AKKA Project's Lidija Khachatourian on Shifting from Market to Research-Led Model
Lidija Khachatourian, founder of AKKA Project, discusses her gallery's evolution from a market-driven model to a research-led, custodial approach centered on African and diasporic artists. Operating in Venice since 2019, AKKA is the only gallery in the city dedicated to this focus. Khachatourian emphasizes slowness, direct material support, and long-term artist relationships over high-volume programming. She initiated the ArtAndAboutAfrica grant during COVID, revealing artists' fragility. As artistic energy consolidates on the African continent with returning diasporas, AKKA rethinks its role, moving toward deeper collaborations where exhibitions are outcomes of longer engagements. Khachatourian values specificity over monolithic views of Africa and seeks partners aligned with depth and long-term intent. The gallery is located at Ca' del Duca 3052, San Marco, Venice.
Key facts
- AKKA Project was founded in 2016 in Dubai and in 2019 in Venice.
- It is the only gallery in Venice dedicated to African and diasporic artists.
- Founder Lidija Khachatourian prioritizes research-led, custodial approaches over market-driven ones.
- The gallery initiated the ArtAndAboutAfrica grant during the COVID period.
- Khachatourian notes a shift of artistic energy to the African continent.
- AKKA supports artists through studio spaces, material assistance, and acquisitions.
- The gallery aims to create collective travel opportunities for collectors and curators to Africa.
- AKKA Project Venice is located at Ca' del Duca 3052, Corte del Duca Sforza, San Marco, Venice.
Entities
Artists
- Alexandre Kyungu
- Osaru Obaseki
Institutions
- AKKA Project
- ART AFRICA
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- San Marco
- Africa