Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Elle. I am from Dubai, but am grateful to call Aotearoa home. I established Föenander Galleries in 2018, and I serve as head waitress to Paulette, my cat.
What inspired you to start your journey as a gallerist, and how has your vision for the gallery evolved over time?
In the absence of pursuing art forms as a practitioner, the most meaningful contribution I can make to the arts is by providing a platform for artists. My vision for the gallery remains broadly as it did when I began 7 years ago - a place which celebrates diversity, supporting and uplifting the practice of exemplar practitioners from across Aotearoa and abroad.
How do you choose which artists or exhibitions to feature in your gallery?
Generally, we look for artists whose practices are exceptional and authentic. Seeking consistency in ideas and outcomes.
On many occasions, the relationship is inspired by an unexpected encounter with an artwork which beyond the initial encounter, lingers and continues to provoke.
What’s one lesson the art world has taught you about resilience or creativity?
I like the idea that creativity is not a trait, but a state. My learned experience is that it is available to us all and we can tune into it in all that we do.
Is there a particular piece or artist you’ve worked with that deeply moved you or changed the way you see the world?
There are so many, If not all that have made some impact. My first ever experience of Lottie Consalvo’s work was one of those profound moments I mentioned earlier. Her work has a simplicity and directness but at the same time there is depth and complexity which holds and compels you.
My first encounter was 8 years ago at the Aotearoa Art Fair (an particularly stimulating environment) but her presentation stopped me in my tracks and remained with me. It is an honour to be working with her all these years later and I have enjoyed the poetry of since taking a presentation of her work to the Aotearoa Art fair. She has a solo coming up with the gallery in October this year – a must see!
What role do you think art plays in shaping culture and sparking important conversations?
Art often conveys ideas about the human experience, sometimes in ways that have not been experienced before.
It’s not just about what you know, but about its potential to shape your understanding of the world. This is equally true of great art. If we are discussing it, it has already fulfilled its purpose.
Engaging with art is stepping into the shared consciousness of humanity and exploring the issues that challenge some of our most dynamic thinkers. These universal yet contemporary preoccupations are the paradox of art.
We saw our featured artist, Andrea Bolima, was part of your residency programme. Can you tell us a bit about your Artist Residency? And why is this so important to you?
In 2022 the gallery established an artist in residence programme based south of Auckland in the countryside. It supported the living and making costs of several artists both local and international. I believe it is key to provide support for makers to sit with, and explore their practice. I don’t think there are enough supported opportunities to just ‘be’. We are currently working on our next Artist-in-Residence program which is taking excellent shape!
Andrea’s latest exhibition, ‘Dusk Till Lawn’, invites viewers into a dreamlike world that delicately balances abstraction and representation. What significance does this exhibition hold for you?
Dusk Till Lawn is a masterful series that continues Andrea’s exploration of the space between reality and imagination. In these works, she creates an environment where abstraction and representation seamlessly coexist, inviting viewers to engage with both the act of seeing and the experience of being. A testament to Andrea’s ability to transform the familiar into something ethereal.
Your home is filled with remarkable pieces of art—how do you curate your personal collection? What guides your decisions on which pieces belong in your space?
There are different approaches to collecting. Mine is idiosyncratic and inspired by connection. That connection takes many forms; sometimes, I’m drawn to a work because it challenges my point of view. Sometimes it is visceral. I may be lucky enough to have a personal affinity with the artist, which imbues the work with even more meaning. The throughline is I like pieces which evoke, and help people transcend themselves.
What trends or shifts are you noticing in contemporary art right now?
In the aftermath of war crimes, occupy movements, and global social movements like Me Too and Black Lives Matter, institutions and organisations are being encouraged to consider the diversity and ethics of their collections and exhibitions. As a form of restorative justice, many museums are repatriating looted artifacts, acknowledging their cultural and historical significance.
What drew you to the idea of collaborating with OHEN?
Andrea Bolima has been with the gallery for four years, early on she expressed a desire to collaborate with a fashion brand. Finding the right partner was a priority, and OHEN was the perfect choice.
OHEN are committed to celebrating women from all walks of life. Their approach goes beyond representation alone, but creates a space where diverse experiences, voices, and stories are uplifted. The inclusivity and empowerment aligns with my own values, and approach to the gallery. It’s inspiring to be part of something that recognises and amplifies the resilience of women everywhere.
How do you see the relationship between art and self-expression, especially in collaborations like this one?
In the most synergistic of partnerships, everyone shares the vision but brings diverse gifts. You hope there is enough clarity and vigour to inspire dedication, but ample ambiguity to leave room for flashes of inspiration along the way.
What do you think has had the most profound influence on shaping the woman you are today?
My mother and sister; extraordinary women.
If you didn’t have Föenander Galleries, what do you imagine yourself doing?
I suspect I would return to my former life of living on a boat, but this time one with a refrigerator.
What are you reading, watching or listening at the moment that you would recommend?
The Alchemist by Paula Coelho offers something illuminating each time.
The Conference of the Birds is a treasury of wisdom. ‘You are the ocean in just one drop’.
My husband is an incredible musician, so I am always basking in his prowess. Our house is a member of the Mark Knopfler appreciation society!
The Good Oil podcast is passion project by an local art patron which hosts longform conversations with Aotearoa painters . It is great introduction to the practice of some fascinating individuals – suitable for both beginners and the initiated.
OHEN is about giving women a little luxury every day, how do you take care of mind, body and soul?
I believe in treating the mind, body, and spirit as one interconnected whole, nurturing all aspects. Trying to stay present in the moment (and embracing it where possible) is key. Surfing has been a great teacher of this.
I am a big believer that life is brighter, and lighter, when we neither over nor underestimate our cosmic importance. This way of seeing helps me to revere the big things, and not fret over the little things. The real trick is knowing which is which. Beautiful lingerie is a big thing, in my books!