Philosophy/Biography

Rozita Shay has been a vital part of the New York art scene for 35 years. She began her career in 1988 as an assistant at Soufer Gallery in New York, rising to director in 2000. Her passion for decorative arts has led her to art collecting, with a deep appreciation for how art shapes lives. Through her travels, she connects most with the artistic spirit of local artisans—Persian weavers, silversmiths, and African potters—whose craft is a living ceremony rather than an institutional pursuit. Much of her career has been dedicated to building her clients’ Post-Impressionist and German Expressionist collections while introducing photography and ceramics wherever possible. Through ArtFactor, she collaborates with artists and collectors to curate spaces where art is the focal point—whether a Japanese pot, an antique rug, a contemporary photograph, or an artifact of pleasure, each piece becomes the heart of the design.