Eileen Contreras, what inspired your transition from business administration to the world of art?
Art has always been a passion of mine, but it was during my first journey from Latin America to Europe that this passion evolved into a professional vision.
Visiting some of Europe’s most renowned museums, including the Louvre in Paris and major cultural institutions in London and Madrid, was a transformative experience.
My background in Business Management allowed me to see beyond the artworks themselves, recognising opportunities for strategic development, professional organisation and international cultural exchange.
I realised that my business expertise could become a valuable tool for building bridges between Italy and the international art community, bringing together artists from Latin America and across the world.
My vision is of a world without borders, where art becomes a bridge between cultures, a universal language that transcends differences, inspires dialogue and brings people together.
How has your business background shaped your approach to art, and when have you chosen instinct over strategy?
My background in Business Management has allowed me to combine artistic vision with strategic thinking, transforming creative ideas into meaningful cultural projects.
However, when selecting artists and artworks, I often trust my intuition and the emotional connection I feel with their work. I believe strategy provides the structure, but instinct gives a project its soul.
Eileen Contreras, your journey has taken you from Venezuela to London and Rome. Which experience along the way most profoundly shaped your curatorial vision?
My journey across Venezuela, London and Rome has profoundly enriched my artistic perspective. Each place has introduced me to different cultures, artistic movements and extraordinary people who have shaped my vision.
Venezuela gave me my cultural roots, London broadened my international perspective, and Rome, with its timeless beauty and extraordinary artistic heritage, has been particularly inspiring.
Living in a city that is truly an open-air museum has strengthened my belief that art is a universal language capable of connecting cultures and transcending borders.
How do literature and surrealism influence the stories you tell through your exhibitions?
Literature, philosophy, psychology and art history are constant sources of inspiration in my curatorial journey. I have always been a dreamer, which is why surrealism particularly fascinates me, although I draw inspiration from many artistic movements.
My conversations with my husband, who studied philosophy, often lead to fascinating reflections on human nature, creativity and artistic expression. These intellectual exchanges continually inspire new ideas and influence the narratives I develop through my exhibitions.
For me, curating is not simply about presenting artworks, but about creating meaningful experiences. I want artists, collectors and visitors alike to engage with the exhibition’s central theme, discover new perspectives on beauty and establish a personal, emotional connection with art.
What role has supporting women artists played in your curatorial journey?
Supporting women in the creative arts has always been an important part of my curatorial vision.
One particularly meaningful experience was curating Cento Giovani Artiste, an exhibition that brought together 100 young women artists from around the world at the prestigious Musei San Salvatore in Lauro.
The event also celebrated the intersection of art and fashion, featuring a fashion show with international female designers alongside the participating artists.
I believe in creating opportunities for women to express their creativity, share their perspectives and gain international recognition.
For me, empowering women through art is about celebrating talent, encouraging creative freedom and giving visibility to voices that deserve to be heard.
You describe art as a way to overcome prejudice and barriers. When have you seen this happen through your work?
I have always believed in a world without borders, where art serves as a universal language capable of bringing people together, regardless of their cultural, political or geographical differences.
This philosophy has inspired many of my curatorial projects, particularly Art and Human Rights, an exhibition conceived to give visibility to voices and communities that are too often unheard.
Through art, we can address sensitive issues, challenge prejudice and encourage dialogue beyond cultural boundaries.
John Lennon’s Imagine has always resonated deeply with me. As a dreamer myself, I share that vision of a world united by humanity, understanding and freedom of expression.
My mission as a curator is to build bridges between cultures, creating spaces where art becomes a powerful instrument of dialogue, empathy and human connection.
What inspired you in the initial edition to revisit The Golden Ratio with newer editions, and what are your hopes for its future?
The inspiration behind The Golden Ratio – The Formula of Beauty came from my fascination with the golden ratio, a mathematical proportion often associated with divine harmony and reflected in patterns throughout nature, geometry and art.
I wanted to invite artists to explore this fascinating concept through their own creative vision, inspiring them to create their own golden masterpiece.
Following the success of the first edition and the growing interest from artists who had been unable to participate, I decided to develop a second edition, bringing together an even more diverse selection of artists from across Italy and around the world.
Looking towards 2027, I am particularly excited about my role as curator of the Biennale Internazionale della Riviera Romana, an international art event whose previous edition welcomed artists from over 27 countries.
The 2027 programme is planned to include prestigious venues in Rome, such as Palazzo Valentini and the Chamber of Deputies, alongside other locations yet to be announced.
Furthermore, our international artistic journey is set to continue in Dubai in November 2027, through La Dolce Vita Italiana, bringing Italian culture and contemporary artistic expression to an international audience.
My long-term vision is to create meaningful cultural bridges, where artists from different backgrounds can connect, inspire one another and celebrate the universal language of art.
Editor’s Note: Beyond Borders, Beyond Beauty
Some see art as an expression of beauty. Others see it as a reflection of the world. But for those who dare to look beyond the canvas, art becomes something far more powerful: a language that needs no translation, a conversation that knows no borders, and a bridge between cultures.
Eileen Contreras, international art curator and founder of Sezione Aurea, embodies this belief. With a journey spanning Venezuela, London, and Rome, she brings together artistic sensitivity, entrepreneurial vision, and a passion for connecting people through creativity.
At Executive-Women Global, we believe that true leadership is measured not only by personal achievements but also by the opportunities we create for others.
In this exclusive interview, Eileen shares her perspective on art, ambition, and the power of cultural exchange, reminding us that sometimes the most extraordinary works of art are not those displayed on walls, but the connections we build beyond them.
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