As a renowned leader at the intersection of art, technology, and business, Bernadine has spent her career driving innovation in the art world, from co-founding Vastari to leading Arcual, and much more in between. With a deep understanding of how technology can reshape traditional sectors, she brings invaluable insight to Convelio’s mission of transforming art logistics.
Her appointment comes at an exciting time, coinciding with the launch of Convelio’s AI-Powered Art Inventory Management Software. In this exclusive interview, Bernadine shares her thoughts on what drew her to Convelio, the impact of AI on art logistics, and the future of technology in the sector.
Your career spans impressive roles at the intersection of art and technology, from Vastari to Arcual. What drew you to join Convelio’s board at this particular moment?
"Convelio’s founders inspired me from the moment I met them. Edouard and Clement have a refreshing approach to art logistics, a go-getting attitude and a belief that the industry can be better. I share that vision and believe technology is an essential part of that transformation."
Convelio’s launch of the AI-Powered Inventory Management Software signals a major step forward in art logistics. How do you see this innovation shaping the future of the art market?
"When I think about it, it’s amazing this hasn’t been done by a logistics provider before - something so simple is actually very complicated to bring to life. Digitising all the inventory management in a supply chain requires hard work and a pragmatic approach, which can be difficult for the larger shippers who have been in the logistics industry for more time than Convelio.
Everyone is talking about the impact of AI on the industry, and there is a lot of potential for machine learning in art logistics. However, you need to have the right foundations laid out first. Convelio’s AI-powered Inventory importation feature optimises a familiar mundane task.
But further application of AI in this context would be a subsequent step. Managing inventory to clearly determine where things are, who is responsible and what needs to be done next to be compliant and cost-effective is essential before we start automating procedures beyond that."
You’ve often spoken about the evolving relationship between art and technology. What are some unique challenges and opportunities you foresee for Convelio in navigating this landscape?
"The most important thing is trust - and that is about personal relationships above all else. Convelio’s customers must be confident in the chosen approach, and need to feel heard and understood.
Knowing that Convelio interviewed 150+ registrars before launching IMS, sponsored a report on the operations industry earlier this year in partnership with SML and received first-hand feedback on needs of the customer greatly improves their chances with that challenge."
What makes Convelio’s Inventory Management Software different?
"Most other providers use inventory management to link to websites and sales services, while this system focuses on the link to shipment and logistics. When I saw a demo of the product, it all made sense. I recommend that anyone who is interested to understand how this product links with warehouse management, shipment tracking, customs management and monitoring, just schedule a demo with the team."