The art world has long been perceived as an intimidating space filled with insider jargon and hidden codes that leave many visitors feeling inadequate or fearful of saying the wrong thing. However, a new generation of young gallery owners is actively working to break down these barriers and make art conversations more inclusive and accessible to everyone.
Five emerging gallerists from around the world shared their insights on how anyone can feel confident when discussing art, emphasizing that curiosity and genuine questions matter far more than memorizing art theory or dropping famous names. Their collective message is clear: pretending to know about art is actually the fastest way to sound like you don't.
Helen Neven, founder of NEVEN gallery in London's Bethnal Green neighborhood, brings fresh perspective to the city's art scene. After studying at the Royal College of Art and the Courtauld Institute of Art, and working at the Blenheim Art Foundation, she launched her gallery in 2023 with a solo exhibition by British artist Woodsy Bransfield. Neven emphasizes that museums are public spaces that should feel inclusive, without any expectation to perform engagement in a specific way.
"A simple 'can you tell me more about this work?' will do," Neven explains. "I like it when visitors draw comparisons or relate a work to something they've read, seen, or personally experienced. It shows that they have grasped something essential in the piece and metabolized it in some way." She notes that the best conversations often go on winding tangents catalyzed by artworks, coming from people speaking about how the art makes them feel or what it reminds them of.
Queenie Rosita Law, founder of Double Q Gallery in Hong Kong, understands the overwhelming feeling of entering galleries for the first time. After founding the Q Art Group in 2014, which includes Q Contemporary in Budapest and Q Studio, she launched Double Q Gallery in 2022, representing Eastern European artists including Hungarian painter József Csató and Ukrainian sculptor Maria Kulikovska. Law recalls her first gallery visit while studying at the University of the Arts in London as overwhelming, attributing this to the white, empty, and silent nature of many gallery spaces.
Her advice is straightforward: "Unfortunately, you will have to go more! Make visiting galleries a part of your routine whenever you go to a new city or when something new opens in your own hometown." Law suggests preparing by previewing exhibitions online or checking artists' Instagram pages, focusing on understanding what you'll see rather than memorizing biographical facts. When discussing art, she recommends talking about artists' techniques and pointing directly at elements in the work rather than diving deep into art history.
Jonathan Carver Moore founded his eponymous gallery in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood in 2023, specializing in BIPOC, LGBTQ, and women artists. Despite being a regular at art fairs like EXPO Chicago, Untitled Miami, and 1-54 New York, Moore acknowledges feeling out of place in the art world himself. His gallery hosts an artist-in-residence program supporting artists like Aplerh-Doku Borlabi and Anoushka Mirchandani, with New Orleans-based artist Auudi Dorsey scheduled for fall.
"I see that as part of the reality of working within a system that wasn't originally designed for everyone," Moore explains about feeling out of place. He encourages visitors to "come open, come curious, and let the work speak to them." Moore loves when someone simply says "Tell me about this artist" or asks questions from genuine curiosity like "What drew you to this artist?" or "What inspired this exhibition?"
Storm Ascher launched her nomadic gallery Superposition in 2018 at age 24, staging shows in borrowed spaces from New York to Miami. A Forbes 30 Under 30: Art & Style alum in 2022, Ascher also founded the Hamptons Black Arts Council, supporting public programming for Black artists. She will make her Armory Show debut next month with artists Ryan Cosbert and Marcus Leslie Singleton.
Ascher's primary advice is direct: "Do not be afraid of not knowing something. We [gallerists] actually get excited to explain things to people who have never heard of them—that's part of the joy." She warns against pretending to already know, as it might cut off deeper conversations. Instead, she suggests starting with anything that strikes you about an artist's work and asking simple questions that show engagement rather than performance.
Cedric Bardawil, who established his gallery in London's Soho in June 2022, brings a unique background as curator, journalist, and DJ. His experimental gallery often pairs exhibitions with audio installations, featuring shows like psychedelic paintings by Eddie Ruscha and photographs by Lebanon-born artist Raed Yassin. Despite his industry experience, Bardawil admits to still feeling out of place in certain art spaces.
"Certain art spaces can also be overwhelming for people in the industry; it's important to remind yourself why you chose to be there and what in particular you came to see," Bardawil notes. He suggests that in social settings like art fairs or openings, speaking with people and breaking the ice helps, and importantly, icebreakers don't have to be about art.
When discussing art, Bardawil advocates for a straightforward approach, suggesting simply asking "What am I looking at here?" He observes a common misconception that speaking about art must be complicated, when often the opposite is true. He references American art critic Dave Hickey as an example of someone who brilliantly uses everyday language and accessible references to explain complex ideas.
The collective wisdom from these five gallerists challenges the art world's intimidating reputation and offers practical guidance for anyone interested in engaging with art. Their emphasis on curiosity over performance, questions over pretense, and personal connection over theoretical knowledge represents a refreshing shift toward making art more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or experience level.
