Embracing Femininity with Anahita Sadighi
On an autumn evening in late September, we gathered for an intimate evening at Kreuzberg's Nomi Winebar for a powerful discussion focused on pushing boundaries in the contemporary art community.
A visionary entrepreneur and passionate advocate of diversity, Anahita Sadighi has quickly become one of Berlin's most dynamic gallerists. Recognised by Tagesspiegel as one of Berlin's top 100 cultural voices, Anahita launched her first gallery at the age of 26, and has since redefined the traditional roles of gallerist, dealer and collector by bringing cultures together and championing women in the international creative landscape.
Promoting intercultural dialogue and challenging stereotypes, in 2023 she undertook the ambitious task of merging her two galleries, culminating in a rebrand and the grand reopening of her new gallery space in November.
“I believe the traditional role of the galleries can be reimagined to strengthen cultural education and social cohesion.”
To mark this occasion, and to merge the gallery experience with a celebration of the exhibitions, she launched a series of 'party events' linked to exhibition openings in a secret location called The Loft, an after-party space designed to showcase artworks in a more intimate and dynamic atmosphere.
“At The Loft we believe in the transformative power of music and creativity.”
Anahita started by reflecting on her Iranian heritage and how art was a constant presence in her early childhood, deeply shaping her curatorial vision. Growing up in an art-loving family, with a father who was both an artist and one of the leading collectors of non-Western art, she was encouraged to engage with artifacts and shared how she was able to immerse herself in the artistic world from a young age.
But art is not Anahita's only passion - music has always been a central part of her creative oeuvre. Beginning with classical piano as a child, she later delved into various genres beyond classical and jazz, embracing the communal and social power of music and art. This fusion of art, culture and music is evident in both her gallery and The Loft, where her vision creates a dynamic play between these worlds, fostering connections and vibrant communities.
“I am heavily influenced by my diverse social environment, by my friends and the people I love and work with.”
As the evening began to draw to a close, Anahita concluded the inspiring interview by addressing the issue of underrepresentation of women in the contemporary art world, emphasizing the urgent need to elevate women within Berlin's cultural scene and called upon us all to take the first step to lead initiative with this powerful takeaway:
“Now is the time to take initiative, inspire others, and don’t wait for change to happen on its own.”
Thank you to Nomi Weinbar for sharing your special space with us (and of course the delicious natural wines!) and to every WAA Podcast audience member who came, we couldn’t do it without you!
