Female Voices in Art: Stephanie Manasseh, Entrepreneur in the Arts and Cultural Consultant

Stephanie Manasseh (b. 1974 Montreal, Canada) graduated from McGill University in Montreal and went on to study at Sotheby's Institute and Goldsmiths. She is a quadrilingual entrepreneur in the arts and a consultant in the arts. Stephanie founded the Accessible Art Fair (ACAF), which offers unaffiliated artists an opportunity to network and exhibit their work in prestigious environments and works with a jury comprising of leaders in the art world to help select the highest calibre of artists. In the corporate sector, she was responsible for developing and implementing the Art & Design Sessions for BMW in Belgium and has featured several prominent artists. Her expertise in the art world has brought her ongoing professional partnerships with international brands such as American Express and The New York Times. Launching SM Art Advisory over 10 years ago, Stephanie offers her expertise to clients looking for art to suit their commercial or private properties. www.smartadvisory.art

Could you tell us something about your role in the art world?

When I initially started working in the art world, I felt like an outsider. It was unheard of 20 years ago that artists would self-represent at an art fair. A few years in, I was considered a 'disruptor' which suited me just fine. Currently, with the art fair a mature business I see myself as a facilitator - bringing artists and art lovers together.

What did you enjoy about being a part of this project?

I absolutely loved my time with Carla. We had a good chat over tea, covering so many topics. Carla has a great eye and easily shifted my look into one of glamour worthy of the project. I felt like I was transported in time, almost sitting for a portrait by Rembrandt.

Do you have a favourite artist?

There are so many to name but in the last year I have been working with American sculptor Jonathan Prince to bring his work to Christie's Sculpture Garden and through him, I became more and more aware of how beautiful sculpture can be. Richard Serra is always one that blows my mind in size and volume and beauty in its simplicity and complexity. I can spend hours at Dia Beacon.

What is your earliest memory involving art?

My mother is an artist and I remember as a child sitting on the carpeted floor in our basement watching tv with one eye and watching my mother at her easel with the other. She was and is a passionate painter, passionate about colour and texture and passionate about women and children's rights and passionate about our planet.

Do you have any special thoughts about the position of women in the art world?

Through a project like this one can't help but be reminded that there are so many incredible women out there doing incredible things. I think this project goes beyond the photo to tell the viewer to look at the woman standing in front of you and find out who she is because chances are there is a fascinating story to tell. I think given the opportunity most women would support other women and this also pertains to the art world. I would like to see that more in the support of women artists and the support of women on boards.

What are you wearing, and is there a story behind it?

I chose to wear a black dress as a simple canvas and accessorise around it. The necklace I picked out last year when I was travelling. Carla worked her magic by wrapping me in some lace which just added so much depth to the photo.

What impact has the current health crisis on your daily practice?

As soon as the pandemic hit I understood that we will have a lot of time on our hands so I started two initiatives: Talking Art and At Home with Art. Talking Art was an opportunity for anyone to reach out and talk to me about anything related to art. I posted this on Linked in and Instagram and had a wonderful response. I met people from all corners of the globe and made some wonderful connects. At Home with Art is a Facebook group I started to connect people through their art at home. We have almost 600 members and it’s a nice way for people to connect over art. Life has changed, we travel less, but our yearning to connect with others is there. I have made some wonderful connections which I am sure will stick for a very long time, and for that I am grateful.

Is it changing your views on Art?

Not being around art in the way that I am used to – though galleries, studio visits and museums, has made me realise just how much I love it and miss it. I love all the various ways people have been connecting through art which we would never have a chance to see- for example Studio Drift, Joep Beving performance in Rotterdam was just breathtaking and I watched that on my phone.

Are you creating new initiatives and ways of working?

I have been working on several wonderful projects during lockdown, some in Europe and others in the US. You realise that there is so much openness around, what we were lacking was just the time to sit down to make them happen and I feel like once we back we might see a Renaissance arise and it is very exciting.