In 2013, Artereal Gallery participated in our first art fair as part of the inaugural Sydney Contemporary at Carriageworks. Under the direction of Barry Keldoulis, the fair launched with palpable excitement—so much so that, if memory serves, Redfern Station had to be temporarily closed due to the overwhelming crowd of fairgoers heading to the event on Opening Night. We debuted in the Future Contemporary section, presenting works by Stevie Fieldsend, Hayden Fowler, Giles Ryder, Michael Staniak, Anna Carey, Karina Wikamto, Ken + Julia Yonetani, and Liam Benson. Fieldsend’s captivating wood and glass sculptures sold out, as did an early, now-iconic series of paintings by Staniak, while Fowler’s video work was acquired by several major museum collections, marking the fair a resounding success. Above the main section, we also showcased an extraordinary 2-meter-high chandelier sculpted from Murray River salt by Ken + Julia Yonetani, part of their internationally celebrated Still Life: The Food Bowl series, which would go on to tour museums around the world.

As part of the Director’s Choice program, Keldoulis invited artist and psychotherapist Noula Diamantopoulos to present QUEST, an endurance performance running throughout the fair. This interactive project, rooted in relational aesthetics and community engagement, invited participants into a silent, handwritten conversation of questions only. Each interaction unfolded across ten exchanges, prompting individuals to reflect on whether the answers they sought might instead be found in the questions they asked. A quiet yet radical form of contemplation, QUEST challenged our answer-driven society, encouraging curiosity, patience, and introspection. The response was extraordinary—every session booked out, with participants moved by the depth and power of the experience. As a performance artist, Diamantopoulos has a remarkable ability to distill complex emotions into a single, immersive experience—drawing audiences into a space of deep reflection and transformation. Her work left a profound impact, stirring deep emotions and lingering thoughts in those who participated, long after the performance had ended.

More than a decade later, as we prepared for our final art fair as part of Sydney Contemporary 2024, it felt only fitting to close this chapter with a solo presentation of QUEST, returning to where it all began.

“It was the most poetic and authentic way to close this chapter – an embodiment of what we have always believed: that contemporary art, at its best, has the power to challenge, inspire, and move us in ways that linger long after the moment has passed.” 

– Rhianna Melhem

This time, the performance was presented alongside Diamantopoulos’ new neon text works and her first video artwork—each exploring the fluid nature of love, desire, and human connection. Choosing to stage a performance centered on relational aesthetics and emotional depth, rather than commercial appeal, epitomized what Artereal Gallery has always stood for. Under the steadfast vision of Founder and Director Luisa Catanzaro, we have remained committed to creating magic—championing artists and amplifying their voices in ways that transcend conventional market logic.

The response to QUEST at our final art fair left us often on the verge of tears. Though we had not yet announced our departure, we knew this would be our farewell. To come full circle, witnessing how much Noula had grown as an artist and how profoundly the performance still resonated, was a gift we will always cherish. It was the most poetic and authentic way to close this chapter—an embodiment of what we have always believed: that contemporary art, at its best, has the power to challenge, inspire, and move us in ways that linger long after the moment has passed.

After 19 years, Artereal Gallery closed in March 2025. This article is part of the gallery’s ‘On Reflection’ series of essays.