Opening a Space for Contemporary Female Perspectives
As part of its commitment to fostering contemporary cultural exchange, Artforum Hellas (Artforum Culture Foundation A.M.K.E.) and Global Galleries presented the pilot project NEW Feminism during the 9th Art Thessaloniki International Contemporary Fair 2026.
The project was realised and professionally coordinated in close cooperation with Global Galleries, whose team was responsible for the exhibition implementation and presentation at the fair. Additional support was provided by Artforum Culture Foundation and Winter Stiftung Hamburg.
From the beginning, NEW Feminism was not conceived as an ideological statement or a closed curatorial concept. Instead, it was designed as an open cultural platform inviting dialogue about the role of female artistic perspectives in contemporary society and the international art world.
The project brought together works by Jana Dettmer, LEONI (A. Jäkel) and Corinna Zieleke, whose artistic approaches explored questions of identity, perception, memory and social experience through highly individual visual languages.
Beyond Old Polarizations
One of the central intentions of NEW Feminism was to move beyond traditional ideological confrontations and ask a different question:
Can contemporary feminism be understood as a shared cultural reality based on equality, dignity, participation and mutual respect?
Many visitors welcomed this approach. Conversations at the exhibition stand repeatedly focused on the possibility of creating spaces where different perspectives can coexist without reducing artistic practice to political categories.
Strong Interest from Collectors and Curators
Throughout the fair, the project generated continuous discussions among collectors, curators, museum professionals and cultural decision-makers.
Particularly encouraging was the response from international visitors from Greece, Germany, North Macedonia, Italy and France. Several collectors expressed appreciation for the project’s balanced and non-confrontational approach, which allowed the artworks themselves to remain at the centre of attention.
(c) Artforum-Hellas-.-impression-New-Feminism-pilot-project-Art Thessaloniki 2026
Curators and museum representatives highlighted the relevance of the project’s core questions:
- How can female artistic perspectives be represented without being reduced to political labels?
- What role should cultural institutions play in promoting participation and equality?
- Can contemporary art contribute to a more nuanced understanding of social transformation?
Many participants agreed that these questions remain highly relevant and deserve continued exploration.
Publications as Catalysts for Dialogue
The bilingual English-Greek publication accompanying the project became an unexpected success.
Around 500 copies were distributed during the fair to visitors, artists, collectors, curators and institutional representatives.
The strong demand demonstrated that interest extended beyond the artworks themselves and included the broader cultural ideas and discussions that inspired the project.
At the same time, the fair provided an opportunity to present newly published monographs by Jana Dettmer and LEONI, as well as a catalogue by Corinna Zieleke.
A Platform Rather Than a Conclusion
For Artforum Hellas, the success of NEW Feminism cannot be measured simply by visitor numbers or media visibility.
The project’s greatest achievement may have been its ability to initiate meaningful conversations and encourage diverse perspectives.
Rather than providing definitive answers, NEW Feminism seeks to remain an evolving platform for cultural exchange, artistic collaboration and critical reflection
The discussion has only just begun…
LS/-