Biography
Senior advisor Hannah O’Leary first joined Sotheby’s in 2005, initially working in the Dublin and Melbourne offices. In 2006 she joined Bonhams in London, where she helped pioneer the first international auctions of South African Art and Modern & Contemporary African Art, becoming Head of Department in 2010. With 10 years’ experience in this field, and having overseen record-breaking sales in both categories, she returned to Sotheby’s in 2016 to lead the growth of this rapidly expanding market.
Under her direction, Sotheby’s has become the global market leader in Modern & Contemporary African Art, achieving more than 200 world record prices for artists including Marlene Dumas, Julie Mehretu, Lisa Brice, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Michael Armitage and William Kentridge.
Hannah works closely with collectors and institutions worldwide, advising on acquisitions and collection development. In 2022 she helped raise over £2 million for organisations supporting African artists, including the Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos; Norval Foundation, Cape Town; the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), New York; and Brandywine Workshop and Archives (BWA), Philadelphia. She also advises on museum acquisitions and international loans, and has served as consultant to the South African National Gallery.
A recognised authority in the field, Hannah has contributed to numerous publications and lectured at major institutions including the Royal Academy, Haus der Kunst, Kunsthaus Graz, Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Pérez Art Museum Miami, and the Venice Biennale. She is a Council Member of the Royal Africa Society and a Trustee of the Norval Foundation.
Hannah holds a Master’s degree in History of Art with Cultural Anthropology from the University of Glasgow.
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