ABOUT
ARTEREAL
Melding ideas, both new and old: Artereal was created to provide an experience of contemporary art as you have not experienced it before.
“I’ve always wanted to harness the inherent transformative qualities I see in contemporary art and create a destination that shifts the lives of those inside as they experience the transcendent, the captivating, the emerging.”
Luisa Catanzaro – Artereal Founder, Art Collector & Philanthropist
For more than 19 years Artereal has been known for showcasing the work of rare, expansive, and illuminating artists at the cutting edge of contemporary art practice.
With a strong stable of emerging, established and significant multidisciplinary artists, the Artereal Gallery program represents a vivid cross-section of contemporary Australian and international art. Indulging our own perpetual curiosity for undiscovered artistic talent, Artereal also features a changing line-up of guest artists whose work offers a mesmerising experience.
Within a beautifully restored, 1890s heritage fire station, resting at the heart of Sydney’s Rozelle, experience consciously curated, magnetic, even magical shows. For collectors and the culturally curious, harness an unparalleled opportunity to discover, to feel and to own a truly moving experience of contemporary art.
Come. See.
Experience.
Artereal.
The Team
LUISA CATANZARO
FOUNDER AND OWNER
Having collected contemporary art for over three decades, Luisa Catanzaro is an avid and respected patron and champion of Australian contemporary art. With the establishment of Artereal Gallery in 2006, Luisa realised a long-held dream of one day opening a commercial gallery which would allow her to make a significant and long lasting contribution to the Australian cultural landscape.
With a strong focus on foregrounding the work of emerging, established and significant artists, and encouraging a wide and varied range of disparate curatorial voices, Luisa has created Artereal to represent the changing face of contemporary commercial galleries in the twenty first century.
“Artereal was envisioned as a gallery for people to witness the way in which contemporary art can transform perceptions, attitudes, and emotions; a space where art can transport you into another world; a place that has the power to shift our understandings of the human experience.”
Driven by her belief in the arts, and her generosity of spirit, Luisa is the benefactor who has made Artereal’s existence possible.
NOULA DIAMANTOPOULOS
NON-EXECUTIVE ADVISOR
Responsible for encouraging holistic business practices which integrate a wide and varied gamut of emotionally-intelligent philosophies, Noula’s behind-the-scenes role with the gallery is to act as a rich resource and support for the Artereal team.
Bringing to Artereal a strong foundation of business wisdom and experience as a practicing psychotherapist, Noula is the go-to person for the Artereal team when they need a daily dose of inspiration, an injection of creativity and a fresh perspective when it comes to problem solving.
“Art can change us. Whether practiced, collected or simply experienced, art changes the way we see, think and therefore live in this world.”
RHIANNA MELHEM
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Injecting a dose of entrepreneurial spirit, creative thinking and an all-consuming ardour for contemporary art into Artereal, Rhianna manages the artistic direction and curatorial vision of the gallery.
A part of the family since 2010, Rhianna works closely with the gallery’s artists, advocating for them and supporting their artistic visions. As part of her role she co-curates the gallery’s physical exhibition program with colleague Barbara Dowse, whilst also curating and presenting the online exhibition program.
Through The University of Sydney, Rhianna holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Art History and Theory. Her studies here awarded her the respected role of Collections Officer for the University of Sydney’s Art Collection. Following graduation, she worked for commercial galleries across Sydney and as an arts writer for various contemporary art publications.
From 2019-2022 she was also Company Secretary and on the Board of Director’s for Australian Art Events Foundation, the producers of the long running festival Art Month Sydney. From 2020-2022 she was also an Artistic Advocate for Milkcrate Theatre in Sydney. Alongside her Artereal role, Rhianna currently sits on the MCA Next Committee for the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
“For me the magic of Artereal Gallery is grounded in the fact that we are committed to showcasing only that which truly excites us. When searching for artists to work with, I look for art which captivates the imagination, reshapes our understanding of contemporary artistic practice, illuminates important issues and timeless ideas, and evokes powerful emotional responses.”
BARBARA DOWSE
CURATOR
Barbara Dowse is Artereal’s doyenne of Contemporary Art, having worked with Artereal since 2007. A trusted authority in the Australian contemporary art world, Barbara is heavily involved and fundamental to the direction of the gallery’s exhibition program and future.
Barbara is a strong curatorial voice and, working alongside Rhianna, develops the curatorial program for Artereal while also mentoring its represented artists. As part of this role, Barbara is also instrumental in mentoring and overseeing the Gallery’s other curatorial projects.
Barbara studied Fine Arts and Art History at the Australian National University, and has over 35 years experience in the Australian art industry. She brings to Artereal a wealth of experience from various past roles with public collections including the Parliament House Art Collection and the National Gallery of Australia, and as an institutional curator, art consultant and valuer, working independently and for respected commercial galleries.