In conversation with Tima Jam
“Public art is vital because it breaks down barriers — not everyone steps into a gallery, but everyone moves through the city.”
- Tima Jam
Tima Jam
Iranian-born British curator and producer Tima Jam is the Founder of Art Voyage, a new migrant-led cultural platform committed to building a dynamic, equitable, and globally connected arts ecosystem through novel initiatives comprising exhibitions, public art, summits, residences, and community engagement to create a lasting cultural and social impact.
Art Voyage is soon to launch with its inaugural Echoes of Migration Summit, taking place at London’s prestigious Royal Society of Arts (RSA) on Friday 10 October. Bringing together over 20 leading voices from the art world and beyond, the one-day event will explore the intersections of migration, identity, and contemporary creativity. Far more than a traditional conference, Echoes of Migration is a cultural catalyst. It brings together artists, curators, cultural leaders, philanthropists, and educators to co-create a platform for dialogue, imagination, and systemic change, centring migrant voices as powerful agents of creativity, care, and cultural connection.
While the calibre of speakers for the summit is high – including leading cultural voices from around the world – Tima is keen to stress that everyone is welcome to participate. Early bird tickets are available until Sunday 28 September via the Art Voyage website. We spoke with her as she gears up for the big day.
How did you begin your journey into art? Did you grow up in a creative environment?
Art has always been the driving force in my life. At 19, I opened the first gallery in my hometown in Iran — in a city where no gallery had ever existed before. That early experience of creating space for artists showed me how art could spark dialogue and drive change, and it set me on a path that has continued to evolve internationally. Over the years I studied and worked across Kuala Lumpur, Croatia, and Turkey, before relocating to London in 2019. Each place deepened my understanding of how culture, migration, and heritage shape artistic practice. My creative environment was never confined to a single household; it has always been shaped by the diversity and complexity of the communities around me, which continue to inspire the projects I lead today.
Was your career trajectory a traditional one? Can you detail any elements of your professional life that helped you get to where you are now?
My career hasn’t been a traditional one. Rather than following a straight path, I’ve been driven by curiosity and a commitment to create opportunities, moving across countries, curating projects, and establishing platforms that support artists in innovative ways.
What I treasure most from this journey is the people I’ve met along the way: the incredible artists I’ve discovered and the inspiring collaborators who are shaping and transforming the art scene today. Those connections, combined with the experience of working across cultures and disciplines, have been pivotal in bringing me to where I am now and continue to shape how I approach my work.
Have you always been a Londoner? If not, are there other places that inspire and inform you?
I am Iranian and wasn’t born in London, but London has become home and a constant source of inspiration. The city’s diversity and its ability to reinvent itself continue to energise me every day. At the same time, places where migration stories are deeply woven into the fabric of the city, like Istanbul and Berlin, also shape my perspective. Their layered histories and cultural movements resonate strongly with my vision and continue to inform my work.
Who inspires you in the worlds of art, culture and business?
I’m inspired by people who push boundaries and create meaningful change. In the art world, artists like Yinka Shonibare CBE and Lubaina Himid deeply resonate with me for the way they explore identity, migration, and heritage, giving voice to complex histories through their practice. In culture, I admire leaders like Roxane Zand, who has championed cross-cultural dialogue and built bridges between institutions and communities. In business, I’m inspired by philanthropic innovators who reimagine giving as a form of partnership rather than charity, creating ecosystems where artists and communities can truly thrive.
At the same time, some of the most inspiring figures are often not the most visible ones, the activists, emerging artists, and community members I encounter directly in my work. What unites them all is courage, generosity, and a deep commitment to leaving a meaningful impact.
Where else do you find inspiration?
Beyond my own life, I find inspiration in people, in the communities I work with, in friends and collaborators, and in the dialogues we share. Attending art events around the world also fuels me; I love the poetic way of noticing small moments, seeing how ideas unfold across different cultures, and exploring new perspectives together. Some of my best sparks of inspiration come from brainstorming with a team, exchanging viewpoints, and watching creativity take shape in dialogue.
Rebecca Najdowski, Another Nature Video, 2025
Can you tell us about Blue Rhino Art? What inspired you to set it up?
Blue Rhino Art was born from a desire to create platforms that support artists and foster cultural dialogue. I wanted to provide spaces where talent can flourish, where emerging voices, especially from underrepresented communities, can be seen and heard. It’s about building a global community that celebrates diversity, encourages collaboration, and helps artists navigate the evolving art world with guidance and mentorship.
And what about Art Voyage?
Art Voyage Biennial is just over a year old, yet it builds on two decades of experience gained through Blue Rhino Art and from living and working in different parts of the world alongside global artists and experts.
Founded in 2024, to rethink how art can be experienced across borders, it functions as a nomadic, hybrid model of artistic exchange that brings together artists, curators, and communities worldwide. A key milestone will be Echoes of Migration, which marks the official launch of Art Voyage’s programme through public art installations, community workshops, and a one-day summit at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).
It seems to be a very multidisciplinary initiative, and huge in ambition. Can you tell us a bit about Echoes of Migration, to start with?
Echoes of Migration lies at the heart of Art Voyage as a flagship event in 2025. The public art transforms spaces in Lewisham into inclusive cultural landmarks, the workshops invite local communities to explore identity and belonging, and the Summit brings together artists, curators, cultural leaders, and educators for panels, dialogue, and reflection. Together, these segments celebrate migrant narratives and amplify vital voices, while the digital Story Archive and Public Art Map extend the project’s impact beyond the city. Building this programme from the ground up has been incredibly rewarding, seeing the pieces connect, sparking creativity, collaboration, and conversation across communities and disciplines.
Who do you hope will come to the summit, and what do you hope they come away with?
We hope to welcome a broad audience, from curators, gallerists, and academics to students, policymakers, and anyone interested in how migration shapes the arts. Our goal is for people to leave with a deeper understanding of the challenges migrant artists face, but also with a sense of excitement about how these voices are transforming the cultural landscape today. Above all, we want the summit to amplify perspectives that have too often been overlooked and to inspire meaningful dialogue, connection, and change.
Can you give us an idea of the sorts of speakers we can expect, and the topics they will cover?
We’re bringing together a diverse and dynamic mix of speakers, from artists, curators, and cultural leaders to philanthropists, academics, and voices from migrant and community organisations. The aim is to capture the full spectrum of perspectives on migration and identity in art. Topics will include how cultural memory and heritage shape creative practice, the role of institutions in supporting migrant artists, and how philanthropy can evolve to be more ethical, inclusive, and community-led. We’ll also address pressing issues such as decentralising the arts beyond major city centres, and the ways technology and collaboration are transforming cultural exchange. What excites me most is the balance between high-level thought leadership and lived experience, ensuring the audience leaves both inspired and equipped with fresh ideas. We warmly invite everyone to be part of this important conversation at the Echoes of Migration Summit.
Rebecca Najdowski, Installation of Surfacing and Ambient Pressure, 2025
How important is the public art element? Why Lewisham?
Public art is vital because it breaks down barriers, not everyone steps into a gallery, but everyone moves through the city. By placing art in shared spaces, we make it part of daily life and open the door to wider conversations. Lewisham was chosen for its powerful history of migration and activism, alongside its vibrant artistic community. It’s the ideal place to begin these dialogues in a truly public, accessible way.
How did you select the artists for this project?
We chose artists whose work speaks directly to the themes of migration, identity, and cultural memory. The selection process was collaborative and intentional, focusing on practices that are both conceptually strong and socially engaged, offering fresh perspectives that connect with diverse audiences. Some artists came to us through open calls, others through recommendations, professional networks, or by discovering their work in exhibitions and residencies worldwide. At the end we chose three artists Alice Burnhope, Vladimir Lalic and Ryan Hawaii.
Vladimir Lalić created To Move, is to Bloom, a dragonfly-shaped installation on the lake that reflects on displacement, resilience, and renewal. Ryan Hawaii designed A Tapestry of Lewisham, a community bench that celebrates local heroes, businesses, and migrant communities through his bold mix of painting, textiles, and music. And Alice Burnhope is leading Crafting Connections workshops, inviting people to explore identity and belonging through embroidery and natural dye. Alice’s final sculpture also continues through a travelling installation, moving across cultural sites in London and beyond, ensuring the project has a long-lasting reach.
Together, their work will transform Manor House Gardens into a space of dialogue and reflection, I’d invite everyone to come and experience it for themselves.
How do you see Art Voyage developing in the future?
I believe Art Voyage will keep building as a truly nomadic platform, one that keeps expanding into new cities and communities while building meaningful international collaborations. In 2026 we will officially launch the Art Voyage Biennial, with its first edition in London in 2027. Unlike traditional biennials, ours will move to a new global city every two years, creating fresh opportunities for cultural exchange and dialogue. Future editions are already planned for Dubai, Dammam, Berlin, and Hong Kong, following an Olympic-style model that fosters global exposure and creative transformation. Ultimately, our vision is to build sustainable networks where artists and communities can connect, experiment, and generate lasting cultural and social impact across borders.
What would be your dream project?
In many ways, I’m already living my dream project through Art Voyage and Echoes of Migration, bringing artists, communities, and ideas together in the ways I’ve always envisioned. But I believe dream projects evolve organically; the next one is always the one that pushes me further, sparks new dialogue, and amplifies voices that need to be heard. For me, the real dream is creating lasting impact and connections through art.
© Alice Burnhope
And a quick-fire 5:
Any upcoming projects of note that you can discuss (other than Echoes of Migration)?
Yes, beyond Echoes of Migration, we’re preparing for a major milestone: the first edition of the Art Voyage Biennial. In 2026 we will be introducing our inaugural Artistic Director and the selected artists, alongside exciting projects such as Tapestry of Voices and Symbiotic Vault in Istanbul. It’s the beginning of a truly global journey, and we can’t wait to share more — stay tuned!
What have been the most rewarding moments of your career thus far?
The most rewarding moments for me have always been those where art creates genuine connection, whether it’s seeing an underrepresented artist find their voice on an international stage, witnessing communities come together through a public art project, or building platforms like Art Voyage that give visibility to stories that might otherwise be overlooked. Knowing that these initiatives spark dialogue, inspire others, and leave a lasting impact is what makes the work truly meaningful.
What’s the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is simple but powerful: “Stay true to your vision, but always remain open to collaboration.” It has taught me that while conviction drives progress, it’s the partnerships, generosity, and collective energy around an idea that allow it to grow and flourish.
When not working on your artistic projects, where would we most likely find you?
Outside of my projects, I love immersing myself in conversations with artists and communities, whether at cultural events, talks, or traveling to art fairs and biennials. But inspiration also comes in more personal ways: spending time with my daughter, dancing tango, or discovering new places and cuisines while traveling. Those moments of playfulness and exploration often spark ideas just as much as formal meetings do, reminding me that creativity thrives in every part of life.
What do you love about London?
What I love most about London is its endless capacity for reinvention and its extraordinary cultural diversity. In a single day, you can journey across the world, through its art, food, and communities, and still discover something entirely new. That constant layering of histories and voices is what makes the city so inspiring.
The Echoes of Migration Summit is a one-day event taking place on Friday 10 October 2025. Tickets are available via artvoyagebiennial.org.uk
