1. Bio
Founder and director of the Hannah Traore Gallery, in New York City, she graduated in Art History from Skidmore College. After working at MoMa under curator Isolde Brielmaier, she opened her own exhibition space in 2022, at the age of 27, becoming one of New York’s youngest gallery owners. Her goal is to support and celebrate artists who have been historically marginalised, providing her unique perspective on what it means to be a gallerist, both for artists with well-established careers, but unknown in the US, and for young emerging talents. In 2023, Forbes listed her in the Forbes 30 under 30 2023 in Art & Style and Apollo Magazine ranked her in its 40 under 40 USA list.
2. The power of a dream
Nothing is ever linear, but if you stay connected to your truest vocation, the road will present itself at some point. As a child, I dreamed of being a teacher and, in some way, what I do today is connected to that dream. Choosing to fully understand the artists I care for, to provide my resources, my experience, my independence to support their work, makes me a kind of guide, a sort of teacher. My love for children has survived. I have even incorporated that love into the gallery. We held an exhibition in collaboration with three schools in our neighbourhood and invited the children to a special opening event. But most importantly, the space I created to highlight the work of artists from historically underrepresented groups, including people of colour, women and queer artists. The power of a dream is like an inner force that propels you forward. Some say it comes from one’s family, and I was undoubtedly lucky in that sense. But it was an unexpected break in the routine that gave me the jolt: during the COVID-19 pandemic, after I had been dismissed, and just when it seemed I had nothing left to do, that force knocked on my door: I had so many dreams, so why was I suppressing all those ideas? So I acted accordingly, I opened this space, where I could recognise the value of an artist and decide ‘We’ll do this’ without having to ask anyone’s consent.
3. My journey into real beauty
It is a path that is somehow related to my nature, which has always been fascinated by decay: like an old abandoned building, there is something magical in nature that takes over from something contrived. Similarly, there is something magical in learning to allow our dreams, our plans to change, by incorporating new information and opportunities. This is how I got where I am today. I have learned to deeply appreciate what makes each person unique, which is why my gallery offers something that other gallery owners are not always able to offer: understanding. You cannot imagine what an extraordinary multiplier of potential that is. The incredible beauty that comes from trust, from accepting others for the many aspects they bring, without forcing them to relate to an idea that we have preconstructed. This is true for my artists, but I am convinced that it is also true for every human being.
4. What I learned and won’t let go
Self-confidence is undoubtedly the resource that has amazed me the most with its power. I have realised that self-confidence moves everything. To have confidence in oneself, to be self-assured without being boastful. To have confidence in your own intuitions and let yourself be excited about what is to come. To have confidence in the people we choose, they will surprise us with their contribution. But above all, to have confidence in new points of view and not to let ourselves be limited (especially as women) by stereotypical views that consider us capable of being only ‘one thing at a time’. We are versatile and we have the right to everything: aspirations, career, affections, fun, opinions and free time. Men are not asked to choose: this is my dream for women, to be and feel truly free to choose love, friends, partner, family, work, just one or all of these. Free, without judgement.
