Valérie Lefort, VL Fineart and the Treasures of the Indian Ocean "I see the Indian Ocean as a strategic crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Europe."
All eyes on the Indian Ocean with Valérie Lefort launching VL Fineart, a pioneering gallery dedicated to promoting and supporting artists from this rich and diverse region. Based in La Réunion island for several years, Valérie brings deep, genuine determination to the project, shaped by a childhood steeped in art, even though her professional path initially took a different route. After a successful career in upscale real estate, she chose to return to her first passion: art. Her previous experience now allows her to approach art with a sharp eye and a refined understanding of both cultural and economic stakes while forging new and unexpected bridges with the global art world.
In this exclusive interview, Valérie Lefort takes us behind the scenes of the launch of VL Fineart and shares her deep passion for artists from the Indian Ocean. She also opens up about the realities of building an art business in an island territory and the strategic approaches she’s putting in place to meet those unique challenges head-on.
Valerie LEFORT, fondatrice de VL Fineart
Ngalula MAFWATA : How did your passion for art begin? What are some of your earliest artistic memories?
Valérie LEFORT : I had a rather classic upbringing shaped by artistic environment, largely thanks to my mother, an avid art lover who used to collect, Flemish and Dutch paintings among others. Early on, I was exposed to galleries and museums, which naturally nurtured my aesthetic sensitivity. I later followed a traditional path in art history and earned my degree in 1995. During those three years, I gained hands-on experience through internships in galleries, museums, and agencies specializing in art communication. My interest quickly gravitated toward contemporary art galleries. In 1992, I attended FIAC for the first time and acquired my very first piece: a work by Austrian artist Olivier Dorfer, known for his use of charcoal and his dark, introspective aesthetic. That was my first real artistic crush—both as an art enthusiast and as a collector.
Ngalula MAFWATA: At that stage, you do collect. How did you develop your eye, are there momentums that consolidated it ?
Valérie LEFORT : Over the course of my academic journey, I gradually refined my artistic eye through regular gallery visits and powerful encounters. I was deeply moved by the worlds of several artists. The charcoal works of Piotr Szurek struck me with their expressive intensity, while the universe of Ouattara Watts was a true revelation—blending painting, objects, photography, and drawing. I realized that my eye is instinctively drawn to raw, visceral forms, and that the works I was acquiring all shared a kind of primal, even tribal, energy. At the time, my artistic choices were purely intuitive—I wasn’t focused on market value or positioning. I was collecting out of passion. And yet, in hindsight, many of those instincts proved right, considering the recognition those artists now have in the art world.
Ngalula MAFWATA : Can you tell us about experiences which shaped your vision of what a gallery can be, and your relationship with living art?
Valérie LEFORT : Beyond my ongoing routine of gallery visits and exhibition openings, which remains a part of my life, I was particularly struck by Emmanuel Perrotin, who at the time lived and exhibited in his apartment on rue Beaubourg, a true living space. It was a pioneering concept back then: turning one’s home into an exhibition space, blending intimacy and commercial intent. That approach left a deep impression on me. I remember thinking that one day, I too could create a gallery that wasn’t just a showroom, but a home inhabited by art. Emmanuel Perrotin remains, to this day, someone whose journey I follow closely.
Another defining moment for me was at the CAPC in Bordeaux, where I attended an exhibition by Gilbert & George. They were present for the show and performed their piece Singing Sculpture for three hours. I was deeply moved by their sincerity, their connection with the audience, and the way they erased all boundaries between art and life. That day, I understood what it truly means for a work to be alive.
AHIAHY (Doute incertitude), Ashiko RATOVO, 2024
Ngalula MAFWATA : And yet, you didn’t launch your gallery right away?
Valérie LEFORT : No, I started a family and put my artistic projects on hold, turning instead to real estate. That chapter lasted twenty years, fifteen of which I spent in the high-end property market. In 2017, I launched my own agency, VL Signatures, in Bordeaux. I built a strong local reputation by establishing long-term, trust-based relationships with my clients. My sharp eye for aesthetics naturally drew me to rare and exceptional properties. This profession actually nurtured my artistic sensitivity : I loved discovering unique interiors and speaking with my clients, many of whom were art collectors. I once walked into a living room and saw a Picasso or a Mondrian hanging on the wall. Moments like that reminded me that art had always remained, in some way, at the heart of my journey.
Ngalula MAFWATA : So how did VL Fineart begin?
Valérie LEFORT : VL Fineart is a niche project I spent a long time thinking through. Over time, I refined the positioning I wanted to give it, taking into account the specific realities of La Réunion and the wider Indian Ocean region. That reflection naturally led me to the gallery format, where I could apply the skills I’d developed through my background in upscale real estate. What truly sparked the adventure was meeting the artists. I began traveling across the region and was warmly welcomed. Those encounters allowed me to build genuine connections while asserting my professional credibility. I gave myself a challenge: to convince certain artists to trust me and join VL Fineart.
What I discovered was a world that’s rich both artistically and humanly, full of sensitive individuals whose creative approach deeply moved me. I gravitated toward emerging artists —but not only— whose work I saw as having real potential, both artistically and commercially, especially with collectors interested in Indian Ocean and diaspora scenes. VL Fineart is both a personal challenge and a natural continuation of my journey. It’s a new chapter I’m proud to lead, alongside artists who have chosen to place their trust in me.
Ngalula MAFWATA : What challenges have you faced in developing VL Fineart in La Réunion?
Valérie LEFORT : I quickly encountered a number of challenges tied to the cultural, geographical, and economic realities of the region. In La Réunion, for example, the local market is relatively small—we’re about 900,000 inhabitants on the island, and art, like culture more broadly, remains a niche sector. There are only a handful of active galleries here, which is quite different from mainland France, where there’s a more vibrant and diverse art ecosystem. In general, art spaces are scarce, as are public funding opportunities, which limits artists’ chances to exhibit their work.
The geographical isolation of the region presents another major challenge, especially when it comes to building bridges with Africa or Europe. That’s why it’s essential to support local artists and offer them visibility beyond the island—particularly in mainland France. For this reason, I’ve chosen to focus primarily on organizing exhibitions in Europe as a first step.
L’éloignement géographique dans la région constitue un autre défi, notamment pour créer des ponts avec l’Afrique ou l’Europe. Il devient alors essentiel d’accompagner des artistes réunionnais ou installés dans la région et de leur offrir une visibilité en métropole.
Valerie LEFORT, VL Fineart
Ngalula MAFWATA : What artistic vision do you defend through VL Fineart? What can we expect ?
Valérie LEFORT : I was determined not to fall into a folkloric approach to art, or reduce it to craft. The line between the two can sometimes be thin, but it’s important to draw it clearly. The artists I represent are full-fledged professionals. It’s essential to highlight their talent, their stories, and their cultural roots—not through an exoticized lens, but through a commitment to genuine artistic recognition.
My goal is to position them on ambitious platforms: among collectors, at art fairs and biennials—not only in residencies or foundations, although those can have their place. Since the beginning of this journey, I’ve been warmly welcomed by these artists, who are overflowing with talent yet still far too underrepresented. I take great pleasure in championing their work and providing a structured framework for their careers.
The role of women in this scene is especially powerful: they bring a critical eye to society, challenging many forms of oppression, including patriarchy, with both strength and nuance. I’m truly excited to share their voices and stories with a wider audience in the near future.
“La Réunion is a land of extraordinary cultural diversity where Creole, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, African, and many other communities coexist and influence local artistic creation. That art is often rooted in a rich, layered identity. I see the Indian Ocean as a strategic crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Europe, a region whose creative diversity is attracting growing international interest.”
Ngalula MAFWATA : How would you define your positioning and ambitions for promoting Indian Ocean artists internationally ?
Valérie LEFORT : La Réunion is a land of extraordinary cultural diversity where Creole, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese, African, and many other communities coexist and influence local artistic creation. That art is often rooted in a rich, layered identity. I see the Indian Ocean as a strategic crossroads between Africa, Asia, and Europe, a region whose creative diversity is attracting growing international interest.
My goal is to take these artists beyond their local context, to increase their visibility across borders. There’s already an active market developing between Mauritius and South Africa, which highlights the urgency of supporting artists from Madagascar and La Réunion as well. I believe deeply in their talent and am committed to supporting them however I can—even if, at times, it feels like a bit of a wild challenge (laughs).
I’m starting in a context where collectors with a genuine interest in the Indian Ocean art scene are still few and far between, whether in France, Europe, Africa, or elsewhere. I remain attentive to the initiatives of foundations, cultural centers, and art institutions in La Réunion, Mauritius, and the surrounding territories.
This strategic vision is what led me to create VL Fineart, to showcase their work while launching the gallery itself. It’s also what inspired our decision to take part in Art Shopping fair this fall.
To learn more about VL Fineart, visit their website vlfineart.com and meet them at Art Shopping (Paris), October 17–19, 2025.
