MUNTHE ART MONDAY VERA KEMPF

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

Good morning!
I’m a French entrepreneur driven by the desire to make an impact. Eight years ago, I co-founded Singulart, which has since become the leading online art gallery and the first comprehensive suite of services designed to empower visual artists worldwide.

I’m 35 years old, I’m a mother of a 4 year old girl. I’m also an ambassador of the French touch movement celebrating Creative and Cultural Industries.

Vera is wearing Fronia dress.

Vera is wearing Fridoline blouse and Fadi pants.

Can you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

Before entering the professional world, I never imagined that my gender might hinder my ambitions. Raised by a father who instilled ambition in both of his daughters, I then pursued social sciences at a French university that championed diversity. There I received an education that empowered me to challenge the status quo, and I felt entitled to do so.

When I joined the Paris’s tech ecosystem, I quickly noticed the lack of women at networking events. In the early days of Singulart, I focused on recruiting female investors, achieving gender parity on our board of investors and directors for five years. Yet after our Series B funding, the scarcity of women in larger funds and C-level roles left me feeling isolated in those governance meetings.

I soon realized that while I excel in collaboration, I struggle with the power dynamics typical in male-dominated environments. Receiving the Bold Woman Award in December 2022 boosted my self-esteem and made me reflect on how my work is valued: my daytime efforts were geared towards investor priorities, while my off-hours were dedicated to community-building and branding for our artists. Motherhood further reshaped my understanding of work and power, revealing that gender equality remains elusive—even at the top. The early challenges of balancing parenthood underscored the different experiences of men and women. To find support, I now surround myself with ambitious female friends and engage with women’s and mothers’ communities.

In the art world, although women are well-represented at events, power still largely rests with men. That’s why I’ve always ensured we recruit at least as many female artists as male artists.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

In the early days, I was often asked whether I had a Master’s degree in art history or what qualified me for my role as a (online) art gallery. I doubt my co-founder was ever asked the same question: he was simply seen as an entrepreneur.

That said, in the long run, I believe my commitment to building authentic relationships has helped me integrate into the art world without too many obstacles.

Vera is wearing Fridoline blouse and Fadi pants.

Can you name some other female (gallery owners or women in the arts) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

That’s a great question. While I am inspired by many women, few operate within the art world, which I often find closed and old-fashioned. I’m particularly inspired by people who speak their minds, and I admire these three French women who reached the top at a young age:

● Charlotte Ketabi, whom I met nine years ago when she was COO of Galerie Nathalie Obadia. She later opened her own gallery, skillfully blending design and art.

● Aurélie Clemente Ruiz, now Director of the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, curates thought-provoking exhibitions. She has always been open to integrating other art forms into her institution, organizing events such as a street dance festival. The current exhibition on Wax fabric (African textiles) is both innovative in its theme and excellently executed.

● Constance Guisset, a brilliant designer who has openly discussed femininity in design and is unafraid to voice her opinions. Internationally, I mostly connect with male figures for now—something I should work on changing!

What would you like people to notice in the way you work with your gallery?

I want people to see that our commitment to diversity is genuine and extends beyond gender equality. Today, 57% of the artists we represent are women, and we work with artists from 110 countries.

In France, there are many statistics we are not legally allowed to collect, such as data on LGBTQ+ artists, ethnic background, or disabilities. However, I know for a fact that we represent many artists from underrepresented groups.

Whenever we organize a competition or highlight artists in our communications, I make it a priority to ensure our shortlists reflect the diversity of our community.

I hope that our collectors and the art market recognize that our community is as diverse as the world itself.

Vera is wearing Fronia dress.