Nicola Vassell is a pioneer in the rarified art world. A Jamaican-born womxn who occupies a position of deep influence in a space that is often white, rich and exclusive, she’s used her love of visual arts, writing, history, and fashion, to amplify the presence of Black artists in that world, helping them infiltrate it — and then, conquer it.
Vassell’s curatorial career began in big, well-known New York art galleries such as Deitch Projects and Pace, where she saw up-close the rising tide of young Black fine artists, working with many, including Kehinde Wiley and Nari Ward. When Vassell struck out on her own as a curator and facilitator, she launched Concept NV, whose first big group show, 2014’s “Black Eye,” helped announce the impending Black Art Renaissance. It gave her headway to assist Black collectors like Kaseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean, and to develop their collections and engagements with the art world. Together, Vassell and Dean have become an art-world powerhouse, working on projects such as Dean and wife Alicia Keys’ The Dean Collection, while also producing the global No Commission Art Fair, and shows like last winter’s Los Angeles smash, “Dreamweavers.” Yet, as she discusses with AFROPUNK her experience and her perspective, Nicola Vassell’s says her favorite part of the curation process is discovering new talent.