By: Immy Tariq

Marianne Galasso doesn’t wait for the art world to tell her what matters. She decides for herself. And more often than not, she notices what others may overlook.

“Great art doesn’t always shout,” she says. “Sometimes it whispers. You just have to be willing to hear it.”

That sensitivity is what sets her apart. As the founder of EFAB, a curated fine art platform, Galasso has built a reputation for discovering artists before they gain wider attention — and for connecting their work with the audiences who might appreciate it most. Her approach isn’t about following trends but identifying work with staying power, emotional resonance, and a voice that tends to resonate over time.

Beyond The Obvious

In a landscape driven by likes, hashtags, and algorithm-approved aesthetics, Galasso follows a different rhythm. Her curatorial process isn’t focused on what will sell the quickest or attract the most attention. It’s about what might continue to matter in the years to come.

She looks for presence, not just performance. For emotion, not just polish. For a unique point of view, not just technical skill.

“It’s not just about what looks good,” she says. “It’s about what feels inevitable. What makes you stop and feel something — even if you can’t explain why right away.”

Her selections often include emerging voices and regional talent — particularly artists from Italy and underrepresented communities — whose work carries a subtle but unmistakable energy. These pieces might not always go viral, but they are the kinds of works that linger in a collector’s mind long after they’ve left the room.

The Discipline Of Slowing Down

Galasso describes her curatorial method as “active stillness.” She avoids rushing the process. She spends time with each piece, allowing it to reveal itself in layers. She reads artist statements, asks about process and intent, and studies the work’s context — where it was made, why it exists, and what it’s trying to convey.

“There’s an energy you can’t fake,” she says. “You feel it in your chest, not your checklist.”

This thoughtful approach is why EFAB’s online platform has far fewer listings than many other marketplaces. Galasso filters heavily, ensuring that only the work that truly belongs makes it through. The result is a collection that feels focused and intentional, rather than crowded or overwhelming.

Trusting The Gut, Backed By Experience

Her instincts didn’t emerge without foundation. Galasso has spent over 20 years immersed in art and design, starting with corporate art placements before transitioning to independent gallery curation. Her background in fashion — coupled with her Italian heritage — has sharpened her eye for composition, texture, and form.

“Design trained my eye. Life trained my gut,” she says.

That combination of aesthetic precision and lived experience allows her to make decisions that feel both intuitive and deeply informed. She knows when a piece works — and when it doesn’t — even if she can’t yet articulate every reason why.

Why Missed Artists Matter Most

For Galasso, the art world’s greatest tragedy isn’t bad art — it’s the good art that remains unseen. She’s drawn to the overlooked portfolios, the self-taught masters, and the single parents painting after midnight. These are the voices that often don’t make it to traditional gallery walls, but whose work can transform a space — and a viewer — just as profoundly.

“Some of the best work lives off the grid,” she says. “If I can find it and help it be seen, that’s what matters.”

EFAB was designed to bridge that gap, bringing artists who may not have access to global audiences into direct conversation with collectors who value authenticity over popularity.

The Artist-First Filter

What sets EFAB apart isn’t just the art — it’s the way it’s chosen and supported. Galasso works closely with each artist she represents, often offering feedback on edits, series cohesion, or presentation. She’s part curator, part collaborator.

“I’m not curating products. I’m curating people’s voices,” she says.

That integrity is evident. Buyers trust that an EFAB listing has been thoughtfully vetted. Artists feel seen, understood, and valued. The result is a platform that feels less like a store and more like a gathering place for ideas, beauty, and meaningful dialogue.

Curation As Cultural Work

Galasso believes that our current cultural moment calls for more discernment, not more volume. She’s not interested in adding to the noise. She wants to be a filter, not a funnel. A guide, not a gatekeeper.

“Curation should expand what’s possible,” she says. “Not just reinforce what already exists.”

That philosophy shapes everything about EFAB — from the artists she selects to the way each piece is presented. Every choice is about creating connection and context, ensuring that the work is experienced as more than just an image on a screen.

Listening For The Quiet Voices

The art that most excites Galasso is often the art that doesn’t beg for attention. It may not have the gloss of high-budget marketing or the immediate appeal of mass-market trends. But it has depth. It has something to say. And when you give it space to speak, it speaks volumes.

“Sometimes the quietest work is the one that stays with you the longest,” she says.

With EFAB, Marianne Galasso is demonstrating that a curator’s eye isn’t just about taste — it’s about trust, timing, and the courage to back voices that haven’t yet been amplified. Artist by artist, piece by piece, she’s building a platform where the overlooked becomes the unforgettable.