LOGAN SQUARE — The neighborhood’s premier street art gallery is expanding with the addition of private chef and former Hell’s Kitchen contestant Brian Merel.
Merel will join the Galerie F team to help extend the gallery’s promotional reach and search for new artists, according to an announcement. The private chef and webisode star was bounced out of season 10 of "Hell’s Kitchen" by chef Gordon Ramsay in 2012, but not before earning a reputation as a first-class jokester on the show’s set.
“I give everything I have and take a very personal approach to how I work ... I'm real: no holds barred, no sugar coating. It's all real at all times,” Merel wrote in the Galerie F announcement for his new position.
“I started as a collector five years ago and slowly my collection evolved as my eyes began to open to the work that's being done around the world,” he added. “Later, I realized I wanted to be on the other side of the fence and to be involved in curating, organizing and executing shows in which I'm very passionate about the work.”
As far as his guiding principles for curation at Galerie F, 2381 N. Milwaukee Ave., Merel said he has three simple rules:
“1. Enjoy yourself. You live once. 2. Explore your work. Stagnancy is for water in an abandoned pond. 3. Be honest and mindful of those around you, especially your fans. They pay your bills," he said.
Merel said he hoped to do good things with Galerie F going forward, including helping to bring big projects to Chicago via the venue.
“Brian is a firecracker of passion, excitement, and positive vibes. He attacks each project with an unbridled ferocity and is eager to help Galerie F focus our objective as an art space,” the Galerie F crew said in a statement.
Merel will have his own official email address in the coming weeks but, until then, questions and congratulations can be sent to galeriefchicago@gmail.com.
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