Lara Sleiman: Curator on the Rise in the Art World

Imagine stumbling upon a charming West Village art studio, where I first met Lara Sleiman over tea with the talented Marie-Chloe Duval, a New York based painter. Lara's vibrant curls and warm smile mirrored the sunlight dancing through the windows as she unveiled the story behind the artwork adorning the walls.

Lara’s true gift? Crafting compelling narratives for artists. Lara curates more than just art - she designs experiences, skillfully arranging works and weaving descriptive language to guide viewers through each artist's journey. Her approach transforms passive observation into active engagement, sparking dialogue and deepening appreciation for art and its creator.

Lara's journey to the art world is as colorful as her curls. Born in Lebanon and raised under the Senegalese sun, she initially set her sights on the legal profession. Paris beckoned, and Lara answered, embarking on law studies in the City of Light. However, fate had other plans. Trading legal tomes for auction catalogs, Lara found herself at Sotheby's Institute of Art, pursuing a Master's degree. It was a far cry from her original ambition of wielding a gavel as an auctioneer, but this unexpected detour proved to be her true calling, transforming the once aspiring lawyer into an art world maven.

Lara's artistic journey found an early muse in Etel Adnan, a fellow Lebanese creative force. Adnan, a multifaceted talent, made her mark as both a painter and poet. Perhaps this was the first inclination to merge storytelling with the visual arts.

Lara's roots in Lebanon and Senegal naturally steer her focus towards the vibrant African art scene. After a year in New York she realized what an impact she could make for artists in her homeland with her increasing influence in the New York art scene. She is passionate about amplifying voices from her homeland and across the continent, showcasing the rich tapestry of African artistic expression. Her recent collaboration with The African Art Hub (TAAH), a London gallery, led her to the prestigious 1-54 London art fair. Next, she's bound for Paris, where she'll champion African diaspora artists at AKAA from October 17-20.

One of the compelling artists in Lara's portfolio is Reggie Khumalo, a South African whose artistic journey is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Khumalo embarked on a two-year motorcycle odyssey from Cape Town to Cairo, immersing himself in the continent's diverse cultures. This transformative experience introduced him to Ubuntu, an African philosophy of shared humanity. Since committing to art full-time in 2017, Khumalo has enjoyed sold-out shows across Africa, collaborated with New York galleries, and is now touring with TAAH, his work a testament to the power of cultural exploration and artistic perseverance.

Lara’s passion for hearing and telling the stories of African artists led us to another story that shows her willingness to go above and beyond to find and speak with artists she is inspired by. Alioune Diagne, the first Senegalese artist showing work at the Venice Biennale in a pavilion (this is huge!), happened to be in Senegal at the same time Lara was visiting her family back in February of this year. When a friend offered to make the introduction, Lara jumped at the chance to meet him and after a few text messages he agreed to arrange a studio visit at the house where he was finishing his body of work for the show. (The above work is 17 individual paintings)

She drove to his studio just outside of Dakar, a house in the middle of almost nowhere. Her interview with the artist covered the inspiration of this particular style from his grandfather’s way of sitting down and writing. His signature style allows the works have a hidden meaning (a message in the small text) and Lara spent the afternoon hearing about it. While Lara did not have the chance to see the show in person, Alioune messaged her photos of the show and they remain friends. Making time to visit an artist whilst visiting her family and friends shows you how passionate Lara is about art, hearing the stories behind the art and building her network of African artists to make an impact.

“They [the artists] each have something so important to say, so unique. I feel the curator’s job is to open their heart and their mind to accept those stories and connect to the artist. Curators are artists too. You need to be creative enough to understand the art, understand the artist and then find a nice way to highlight and exhibit the works.”

Lara's enthusiasm for the rising tide of African art is palpable. The recent dedication of an entire pavilion to Senegal at the Venice Biennale underscores this momentum, while platforms like TAAH continue to amplify African voices on the global stage. This surge is part of a broader shift in the art world that is quite exciting and well deserved with some truly innovative work coming out of Africa.

She's equally captivated by emerging trends across the artistic landscape. Sustainability and eco- conscious art are gaining traction, reflecting a growing environmental awareness. The incorporation of fabric in artworks and a celebration of body positivity are also prominent themes at this fall's fairs. Lara notes a fascinating evolution in figurative work, with artists like British painter Cecily Brown and New York-based Marie-Chloe Duval leading the charge in depicting nonbinary figures. These trends, Lara believes, signal a more inclusive and socially conscious direction in contemporary art.

Lara Sleiman is definitely a curator to watch as she is just at the beginning of her journey in New York!