Meet Lara Sleiman

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lara Sleiman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lara below.

Lara, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

It took me a while to define my purpose. For years, I had an extremely vague idea: art. “What exactly?” you’d ask. I had no idea… I saw a career counselor who suggested auctioneer when I was 16. It sounded great, structured, and secure. But I had to start with Law. As a public profession in France, it required studying art and law. My parents were worried: as a Lebanese woman who grew up in Senegal without a guarantee of where I would live in the future, what if I moved to a country where auctioneers do not exist…Where the field is not developed enough… We agreed that I would first get my master’s in law and then specialize in art. I wouldn’t say I liked law, but I held on, and I was good at it, which convinced me that I was doing the right thing. When I graduated in 2021, I tried to pursue in art.
I applied for different masters, but the French system wanted me to start all over from year one. This is how I decided to move to New York and enter the American system that values a career switch. I was accepted to Sotheby’s Institute of Art. While in the program, I discovered many paths one could take in the Art World, and I became fond of curation. Since then, my purpose has been to highlight African Art from the diaspora through curation. It is a topic I carry deeply in my heart as I grew up in Senegal, immersed in African Art. I think it is often overlooked, unknown, and sometimes mistaken with African-American Art. African Art from the diaspora carries so many messages and stories that need to be highlighted and I decided that given them the scene they need will be my purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m Lara Sleiman, an independent art curator with a passion for highlighting emerging artists, particularly those from the African diaspora. My journey has been quite dynamic, spanning across multiple continents and cultures. I am Lebanese and I grew up in Senegal, surrounded by African art, which profoundly influenced my career path. After studying law in France, I realized my true calling was in the art world, leading me to New York, where I studied at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to give voice to underrepresented artists and showcase the richness and diversity of African art. Working with The African Art Hub (TAAH), a London-based gallery, has allowed me to promote artists from the African diaspora on a global stage. We’ve had the privilege of presenting their work at significant art fairs like 1-54 in New York and soon in 1-54 London and AKAA Paris. These platforms are crucial for bringing African contemporary art to a broader audience and fostering cross-cultural appreciation.

Looking forward, I’m excited about the upcoming fairs. Additionally, I’m working on two socially driven initiatives: one for Life Project 4 Youth, which supports young people in need, and another art event to raise funds for Palestine. These projects align with my belief in art’s potential to drive social change and support critical causes.

I’m also preparing my PhD application in African Art. This academic pursuit will allow me to deepen my expertise and contribute to large-scale exhibitions, furthering my commitment to promoting and celebrating African art globally.

On another note, I am also preparing a project with a dear artist and friend. She initiated ‘Tiny Dinners’, which I joined as a curator. It’s a gathering of carefully curated people specifically related to the art world. The purpose is to connect people and have a lovely and stimulating moment. We are now preparing special guests whose work we will highlight during these gatherings.

My multicultural background and approach to curation make my work memorable. Being Lebanese, growing up in Senegal, experiencing life in France, and now working in the U.S. helps me bring a unique perspective to my exhibitions. Art transcends cultural barriers and can initiate meaningful dialogues and social change. My goal is to create spaces where diverse voices are heard and celebrated, ensuring that every artist’s story is told authentically.

Finally, I would say that my work is driven by a deep passion for art and a commitment to supporting emerging artists. I am dedicated to creating meaningful and enriching experiences through my exhibitions, ensuring every piece of art finds its rightful place in the world. I want readers to know that I am committed to making a lasting impact in the art world by highlighting the vibrant and diverse stories of artists from the African diaspora.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey, three qualities have been particularly impactful: resilience, passion, and daring. Each of these has played a crucial role in helping me navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that have come my way.

Resilience has been a cornerstone of my journey. Transitioning from law to the art world wasn’t easy, especially within a rigid education system that often doesn’t accommodate such pivots. I faced numerous rejections and setbacks when trying to switch fields. However, resilience helped me persevere through these challenges and keep pushing forward. It taught me the importance of being adaptable and finding alternative paths to achieve my goals, such as moving to New York and joining Sotheby’s Institute of Art. For those early in their journey, I advise embracing setbacks as learning opportunities and staying committed to their vision, even when things don’t go as planned… And things rarely get as planned in the Art World!

Passion is what fuels my work every day. My love for art, especially African art, has driven me to overcome obstacles and continue advocating for underrepresented artists. Passion keeps you engaged, motivated, and focused on your goals, even when the going gets tough. For anyone starting their journey, I recommend profoundly connecting with what you love. Find that one thing that excites you and drives you forward. Passion is contagious; genuinely caring about what you do inspires others to support you and join your cause. On a personal level, it helps to wake up and feel happy about the tasks or the projects we need to accomplish.

Being daring has allowed me to take risks that have been pivotal in my career. From leaving a stable career in law to moving to a new country and starting over in the art world, daring to take these leaps of faith has opened doors I never imagined. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, embracing uncertainty, and trusting in your abilities to navigate new challenges. For those just starting, my advice is to not be afraid to take calculated risks. Be bold in pursuing your dreams and remember that the greatest rewards often come from the biggest risks. Talk to people, reach out, network. I was quite shy when I first started, but getting out of my comfort zone definitely helps build personality.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! I am always looking for people to collaborate with, exchange ideas, and support. Collaboration is at the heart of what I do, and I believe it is key to creating meaningful and impactful projects in the art world. I am particularly interested in partnering with like-minded individuals, galleries, and institutions who share a passion for elevating emerging artists, especially those from underrepresented communities such as the African diaspora.

Whether you are an artist, curator, gallery owner, academic, or art enthusiast with innovative ideas or projects that align with my focus on contemporary art and cultural exchange, I would love to connect and explore potential synergies. I’m open to working on exhibitions, research projects, community initiatives, and any endeavor that fosters a greater appreciation and understanding of diverse art forms.

If you’re reading this and are interested in collaborating, please feel free to contact me on any social media platform, such as Instagram or LinkedIn. You can also contact me directly via email. I am always excited to connect with new people, share ideas, and see how we can create something impactful together.

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