VOLTA Voices is a recurring interview series with vanguards of the contemporary art world, whose insights into their experiences, concerns, and practices exemplify the very best of creative culture today. More than simply experts, these friends of VOLTA are supporters, colleagues, friends, family.

This time, Kamiar Maleki talks to Tali Zeloof, a creative consultant, art educator and podcaster based in London. Read the interview as they speak about ripple effects of meaningful connections, her relationships in the art world and of course her new podcast “Matters of the Art”.

Kamiar Maleki: Tali, we first met a few years ago and I had the pleasure of being a guest on your podcast “Matters of the Art”. Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in the art world.

Tali Zeloof: I have always had a love of art. At university I studied Art Theory at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney, and then went on to work in various pockets in the industry, including a commercial gallery, advisory, journalism and the Biennale of Sydney. At the Biennale I was part of the Public Programming team where I first understood the importance of education as a vehicle for meaningfully engaging with art and making it readable and relatable for the public. In 2015 I moved to London to do a Masters in Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute, and after completing the course, I was hired to run Quintessentially’s Art Patron Programme. The role involved curating a seasonal itinerary of VIP art experiences and backstage events with privileged access to major exhibitions, art fairs, auction houses, collectors’ homes, and artists’ studios. I now work as a creative consultant for various organizations, and I’m also the host of “Matters of the Art” a podcast about the emotive power of creativity.

Kamiar Maleki: There are quite a few art podcasts out there, not to forget the social audio app Clubhouse, that had its heydays in 2020. What makes “Matters of the Art” special? And what influenced you to start a podcast in such a saturated podcast market?

Tali Zeloof: “Matters of the Art” is a passion project, which gives the wider public access to deeply reflective, candid conversations with today’s leading creatives. I hope to offer listeners a panoramic picture of the art world and the people who make up its ecosystem. At the heart of each conversation is a desire to excavate the human condition and explore the inextricable connection between art and life. While running my Patron Programme for 5 years, I always felt most inspired when hosting in-conversations with artists, designers, and collectors. Members of the group would always comment on the quality and sincerity of each conversation. And so, during my maternity leave I had the ‘Aha! Moment’ of making these dialogues available to the wider public via a podcast.

Kamiar Maleki: How do you think a non-visual media changes the way we experience art?

Tali Zeloof: When I was working for the Biennale of Sydney, I had a unique opportunity of learning how to deliver audio described tours for visually impaired visitors. This meant using highly descriptive language so that these visitors could imagine the art works on display even if they couldn’t see them. Although some installations were immersive which helped bring textures and scale to life, in most cases visitors relied on the power of my language to create art in the mind. In terms of podcasts being a non-visual media – of course sensory experience can’t be replaced with words, however our imagination is boundless and human emotion is universal. Therefore, my experience at the Biennale, prepared me to discuss art in a way that ignites imagination and elicits emotion.

Kamiar Maleki: Do you listen to art podcasts yourself and how do you listen to them?

Studio visit with light artist Chris Levine.

Tali Zeloof: Yes! I am podcast obsessed – I mostly listen to them while commuting or cooking. I love art and design podcasts (‘Design Matters’ with Debbie Millman is a personal favourite) but I also listen to a variety of podcasts that study human experience and emotion. Some of my top picks include ‘Unlocking Us’ with Brené Brown, ‘How to Fail’ with Elizabeth Day and I also adore Desert Island Discs (the archives are full of hidden gems!) The truth is, I love the act of listening. As a child, I had a hearing impairment and was lip reading for a period. Thankfully, this was repaired with surgery, but I believe this experience heightened my desire to listen and appreciate the emotional and psychological impact of honest conversations.

Kamiar Maleki: Back to your own podcast, tell us a bit about the episodes that already aired and where one can listen to them?

Tali Zeloof: I have interviewed some brilliant guests already. Episode 1 featured internationally acclaimed light artist Chris Levine who recently had a major exhibition at Houghton Hall, following in the footsteps of artists such as James Turrell, Damien Hirst, Anish Kapoor and Tony Cragg. We had an illuminating conversation about life, art, and the power of light to act as a conduit for expanded perception and spiritual revelation. In the following episodes, I interviewed painter Sara Berman, photographer Cyrus Mahboubian and Founder of AucArt Natasha Arselan. All the conversations so far have been both mind and heart expanding, and they are available to listen to via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Kamiar Maleki: And what are your plans for the future in general? What can your podcast listeners expect in future episodes?

Tali Zeloof: I plan to continue working as a freelance creative consultant, curating culturally enriching international programs that connect organizations and institutions with the very best the art world has to offer. As for the podcast, the feedback so far has been incredibly motivating, and I have lined up some amazing guests for season two. I won’t reveal too much before the episodes air, however listeners should expect more insightful interviews with today’s most inspiring and influential creatives voices.

Kamiar Maleki: The art world is all about relationships. What is important for you when you bring people together for art events?

Tali Zeloof: At my art events, I hope to create a warm, engaging, and inclusive environment for guests to meaningfully engage with art and with each other. For me, it is important to make art palatable and accessible, to take complex ideas and make them digestible for everyone regardless of their art knowledge or background. I recently hosted a private collection visit with the co-founder of Superblue, Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst. There was this magical moment where Mollie and I asked the group to share a ‘goose bump art moment’. Several guests raised their hands to share experiences of when they have felt truly moved and transported by art. Typically the formality of art events creates an environment far too intimidating for audience participation. I really try to infuse a sense of humanity at my events that generate an open dialogue, and authentic connections rather than just superficial networking. The feedback from that event was that guests felt they were in a room full of friends rather than strangers. Success!

Kamiar Maleki: Do you collect art yourself, and where do you find most of the art you buy?

Tali Zeloof (left) during a studio visit with Rob and Nick Carter.

Tali Zeloof: I have a wonderful birthday tradition where I buy an artwork each year by a recent graduate or emerging artist to help support their journey from an early stage. In 2021, I bought a brilliant painting by Michael Dohr, a graduate of Chelsea College of Arts, and the recipient of the prestigious Frank Bowling Scholarship. I first saw his work at the Saatchi Grad Show and contacted him via Instagram to arrange a studio visit. At the studio, I fell in love with one of his paintings entitled ‘Process’. When chatting to Michael about the composition, he confessed that he felt that he had messed it up a few times. And yet, he persevered until he created a fully resolved composition, which dances fluidly between figuration and abstraction, a canvas that visualises both our infinite cosmos and lived reality. The idea that we need ‘to break, to build’ really resonates with me, and knowing the painting has previous lives beneath the final layer of paint - mistakes and missteps - reflects our enduring search for meaning and desire to achieve a more evolved sense of self.

Kamiar Maleki: Being based in London, what role does art and art fairs play in the museum and art landscape in the U.K. and especially London?

Tali Zeloof: Art fairs play a very significant role in the cultural landscape here in London. This city is a mecca of creative culture and exchange, and fairs are a fertile ground of discovery. Fairs such as Frieze, Photo London and Masterpiece etc. also offer a brilliant opportunity for education and enhancing one’s visual literacy.

Kamiar Maleki: Have you been to any art fairs in the past year? And what role do you feel satellite fairs like VOLTA could play in the future art fair landscape?

Tali Zeloof: Yes, I went to a few art fairs in London in the past year including Frieze and Photo London. Covid (and a toddler) kept me away from other international fairs such as Art Basel, FIAC, and of course VOLTA. I feel satellite fairs such as VOLTA are essential to the art fair ecosystem as visitors can discover artistic talent who have the potential to be major artists, however, might not have the opportunity to show in the main fairs.

Kamiar – you are also a major rule breaker, risk taker and pioneering creative force. I’m sure under your leadership, satellite fairs like VOLTA will continue to evolve and push the boundaries of art and technology. I’m excited to see what ambitious collaborations and projects you have in the pipeline. Watch this space!

Follow Tali Zeloof on Instagram at @tzeloof and connect with Kamiar Maleki at @kammaleki.

Listen to the “Matters of the Art” Podcast via Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

VOLTA VOICES: TALI ZELOOF

MEET THE GALLERY | Susan Eley Fine Art | New York / Hudson

VOLTA VOICES | MAJA WISMER