Maria Vega

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Spanish-born art dealer Maria Vega is part of the burgeoning breed of dynamic, lateral-thinking and influential female gallerists, curators and collectors changing the rules of the game. Her London home pays homage to her eye for colour, beauty and international style while showcasing some of her favourite artists. By Laura Campbell

The glamorous Notting Hill home of Spanish art dealer Maria Vega of Ministry of Nomads doubles up as a sophisticated gallery space for her powerful art collection. The house has the feel of an elegant salon, set over several floors. By keeping to an entirely white backdrop, every piece of furniture and art pops out explosively, each making its own unique statement. An extensive traveller, Maria collects the art that informs her bold interior from all over the world, from Europe to south America. “I go deep into the subculture of each country I visit,” she says. Many of the creatives she meets along the way become her friends and she is known for her fabulously exotic parties, always pulling a wonderfully eclectic crowd.

Please explain your business Ministry of Nomads. What inspired you to set it up? What’s your vision?
Ministry of Nomads is a moveable art gallery that supports international talent – a community of artists, collectors and art lovers. I first got inspired bringing alive a cross-communication between countries that we normally we don’t have access to. For example we have an important focus in ‘Latinoamerica’; we work closely with artists coming from Colombia, Bolivia, Cuba etc.

Who do represent and why?
We have a platform of more than 20 artists. The majority of them focus in two main areas of interest: nature and environment, spirit and consciousness.

Art is your passion – how does it inform your joyful, colourful interior?
Art is my passion. Art always gives you something back. You can revisit it anytime. A good piece of art is the one that you can meditate over and over on it. The pieces and the artists that I choose are very close to my heart and a reflection of my style.

How do you create such a vibrant, tropical look in a London house?
From the vivid jungle paintings of Carlos Jacanamijoy to the vibrant landscapes of Katy Lynton, the artworks help create the vibe.

Your heritage is Spanish, how is this reflected in your current London home and why do you love this city and neighbourhood?
Having been in London Since 2001, I consider myself a Londoner. I was hungry to explore the world and London was ticking all the boxes for a more international approach. I like the diversity of Notting Hill and the English way of conduct, the sense of humour of Londoners and the cultural agenda here. My Spanish heritage has mainly been relevant in my research trips to ‘Latinoamerica’.

Please give tips on how you get this style of interior?
The most important thing is to choose artworks that are vibrant and zen at the same time. I also like to open up the rooms with mirrors to reflect the artworks at different angles.

What have you learned along the way about interiors?
The most important message I am learning about interiors is to respect good Feng Shui in the spaces. With inspiring art and tropical plants, you don’t need much more.

In hindsight, is there anything you would have done differently?
Probably I would have recorded all my research on video. So much to learn and to share.

How do you relax and what do you love doing when you’re not working?
I love to dance. Work and pleasure are very much interconnected in the Arts. I like to read, research new artists and do studio visits. I love to host friends at home and curate musical events and plan the future.