Renowned for its award-winning cuisine and refined hospitality, Em Sherif (Instagram) is now expanding its cultural imprint with the launch of the Em Sherif Art Foundation. The new initiative, led by Curator Sherif Hayek and founded by Chef Mireille Hayek and CEO Dani Chakour, seeks to elevate Lebanese art on an international scale—reimagining the Em Sherif restaurants as spaces where food, design, and contemporary art coexist. In this exclusive conversation, Sherif Hayek shares the foundation’s mission and vision, shaped by his personal journey with art and a deep commitment to heritage, storytelling, and accessibility.
Can you tell us about your personal journey with art and how it shaped your vision for the Em Sherif Art Foundation?
My journey with art began during the Covid lockdowns, a period that unexpectedly became formative for me. I was spending a lot of time with my uncle Dani Chakour, who not only introduced me to the art world but also passed along his deep passion for it. His encouragement led me to pursue art studies in London and immerse myself in the gallery scene.
How did your experiences studying and working in galleries influence the way you curate for the Foundation?
My experiences studying and working in galleries taught me to look at art through three essential lenses: context, narrative, and accessibility. I learned that it’s not just about how a piece looks, but where it comes from, what story it’s telling, and how easily that story can be accessed and understood by different audiences. These three ideas now shape the way I curate for the Foundation, they help me think about how to connect the artwork, the artist, and the viewer in a more meaningful way.
How do you envision the Foundation evolving over the next few years?
Over the next few years, I see the Em Sherif Art Foundation evolving into a dynamic network of artistic exchange across our growing number of locations around the world. Rather than serving as a traditional exhibition space, the goal is to flip the narrative, to create a platform that connects artists, viewers, curators, and geographies in meaningful ways. By acquiring most of the works we exhibit, we’re able to showcase them over longer periods of time, giving people the chance to return, reflect, and connect with the pieces on a deeper level. It’s about fostering genuine, ongoing dialogue, not just presenting art in isolation. Traditional galleries can often feel intimidating with the white walls and formal settings, which can make art seem distant. By integrating art into our restaurants, we break down those barriers. The works become part of a lived environment, accessible, engaging, and woven into the rhythm of everyday life.
What do you hope Lebanese artists gain most from participating in the Foundation’s initiatives?
I hope Lebanese artists gain the opportunity to showcase their work in a new context, reaching international audiences. For example, having artists like Ziad Antar exhibit in Paris brings Lebanese art to a global stage, offering visibility and connection beyond local boundaries. It’s about expanding their reach and creating opportunities for them to engage with the wider art world.
How do you select the artists and artworks that are showcased in Em Sherif locations?
When selecting artists and artworks for the Em Sherif locations, the first criterion is that they are Lebanese artists, regardless of where they are based in the world. Our goal is to showcase work that not only sparks conversation but also makes you feel something. Take Ziad Antar’s work in Paris as an example, it’s not about directly representing Lebanon, but Ziad is Lebanese, from the historic city of Saida, and his work is deeply connected to his culture. His pieces reflect aspects of Lebanon’s social and cultural landscape, offering a blend of personal experience and broader themes.
What criteria or values are most important to you when choosing art for the Foundation?
When choosing art for the Foundation, what matters most to me is finding works that reflect the experiences of Lebanon today, whether it’s migration, resilience, urban transformation, or memory. There must be a strong connection to Lebanese heritage, whether through the subject matter, materials used, or the emotions it creates.
What has been the biggest challenge in launching the Foundation internationally?
The biggest challenge has been finding the balance between adapting to each unique cultural landscape while preserving the essence of what Em Sherif stands for. Each location, whether it’s Istanbul or New York, brings its own rhythm, its own narrative, and we’ve had to ensure that the exhibitions feel authentic to their environment while maintaining our curatorial standards. At Em Sherif, we’ve always taken a different approach, which means giving time for people to embrace and connect with our vision. With Paris now part of our journey, we’re excited to expand further, with two more locations in the works.
Can you share a moment or project with the Foundation that has been particularly meaningful for you?
A particularly meaningful moment for me was when Dani first approached me with the idea of creating the Foundation. He spoke about the need for a space where Lebanese artists could be showcased on the international stage, and how we could bridge the gap between heritage and contemporary art. That conversation was the spark that brought the Em Sherif Art Foundation to life, and it’s been a guiding force for us ever since.
How do you approach creating a multi-sensory experience that blends cuisine, design, and art?
At Em Sherif, the dining experience is about more than just food, it’s a celebration of culture. Our cuisine is deeply sensory, rooted in heritage, and you feel like it’s your mum’s cooking. Our goal is to complement that with art, creating a space where the art is powerful enough to draw people in, but never distracts from the food or the atmosphere of the restaurant. It’s an added layer that enhances the entire experience, inviting guests to connect with both the cuisine and the art in a meaningful way.
Are there upcoming collaborations or exhibitions you’re particularly excited about?
Absolutely. There are some exciting things on the horizon, new locations, new artists, and ideas we’ve been quietly shaping behind the scenes. We don’t want to reveal too much just yet, but we’ll definitely be sharing more soon.
How do you plan to continue engaging local communities in each city where Em Sherif operates?
Community is at the heart of everything we do. Each city brings its own energy, and we’re finding ways to respond to that in thoughtful, unexpected ways. We’re dreaming big, and we have some beautiful ideas in the pipeline, stay tuned!
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