dialogue | Selma Feriani | Gallerist
September 2025
6 min read
From London to Sidi Bou Said, Selma Feriani has shaped galleries that act as platforms for dialogue and experimentation. Rooted in her Tunisian heritage and guided by a global outlook, her programme champions underrepresented voices and builds bridges between local and international art scenes. On global stages like Art Basel, Frieze, and Art Dubai, the gallery highlights artists whose work is both conceptually rigorous and socially engaged. Each presentation reflects a commitment to cultural relevance, long-term support, and positioning MENA artists at the forefront of contemporary conversations. With her new residency in Tunisia, Feriani deepens this exchange by inviting international artists to engage directly with local communities and histories. The result is a space where new narratives emerge, layered, complex, and vital, reshaping how the region is seen and understood.
You studied and worked in finance before opening your first gallery in London in 2009. What prompted that shift into the art world, and what was the most challenging part of making the transition?
“The transition from finance to the art world was driven by a deep personal passion for contemporary art and a desire to contribute meaningfully to cultural dialogue. While working in finance provided me with a strong foundation in business and strategic thinking, I felt a growing need to engage with something more creative and intellectually enriching. I also come from a family in art and collecting, my mother is a gallerist focused on modernism from North Africa and has a collection on MENA's artists.”
What prompted the shift?
”My move into the art world wasn't sudden but rather the result of a long-standing interest in the arts. My exposure to international art scenes and my Tunisian heritage sparked a strong desire to bridge cultural narratives between the Global South and established Western art markets. I have imagined my gallery as a space to create a platform for underrepresented voices and to showcase emerging and mid-career artists with critical, socially-engaged practices.”
Most challenging part of the transition?
”One of the most difficult aspects of the shift was entering an industry that relies heavily on networks, trust, and long-term relationships. Building credibility, developing meaningful relationships with artists and collectors, and navigating the subtleties of the market required patience, resilience, and a willingness to learn on the ground.”