Lidija Khachatourian, founder of AKKA Project, discusses her gallery's evolution from Dubai to Venice, where it remains the only gallery dedicated to African and diasporic artists. In an interview with ART AFRICA, she explains her shift from a market-driven model toward a research-led, custodial approach that prioritizes long-term relationships and slowness over high-volume programming. The gallery, established in Venice in 2019, operates with a deliberate resistance to market pressures, focusing on care, continuity, and direct material support for its artists.
This article matters because it highlights a significant recalibration in the African art ecosystem, as artistic energy consolidates on the continent and diasporic artists return. AKKA Project's model offers an alternative to the fast-paced art market, emphasizing deeper engagement and research-led collaborations. The interview underscores the challenges and opportunities for galleries supporting underrepresented artists in a major art capital like Venice, and reflects broader conversations about sustainability, representation, and the role of galleries beyond commercial transactions.