How did you establish yourself as first a curator, then a private art consultant? And then as I traveled, the work ofīecame a fundamental anchor point for my purpose. Once I got into art, I would say that the work of Was there one piece of art that perhaps ignited your passion or at least made you think this is something I want to dedicate my life to? So I’ve been active for quite a while, and you know, it keeps renewing and I keep finding new mountaintops to try to climb to.
And I can’t believe I say it so casually, but it’s true, it’s coming up on my second decade in the business. How long have you been working in the art space? Penta spoke with Vassell about her background, her journey to opening a business in one of art’s most unprecedented times, and the scientific theory that inspired the current exhibition. At a time when the world is still grappling with the racialized experience of African Americans, Vassell is one of the few Black- and women-owned galleries in Chelsea, Manhattan’s premier art district. The gallery’s inaugural group show, The Earth, That Is Sufficient, is momentous not only for its subject-our ever-changing relationship to space-but for its home.
Today, the Jamaica-born Vassell continues to strengthen her foothold in the industry, overseeing an eponymous gallery that opened its doors to the public in May.
