BEAUTIFUL FORMIDABLE FORCE

AARTCATTO IS so much more than a gallery. Room after perfectly-proportioned room carries the work of internationally recognised painters and sculptors, displayed to tell a story, present a theme, speak of the originator’s mindset.

Gillian Catto, the woman behind the arthouse that attracts key names who want to be part of the ArtCatto story, is an international name in her own right. She studied art in Paris at the École de Beaux Arts, which fed her appetite and appreciation of talent, skill and originality. And she was the owner of The Catto Gallery in London for 32 years, which she steered to become one of the most successful contemporary art galleries in the capital.

From her London base, she launched many a career,

Opposite page, top down: O Gringo; Jonty Hurwitz; Nimrod Messeg; Mario Henrique. This page: Dom Pattinson; Pedro Guimarães; Carole Feuerman sculpture. On the wall: Silvio Porzionato including that of Jack Vettriano who, as a result, became a household name. And exhibiting the work of celebrities who had taken up art, such as Tony Curtis and Tony Bennett, she gained widespread media attention for the gallery.

In 2008, Gillian moved to the Algarve bringing her passion for art into an new arena. She opened an elegant short-term pop up in Quinta do Lago – more out of curiosity than anything else – to see what opportunities might exist for the artists she represented. And it was evident, from the start, that there was an audience here of keen collectors interested in the best.

Finding a permanent home for her gallery was the next step. But not a difficult one. “Loulé is the most culturally interesting town in the Algarve,” she says, “and one with a vibrant café society feel. This beautiful old red building was exactly what I wanted; it was love at first sight. And that love deepens every day, every week, every year. Seven rooms and an office in the 140m2 property, I couldn’t have hoped for more.”

But it is the art itself, and the ArtCatto artists, that have created this gallery and its international reputation. Gillian has no interests in trends; her heart is in recognising talent, and backing those with a unique vision.

In 2012, when the Conrad Algarve was no more than a concrete shell, an architect’s dream yet to be realised, Gillian forged a relationship with the man who would be its first general manager, Joachim Hartl.

Together they focused on the works of art that would form the personality of the interior of the new hotel, and the partnership has remained a vibrant contributor to its environment, with the gallery responsible for staging at least three major exhibitions each year – events which are attended by around a hundred guests, some travelling great distances, even across continents, to see the latest offering from ArtCatto. And the same big numbers are present at the new show openings at the Loulé gallery, which herald the arrival of the latest collections.

In 2013, Frederic Ponte joined the ArtCatto team, and in 2019, Gillian and Freddy were joined by Raquel Costa. The threesome work tirelessly to ensure every detail is perfect, and that every artist represented is of the finest calibre.

These are artists who get attention, from the media as well as the buying public, and whose work commands the highest prices and sells worldwide to an international audience.

The gallery’s portfolio, currently of 43 painters and 19 sculptors, includes:

Charly Palmer

Colin Fraser

Craig Alan

Dom Pattinson

Erika Toliusis

Gustavo Fernandes

Jonty Hurwitz

Jürgen Lingl

Luo Li Rong

Mario Henrique

Nimrod Messeg

O Gringo

Pedro Guimarães

Rogério Timóteo

Shen Ming Cun

Silvio Porzionato

Thomas Bossard

Tommaso Ottieri

Voka and most recently the sensational street pop artist, Mr. Brainwash.

The new show at ArtCatto opens on 29 June and features works by Mr. Brainwash, Charly Palmer, Rogério Timóteo, and Gustavo Fernandes. Visit artcatto.com for regular updates

The criteria the team apply before adding a name to the books is complex. “There are so many key requirements,” says Freddy. “They must be of the finest quality from a technical standpoint; they must work well with the other artists we already represent; they have to be well established and know where they are in their art journey; they must stand out creatively in every respect.”

Ask Gillian what rules, the heart or the head and she’ll explain in simple terms: “ ‘I love it’ is the heart; ‘will this sell?’ is the head. So, they work hand in hand.”

What about favourites artists? “It’s impossible to have just one,” says Raquel. “There are different artworks that touch us in different ways. We love every artist we represent, and despite the rational elements of the selection process, one simply can’t neglect the emotional connection.”

And favourite galleries elsewhere in the world?

For Gillian it’s the Frick in New York; for Freddy The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid. For Raquel, it’s a difficult decision. But art lovers here, and serious collectors who invest in their passion, Loulé is one of the top choices.