The Pearl Lam Podcast | With Alimi Adewale & Maria Bojan

In this episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl Lam is joined by artist Alimi Adewale and curator Maria Bojan for a conversation on art, authorship and the complexities of the global contemporary landscape. The discussion examines the Western tradition of “art for art’s sake” and the expectation that artists must occupy fixed positions within cultural discourse. Together, they question the role of taste in shaping art history and address the persistent “fetish of authenticity” that continues to frame how non-Western artists are perceived in a global context. The conversation also considers what it means for artists from China, Africa, Europe and beyond to engage with one another outside imposed narratives — focusing instead on artistic strength, intention and shared creative language. A dialogue on cultural exchange, critical frameworks and the shifting structures of the art world today.