dialogue
Flavia Nespatti | Patron/Independent Curator
April 2025
7 min read
Flavia Nespatti, co-founder of anteroom, is dedicated to creating dynamic spaces within the art world. Through anteroom, Flavia aims to challenge traditional boundaries, fostering dialogue and engagement through curated exhibitions and collaborative projects. Her commitment extends to supporting cultural exchange and promoting emerging talents, both locally and internationally.
In addition to driving anteroom forward, Flavia serves as Chair of the Latin America Patrons Group at Delfina Foundation, where they play a pivotal role in expanding opportunities for artists from Latin America to showcase their work and connect with diverse audiences in the UK. Flavia is also involved with other non-profits, including her support for organisations like Gasworks, Modern Art Oxford, and Nottingham Contemporary, where she actively contributes to enriching contemporary art discourse and community engagement.
Flavia Nespatti's participation in the art community is marked by her strategic leadership, advocacy for emerging artists, and her dedication to fostering inclusive art spaces. Her multifaceted contributions promise to shape the evolving landscape of cultural expression and artistic innovation, inspiring both artists and audiences alike.
Photo of Flavia Nespatti. Image by Sarah Larby.
Hey Flavia. We, of course, know all about your exciting initiative, anteroom, but for those who may not have come across it before, how would you describe the work anteroom does?
“anteroom was originally founded by myself and two partners, artist Barbara Hoogeweegen and collector Julia Heath, identifying the need for an exhibition platform for artists within a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Our goal is to create a space that brings together the new, the curious and the established collector, as well as art professionals including galleries and curators. Now in its second year, it continues to create both physical and conceptual spaces that invite dialogue, reflection, and engagement with contemporary artists based in the UK.
We challenge traditional viewing experiences and encourage meaningful and fun exchanges with our local community through exhibitions, collaborations, and hopefully soon, public programming at the community level.”
Image and logo by Marcelle Lawson-Smith.
Congratulations on becoming Chair of the Latin America Patrons Group at Delfina Foundation.
During your time in this role, what would you like to accomplish?
“Delfina Foundation has long played a crucial role in supporting creative practitioners from all over the world, offering them a unique platform to develop their practice and connect with the global art community.
The network of Latin America and the Caribbean Patrons was established in 2020, and since then has hosted artists from all over the region, including Rivane Neunschwander, Gala Porras-Kim and Adrián Balseca. My hope is to expand the group’s presence within Delfina and by doing so strengthen the presence of Latin American artists in the UK. This means not only supporting their residencies but also creating meaningful opportunities for their work to be seen, discussed, exhibited and collected.”
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Image of visitors at Deflina Foundation. Image by Tim Bowditch.
You’re an art lover and collector, Flavia, could you tell us about an artist you’ve followed over the years who still brings you joy to see creating today?
“That’s a tough call! I’ve followed Radhika Khimji’s work for many years now, and I’ve witnessed her practice evolve beautifully . I love how she works with drawings, painting, sculpture and photographic collages, creating these intricate, layered compositions that feel both fragile and resilient, images oscillating between landscape and body. Her exploration of materials, whether textiles, paper, wood, thread or paint, is deeply considered and, as she shays, ‘pushes the works beyond the limit of their own materiality’. I have a lot of time for her! Plus she’s adorable.
Special mentions go to London-based Venezuelan multimedia artist Lucia Pizzani and Hector Campbell, co-founder and director of SOUP Gallery, a new space with a bold programme of exciting emerging and early career artists.”
Image by Marcelle Lawson-Smith at Richard Parr’s studio.
We live in an era of luxury, endless openings, fairs, and constant streams of content on social media, art seems to be everywhere. How do you personally prefer to discover new artists today?
“Although social media, mostly Instagram, and fairs are important tools, my favourite way to discover artists is through direct encounters, going to young galleries, arranging artist studio visits as well as attending degree shows.”
Artwork by Radhika Khimji.
Aside from the incredible and world-renowned Delfina Foundation, where you play an important role, which other non-profits/charities are you passionate about and would recommend people visit in the coming months?
“There are so many great organisations in the UK doing important work. Like Delfina, I admire and have supported the Gasworks residency programme, which continues to be a vital platform for emerging artists. The Line, East London’s public art trail, founded by the amazing Megan Piper, deserves much attention for the long lasting impact they’ve had within the local community, especially through their Youth programme.
We also support Modern Art Oxford for its visionary programme, and most recently, we’ve been involved with Nottingham Contemporary under the inspiring new direction of Salma Tuqan. I’m particularly impressed by her bold and ambitious vision mixed with her collaborative spirit and commitment to the local community. They are currently showing Brazilian artist Allan Weber and Daniel Lind-Ramos from Puerto Rico. It’s totally worth a visit!”
Photo of Flavia Nespatti. Image by Marcelle Lawson-Smith.
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