Photos © Leloluce

By Sabah Kaddouri

The curtain falls on Art Genève, where 81 international galleries set up at Palexpo for this 13^th edition. In an art market dominated by the United States, Switzerland remains a powerhouse that attracts collectors and artists alike. Fresh from Art Basel Miami and preparing for World Art Dubai (April 2025), the prolific Leloluce decodes with us the geopolitics of art, the investment approach and what audiences are looking for. Interview.

Sabah Kaddouri: Switzerland is a land of collectors you know well. Is money put into art more for a love of art or for commercial opportunism?

Leloluce : Switzerland is a country with a deeply rooted culture of collecting, grounded in a genuine appreciation of art and also a real awareness of its potential as a financial asset. Swiss collectors are knowledgeable: they know that art can be an economic safe haven, while also being a means of expression and cultural transmission. The balance between passion and investment is particularly well mastered here, with a long-term approach in which an artist’s market value and the historical relevance of a work play a key role.

Sabah Kaddouri: Do profiles differ between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland?

Leloluce : Yes, there are differences. French-speaking Switzerland has a closer connection to French and European art, and collectors there are often driven by a more emotional and intuitive approach. German-speaking Switzerland, by contrast, is shaped by a more pragmatic culture of investing in art, with a more advanced financial structure. This is reflected in particular in a close attention to artists’ market value and the resilience of the market. But in both cases, there is a genuine artistic sensibility and a taste for strong, meaningful works.

Sabah Kaddouri: As an artist who is also called upon for your financial expertise in dedicated conferences, what should we take away from the market? Which investments are promising and what determines an artist’s market value?

Leloluce : Today, art is a strategic investment that goes beyond simple aesthetic pleasure. Investors are looking for works that combine uniqueness and appreciation potential. Current trends show strong demand for established artists, monumental works and pieces with a strong, recognisable and timeless visual identity. What determines an artist’s market value is прежде всего the ability to create a distinctive universe, generate sustained demand and secure a place in institutional or museum collections. But recognition alone is not enough: authenticity and the emotional power of a work remain essential if an artist is to stand out over time.

Sabah Kaddouri: You took part for the first time in Art Basel Miami; do you think creative energy is mainly American? What could challenge that hegemony?

Leloluce : Creative energy in the United States is undeniable. Art Basel Miami, in particular, reflects this effervescence with an ecosystem where artists, collectors and institutions intersect in an exceptional dynamic. America has this ability to turn art into a global spectacle, creating events where everything hinges on staging and impact. However, American hegemony is not unshakeable. Europe remains a strong bastion of art, with a history and heritage that continue to influence the market. But what could truly disrupt this dominance is the rise of emerging art scenes in Asia and the Middle East. These regions are investing heavily in contemporary art and developing platforms that rival the major Western fairs.

Sabah Kaddouri: How does Switzerland position itself in the geopolitics of art?

Leloluce : Switzerland is a key player in the art market, thanks to renowned fairs such as Art Basel, its strong banking network and its infrastructure dedicated to the preservation and trade of works of art. Its status as a neutral financial centre allows it to play the role of an international hub for collectors and institutions. But what sets it apart in particular is its commitment to a quality-driven approach: here, continuity and rigour are favoured over fleeting trends. Switzerland is therefore a guarantor of stability and seriousness in the geopolitics of art.

Sabah Kaddouri: 2024 was a very successful year for you, notably with your exhibition during the Olympic Games under the aegis of the Games Committee and the French Ministry of Culture. What kind of dialogue do you want to maintain with the general public?

Leloluce : This exhibition was an incredible opportunity to show that art and sport share common values: emotion, the power of gesture, transmission and self-transcendence. My personal journey, marked by a sporting ambition cut short by injury, finds a special resonance in this dialogue between art and the Olympic Games. Through my works, I want to create a universal language, accessible to everyone. My pop art style, with its puzzle-like forms, represents the pieces of life that shape us, our trials and our victories. My wish is to bring happiness and energy to the public, and to show that art is a powerful vector of emotion and human connection.

Sabah Kaddouri: Soon, we will see you at World Art Dubai in April 2025. What are you preparing?

Leloluce : World Art Dubai has become a must-attend event on the art market. This exhibition will be an opportunity to present a wide range of my works, both paintings and sculptures. It is essential for me to highlight my pop art and street art paintings, because painting is where it all began. My work is deeply marked by the energy of colour, dynamic compositions and a unique graphic approach that reflects my universe and artistic vision. These works will be at the heart of my exhibition in Dubai, alongside my sculptures. I will also present my iconic sculptures, notably the LeloCat, the LeloBear and the LeloBunny, created for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Two monumental sculptures, the LeloBunny and the LeloCat, will be unveiled, underlining my commitment to art on a large scale.

The exhibition at World Art Dubai will be a unique opportunity to show how my art evolves between painting and sculpture, between tradition and innovation, between emotion and investment.

Sabah Kaddouri: As LELOLUCE is associated with luxury, do you want to explore other worlds, other forms of artistic expression?

Leloluce : My work belongs to a high-end artistic universe, and that is a positioning I fully embrace. Luxury is not only about price; above all, it is a demand for quality, a pursuit of timelessness and excellence. But art is an infinite playground, and I love experimenting. Monumental works and immersive formats interest me more and more, because they create a powerful impact on the viewer. I also want to explore other media and collaborations, notably with architecture, design and digital.

I am convinced that art must evolve and surprise, while remaining true to its essence. My paintings and sculptures will continue to engage in harmony with one another, in a pursuit of innovation and emotional connection with the public.

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