and a cultural bridge between the institution's member states.

Promoting peace

Created in the aftermath of the Second World War, UNESCO's principal mission is to maintain international peace and security. In a world where conflicts rage, this art collection is a means of promoting peace and encouraging the creation of dialogue. ‘Art may not solve conflicts, but it opens a window to dialogue and perhaps peace,’ says Jiang Qiong Er.

Under the impetus of Director-General Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO art gallery is now open to the public. Anyone can come and discover this wealth of culture via guided tours, bookable online, on Heritage Days in September or during Museum Night in May, to suit all types of audience. ‘We're creating a dynamic for all audiences,’ says Lyndra Frenois, former manager of the UNESCO collection under Audrey Azoulay.

To find out more, read our Art News report on the subject on our online platform.