GALERIE IMANE FARÈS

Installation views of Emeka Ogboh’s exhibition Quand il y en a un, ça va… at Imane Farès Gallery, 2022. Photos by Tadzio.

Ali Cherri Sinzo Aanza James Webb - Choose the Universe Basma al-Sharif - Story of Milk and Honey

In 2010, Imane Farès created an art gallery donning her name, in Paris, to celebrate contemporary artists from Africa and the Arab world. An ode to, and reflection of, her dual Lebanese and Senegalese heritage. In an exclusive interview she shares her artistic insight and knowledge with Yasemen Kaner-White.

Baloji Kasala Younes Rahmoun Madad

Baloji Kasala Imane Fares

What was the topic of the first artwork you fell in love with? I loved the video work The Story of Milk and Honey by artist Basma al-Sharif. It is the story of an unnamed author who tries to write a love story. Images, letters, and songs are linked through a voice-over and develop into a detailed search for the human perception of history.

What was the most recent artwork you purchased for yourself? I bought from my gallery a sculpture by Ali Cherri and four photographs by Sammy Baloji. I also recently purchased a drawing by Rirkrit Tiravanija.

When did you first make the decision to open an art gallery and why? I decided out of passion! I really wanted to open an art gallery that would look like me. This opportunity arose when a gallery facing my window in Paris was going to be free.

Your beautiful gallery is located within a very artsy district in Paris, what makes your gallery stand out? It is strong conceptually and based on sincere and long-term engagements with each artist I represent.

If your gallery wasn’t based in Paris, where would you like it to be? I don’t know. It is really important that the gallery is right in front of my place. If one day I will live somewhere else, I would definitely like to move the gallery where I will be.

What have you learnt from a personal perspective? It opened my mind and, through the artists I work with, it nourishes my vision/point of view on things.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to add to their art collection for investment purposes? To put their heart and eyes to work.

What are you most proud of with regards your gallery to date? That all the artists I work with are now in the collections of prestigious institutions.

What do you look for when deciding to represent an artist? It’s all about connecting with an artist and their practice and mutual trust. I decided to represent a small group of artists (if compared with other galleries) and construct a deep and long-term professional relationship based on daily support and common trust.

Installation views of Emeka Ogboh’s exhibition Quand il y en a un, ça va… at Imane Farès Gallery, 2022. Photos by Tadzio.

Sinzo Aanza Ali Cherri

Younes Rahmoun Madad

“I really wanted to open an art gallery that would look like me.”

IMANE FARES

Installation views of Emeka Ogboh’s exhibition Quand il y en a un, ça va… at Imane Farès Gallery, 2022. Photos by Tadzio.

You work with artists who use many mediums, do you find any medium more or less challenging than others? Works based on sound could be the most challenging. Because we need to create the best listening condition to appreciate the works.

What projects and events have you got coming up? Currently, we are presenting a solo exhibition by Emeka Ogboh at the gallery. The starting point of this exhibition is a long-term craft beer project called Sufferhead Original inspired by food tastes and the experiences of Africans living in Europe that he started in 2017 for a documentary. Through creating a new beer recipe and its associated brand image, the artist questions certain preconceived ideas and assumptions about immigration and integration policies that are generally associated with the destinies of expatriates in Europe. After, we will host a 2 weeks film festival called La Quinzaine de la Vidéo.

Lastly, what have you learnt the most in a business sense from owning and running a gallery? That you need to be passionate, patient and have financial support.

FOR MORE INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION VISIT:

Galerie Imane Farès 41, rue Mazarine 75006 Paris – France +33146331313 contact@imanefares.com