Architerior talked to Terri Lew, the Gallery Director of 19 Karen Contemporary Art Space in Queensland, Australia, who shared some thoughts on running a gallery, both the difficult and the exciting parts of it.

Tell me a bit about your art career – how come you ended up at this gallery?

I started this gallery after retiring from a small publishing business in tourist publications. I wanted to keep working so that I don’t get bored as I get older and at the same time do something that I love. I have been collecting art for over 25 years and was married to an artist for 20 years.

What is your favourite part of your work?

To discover new artists. Emerging artists from all over the world. I just love looking at art! Good art!

According to you, what is the most difficult thing about running a gallery?

To build a client base. Sell art. There are many art galleries around the world, many good artists around the world but not as many art collectors. Art is a luxury item to most people and there is just so much money to go around and be spent on art.

Richard Blundell, Agostino Iacurci

Are there any art styles that inspire you extra much?

I love detailed work. Realism, photo realism and surrealism. But I also love Expressionism, figurative, Abstract, portraiture, street art, urban art.  It all depends how the art itself speaks to me. If I look at it and I feel emotions, happiness, excitement, eagerness to own it, then I know it is good art.

How do you find new artists?

Many hours of research on the internet, art books, exhibitions, travel around the world.

Jared Fountain, Janine Daddo

Do you have any dream artists that you would like to represent or art fairs you would like to be a part of?

Yes, I would but my gallery is still growing and some of the artists I would like to have may not have the audience in Australia, not yet anyway. I am still working on it. As far as Art Fairs are concerned, I would love to be part of Scope but at this stage of my life, the logistics of doing art fairs is too much for me. As I said earlier, I started this gallery for something to do upon my retirement from my previous business. Doing art fairs would put me back into stressful lifestyle which I can’t afford to have.

Finally, what do you think makes a gallery successful?

Hard work, good eye for art, a healthy variety of artists, switched onto the trends and lots of exposure!

www.19karen.com.au

Instagram: 19karengallery