5 QUESTIONS: EMMA SALAHI FOUNDER OF AGONY + ECSTASY GALLERY
Q1: Tell us how Agony + Ecstasy began and why did you choose Ibiza?
ES: The gallery came about when a friend of mine and I were hanging out in my apartment and I had sort of caught what the residents like to call ‘The Ibiza Disease’ and was feeling quite useless (and hungover). My friend looked around at my collection of art I’d brought over from London and said ‘why don’t you start an art gallery?’ And the idea never left me. It was an itch I needed to scratch.
I started Agony + Ecstasy with the mindset that Ibiza was missing a really cool, eclectic pop-arty gallery. The ones I used to see in Shoreditch in East London on a Sunday morning. I originally called the gallery ‘The Agony and The Ecstasy’ after the drum and bass album by High Contrast, but soon shortened it because it was a real tongue twister...
Q2: Favourite artist and artwork at the moment?
ES: I’m really into Dave Buonaguidi at the moment, he was someone I always aspired to work with at the gallery. I remember seeing his logo’s exhibition at Jealous and sort of falling completely in love with him. The colours and in your face slogans are addictive.
Favourite artwork is a painting I found on Instagram the other day by Ally Rae Peeples. It’s this warped washing machine-like, sort of on the cusp of psychedelicacy painting. I really love it. She’s exhibiting in my hometown right now in Norwich, which I wish I could go to.
Q3: What’s your background, have you always been in the art world?
ES: I lived in London for 10 years working in luxury fashion like Burberry and Dior, then I went to do an internship at LOVE Magazine, which was my dream job and managed to work my way up the ladder, from intern to PA of the Editor in Chief, Katie Grand, and Producer of the whole magazine.
I’ve never worked in art, but I’ve always been obsessed and fascinated by it. I really enjoy that tingly feeling when you see a piece of art that just sings to you, and you know you just have to buy it there and then. I’ve always been creative growing up, the only subject I sort of did really well in was art and photography. I then went on to do a Diploma in Art and Design specialising in Photography at London College of Communication when I was 18, I got the highest mark and an award..
Q4: What would you take with you on a deserted island?
ES: Probably my Mini.. I can’t survive without driving anywhere and blitzing music out the window. And probably my rabbit Ramesses.
Q5: Favourite quote or inspiration mantra?
ES: It changes quite frequently, but right now it’s ‘find what you love, and let it kill you’ by Charles Bukowski.
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