From The Pitch To The Gallery
Diallo Simon-Ponte, an art curator with a background in football, bridges the two worlds through shared attributes of discipline and dedication. He relates his football training's relentless repetition to the meticulous work of art curation, and credits his footballing past for his strong work ethic and attention to detail. He identifies artistic talent similarly to assessing athletes β focusing on technical mastery, creativity, and originality.
Diallo's journey from football to the art world has given him a unique perspective and approach, exemplified by his role at Gagosian gallery. However, he acknowledges the challenge faced by players like Serge Gnabry, who experience backlash for diversifying their interests, emphasizing that athletes should be free to explore their passions beyond their sport without undue scrutiny. In the ever-evolving space of art and football collaboration, Diallo highlights examples like Grace Wales Bonner and Kitboys, showcasing the exciting potential when these two realms intersect creatively.