A Collaboration on the Horizon: Italian Art Consultant Elisabetta Roncati Widening the Reach of the European Art Ecosystem

Not only an art consultant, Elisabetta Roncati is also the founder of ‘Art Nomade Milan,’ a widely popular social media account that provides insights into local Italian art events and artistic and cultural expressions of Fiber, African and Islamic Art.  Most recently, she has taken a specific interest in our female contemporary Peruvian artists. What possibilities does she see for them in Europe?

Elisabetta Roncati - Art Consultant and Founder of ‘Art Nomade Milan’

“Mexico, Brazil, Colombia … and Peru?!” she wrote in an article that explores the situated contemporary Peruvian art landscape through the narrated voice of our BLOC Art founder Brenda Lucia Ortiz Clarke. 

Like most collaborations in 2020, Roncati discovered us through Instagram. She herself curates a public profile (@artnomademilan) that engages its following through its pleasing, often floral, aesthetic and encouragements to relate events, places or art pieces to personal reflections. A few clicks further onto her blog and we are met with an extensive archive of articles that amplify the nooks of African and Islamic art, expand the niche and open it up to private and public art institutions across Europe. 

Another invisible yet palpable gap that could not have gone by unnoticed by the enterprising spirit of Art Nomade Milan is Peruvian art. Journeying to Milan to Lima, it becomes clear: little is understood about contemporary Peru and little shared. In conversation with Elisabetta Roncanti, I thus respond: “Yes…Peru” as we dive into her busy yet widely passionate world and the exploration of Peruvian possibilities in Europe.

Answers have been condensed and edited for clarity.

Elisabetta, you have created a successful brand through which you provide insights into African and Islamic art. The name ‘Art Nomade Milan’ communicates quite clearly that you base yourself in the cultural hub of Milan, but that your ongoing curiosities seek to explore cultures outside of your geographical location. How did that interest emerge and what do you hope to achieve in the art world?

‘Art Nomade Milan’ was born in 2018. I was working in an art gallery and was the only one without a bachelor degree in Art History. I thought: “how can I fill the gap and explain cultural and artistic expression in an easy-to-understand way to the general public?” My passion for African and Islamic art started soon after. I was born in Genoa, an Italian city with an important commercial harbour. I’ve always been curious so when I was in charge of food shipments to the UAE for a big Italian retail company after my master, the Mediterranean migrations from Africa to Europe really struck my attention. I then decided to study these phenomenas deeply, thinking about their different cultures and the ways in which they express their inner selves. That is how Art Nomade Milan was born. For the near future I hope to consolidate my position as an art consultant specialised in Extra-European cultures, in Italy and abroad.

You further explore textile art with an undeniable passion. What fascinates you about that mode of artistic expression?

Textile art is one of the main ways of Islamic art expression. Beautiful carpets and tapestries. These were the starting points. After studying the ancient traditions, I devoted myself to contemporary techniques and artists. I'm always surprised when people consider these artworks decorative only. I want to explain to an audience as wide as possible that fiber creations are as important as paintings or sculptures. Think about the amazing Versailles tapestries or Thomas De Falco works of art. Another characteristic that fascinated me is that fiber artists are usually women. I want to explore the female universe and how we can express our inner feelings in a powerful way using simple materials such as threads.

Why are you particularly interested in our female artists?

I love studying the female artistic universe in general. I think that the global art sector is male dominated. We need more channels of expressions. Typically, we also earn lower salaries and when we become mothers things get more difficult and challenging. However, some world nations are doing important equal opportunity projects, some others still need to improve their methods.

Art Nomade Milan and a niche specialisation in Fiber, African and Islamic Art

You are very active on social media, speaking to the global art lover in a refreshingly young and accessible tone of voice. Do you see it as a tool not only to democratise the art world, but to also enable networking opportunities within the art world that can promote a more democratic co-creation of culture?

Of course! That’s why I do not like when people define me as an “art influencer”. I prefer the term “KOL” – Key Opinion Leader. I think that social media is one method that the younger generations can use to change the art system and its old mentalities. It is simply an instrument to reach the ultimate goals. It has the power to connect people as never before, but needs to be used in the right ways. My dream is to see art and cultural as famous on social media as fashion and make up.

You come from a very rich academic background that combines economics, management, logistics, heritage studies and communication. Today you consult art fairs, auction houses, art advisory companies, galleries, individual artists and private/public museums. You also share the contemporary art world with a wide social media following. What does a typical working week look like for you?

I have always lots of things to do: emails to answer, phone calls, WhatsApp messages - always with my mobile phone at my side. The secret is to have a good planning method: an annual paper desk calendar and an agenda. Sometimes I also take notes on my smartphone, especially when I travel and ideas come to my mind. A particular place or a detail that hits my attention and...boom: here it is a new idea for an art project. I travel often in Italy and abroad, sometimes more than once a week. A light suitcase, my smartphone and my Nikon camera are my best friends. Having public social media profiles means that you work almost 16 hours per day. However, when you do what you really like, you never feel tired of it.

I do not like when people define me as an “art influencer”. I prefer the term “KOL” – Key Opinion Leader. I think that social media is one method that the younger generations can use to change the art system and its old mentalities.

You recently got in touch with us with a distinct curiosity to explore our local art portfolio that features 40 Latin American artists, of which 30 are from Peru. Where does your interest for the contemporary Peruvian art world come from?

Many years ago I researched the Chachapoyas ancient textiles thanks to a friend of mine who was approaching the Peruvian culture. That’s how my interest for your nation was born. Days after days spent looking at the historical traditions, I became curious about modern artistic expressions. Soon after, I met Brenda by chance on Instagram. European collectors are really interested in Extra-European art. I think Peruvian contemporary art can become as famous as the Brazilian or Mexican.

How would you describe the current representation of Latin American and perhaps, more specifically, Peruvian art in the Italian art system? Are there any changes that you would like to see?

Unfortunately I think that the Peruvian contemporary art scene is not well known in Italy and maybe in Europe. When you speak about Peru people start dreaming about ancient times and archeological sites. It would take a great effort to change the mentality: more Peruvian contemporary art exhibitions in European cities and more advertisements. Other artistic and cultural expressions are more globally known, such as those from Brazil or Venezuela. Therefore I hope to see many contemporary Peruvian artists' exhibitions in Europe, maybe thanks to BLOC Art.

Based on our portfolio, what are your first impressions of the contemporary artistic expressions in Peru? And regarding our textile art?

When I started exploring the BLOC Art portfolio I was very happy: you have great artists and expressions. There is a developing balance between traditions and new methods that look into the future, especially in the contemporary textiles field. You really have the characteristics to impress European collectors in the right ways.

How did the global pandemic affect the Italian art system and your work? How is the situation now? And do you see future developments in the art world being more digitally oriented?

In March the situation was terrible. All the art fairs were cancelled and art galleries were closed. A nightmare. I have however always had a strong online presence: many museums and private institutions asked me to develop online formats for art and culture. Thus I worked a lot, even if the payment conditions were worse than before. July and August were free of appointments - as per usual in the summer period. Now we start working again and while the COVID-19 cases are almost under control (in Italy), art galleries are slowly reopening. We need to cross our fingers for the next months when winter will start. I don’t think that cultural operators have really understood how important digital ways of expression are. Of course they cannot substitute physical experience and networking, but they can reinforce them. In my opinion many people are just waiting until things will return to how they were before the pandemic - without improving their digital instruments.

And finally, would you like to tell us about any upcoming projects or future plans?

A new Art Nomade Milan advertising campaign is about to start, but...it will be a surprise!