Occupation: I am an active member of the contemporary art world, with a special focus on young patronage and arts and culture in the Middle East, holding a variety of non-profit board and committee positions which promote young patronage of the arts in London and collecting in the Middle East.The majority of the philanthropic work I do is through chairing/ founding/ running museum patrons groups.
I am Chair of the Tate Young Patrons (and representative to the Tate Patrons board), co-chair of the Parasol Future Unit and founding International Co-Chair of The Chinati Foundation Contemporaries Council as well as a member of the Committee for the Serpentine Gallery Future Contemporaries group and the Advisory group of Photo London.I am a founding member of the Tate Committee for Middle Eastern and North African Acquisitions, the Board of Patrons of Art Dubai, the Board of 1:54 The African Art Fair, and the Middle East Circle of the Guggenheim.I am a member of the board of trustees (the Council) of the Institute of Contemporary Arts London.
Amongst my professional commitments, I work as the Representative for the Middle East and consultant for Art Basel and an Executive at Generation Three Family Partners, a multi-family office based in London and Zug, Switzerland, as well as a liaison to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for their art and sponsorship activities in the Middle East and an ambassador to Farfetch.
Instagram: No handle, but my friends created my very own hasthag: #aliagetinstagram.


Where were you born?
My family is an unusual one—flung all over the world and of all different races, nationalities and religions.My identity at its core is that of my father and my mother, the former unabashedly Libyan and the latter a Minnesota girl who found her way to Egypt, and back to sunny cool California.I grew up in Cairo and California with moments in the Midwestern US (South Dakota and Minnesota) and Europe thrown in.
The beginning of my life was defined by my constant shuttling back and forth from mother to father to paternal grandparents as well as maternal ones.I had the privilege of having these 4 loving homes as a child, yet all so culturally distinct by every definition.I was all around the world and went through phases of embracing one more than the other until I realized that I could be them all at the same time—this is definitely something I embrace in my personal style, being all those things inside of me as well as through fashion.


In one sentence what is unique about your work?
My personal and professional interests are inextricably intertwined.I am passionate about contemporary art, and my favorite titles were given to me by the illustrious curator Hans Ulrich Obrist who called me a junctionmaker, and Chris Dercon who told me I was an intrepid frontier explorer and bridge of cultures.


Why do you do what you do? 
My life is centered around my art activities—for the Tate, ICA, for Art Basel, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars or Farfetch or my myriad other commitments.I somehow manage to bring everything back to the context of how art can benefit our society and everyday lives.My work with Rolls-Royce and Farfetch has been eye-opening as neither are traditional art companies, yet they both realize the quality of the work they do with cars and in fashion are so overlapping with contemporary art and the possibilities of what results by combining art with smart business can bring to better a community.

What inspires you?
I embrace the idea of the art world as a holistic way of spending my life.I am lucky that the people I work with do the same.I think art truly matters and culture makes the difference in people’s lives, whether they actively take part in it or it just comes to them through osmosis.I recently gave an interview that holds true, I like to demystify the art world to people who aren't involved because it can be intimidating.Art and design does not have to be a passion, does not have to be all-encompassing. Art and design is an important cultural marker-it defines who we are, be it as a culture, as a place or as a society and I truly believe everyone should value and support artistic production in whatever way they are able.


Describe your personal style.
I love to wear things that make me feel attractive — which means I love flattering clothes that I find comfortable, and with a hint of allure.I definitely embrace my curves!To me fashion is much more than just a form of aesthetic, clothes are a representation of personality and their ability to give people very distinct impressions.My style of course has evolved with age, and now with profession.I understand what my clothes mean in terms of the person I want to be and also the person I am in the art world.I love the elegant preppiness of Ralph Lauren mixed with the structure and glamor of Roland Mouret and Dolce & Gabbana.


Your ultimate must-have.
A must do is to visit boutiques wherever I travel, for home goods as well as fashion items, it gives me inspiration but also I get so excited finding pieces on my trips that remind me of those happy interludes.Of course I find them on Farfetch when I’m back home, but A’maree’s in Newport Beach, Maxfield in LA, The Webster in Miami, Browns in London, Joyce in Hong Kong are a few of my regular stops along with the special shops around the world that are those secret nooks of local culture and style.


What superpower would you have and why?
Teleportation, without a doubt, you can do so much good by being able to actively be in so many places.


What is next for you?
After art fair madness of March, with Art Dubai and Art Basel Hong Kong, I will be turning my focus to my PhD and writing up all my field notes from my observations in Saudi Arabia and from my travels. My trip to Saudi this year for the Saudi Art Councils “21,39 Jeddah Arts” was a highlight—always fascinating to see the nuance in this special country.Back to school—I can’t wait to get my chapters finished!

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