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As I reflect on the incredible journey of Artereal Gallery over the past 19 years, the decision to close its doors is a deeply emotional one. Artereal has been my passion, my dream realized, and a place where I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable team and presenting the work of exceptional artists. While the time has come to conclude this chapter, I do so with immense pride in all that we’ve accomplished together. It has always been our goal to create a space that encouraged bold artistic visions, fostered genuine connections, and celebrated the transformative power of art. As we approach the final months, I want to share some reflections on what I hope will be Artereal’s enduring legacy and the impact we’ve made on the Australian and international art world…

One thing that has always been paramount for us at Artereal Gallery is ensuring that every exhibition is presented with the highest curatorial standards. We have been fortunate to work within a gallery space that offers immense flexibility—movable walls, multiple spaces—and we have always embraced that potential, crafting each exhibition with a unique vision. Our aim has always been to present each artist’s work in the most compelling and illuminating way possible. Beyond the visual presentation, we have placed great emphasis on accompanying each exhibition with a curatorial essay or text—something that is far from standard in a commercial context but has meant a great deal to our artists over the years. We hope this legacy endures: a reputation for curating highly considered, immersive, and intelligent exhibitions.

Over the years, we coined the maxim “From emerging to significant,” and I believe that in living by this principle, we have earned a reputation for championing both early-career artists and established practitioners. We are incredibly proud of the many artists whose journeys we have been a part of—those who launched their careers with us, those who found a space to push their practices into more experimental or alchemical territory, and those whose risk-taking we championed when others might have hesitated.

“I hope we encouraged people to be a little braver, a little more curious–leaving each exhibition feeling inspired, uplifted, and illuminated” 

–  Luisa Catanzaro

I believe we infused every exhibition with a rare kind of alchemy. I wanted Artereal to be a gallery where you were always guaranteed to encounter something unexpected and magical—where the ordinary underwent a metamorphosis into the extraordinary. We wanted to create an experience of art unlike any other. With a background in corporate change management and transformation, I encouraged our team to think fluidly, blending old and new ideas, challenging convention, and embracing bold creativity—not just in the art we exhibited, but in how we thought, worked, and curated.

Above all, I hope we are remembered as a gallery that was warm, welcoming, and accessible. It has always been a point of pride that we prioritized relationships—within our team, with our artists, with our collectors, and with the wider arts community. I wanted Artereal to be a space where people didn’t just collect art but felt truly at home in a commercial gallery, where stepping through our doors was an experience of discovery, connection, and transformation. I hope we encouraged people to be a little braver, a little more curious—leaving each exhibition feeling inspired, uplifted, and illuminated.

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