State of the Art: June Edition
A night of bold conversation, cultural insight and creative energy

State of the Art is back this June, bringing together some of the most inspiring voices across art, design, and culture for an evening of genuine conversation and connection.
This edition will explore how artists use visual language to express identity, challenge norms, and spark deeper reflections. We’ll delve into the power of storytelling through art and explore what it means to create work that speaks for itself without needing explanation.
Speaker lineup:
- Eve De Haan – A London-based neon artist whose works combine text and emotion, exploring the boundaries of language and storytelling through minimal phrases. Her work has been shown at Saatchi Gallery, the Museum of Neon in LA, and for brands like Nike and Tate Modern.
- Maliha Abidi – A Pakistani-American multidisciplinary artist and Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree. Her work spans painting, VR, and Web3, focusing on migration, gender, and the South Asian diaspora. She is the founder of Women Rise and BackPackX.
- Adeche Atelier (Adwoa Botchey & Solomon Adebiyi) – A creative duo who paint simultaneously on the same canvas to bring African mythology and folklore to life. Their practice blends collaborative art-making with storytelling rooted in heritage.
- Touria El Glaoui – Founder of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, with editions in London, New York, Paris, and Marrakech. A major figure in global African art, Touria has received numerous accolades including the Gold Medal in the Arts from the John F. Kennedy Center.
Hosted by: Anna-Marie Descartes (@annamariedescartes)
Whether you’re an artist, collector, creative, or just curious. This is a space to be inspired, to connect, and to be part of something bigger.