Curator Name: Catalina Restrepo Leongómez
Residency Dates: April 2024
Born: 1982
Hometown: Bogotá, Colombia
Lives & Works: México City
URL: catalinarestrepoartoffice.com
Education: 2007 | Bachelor in Visual Arts at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá
Bio/Statement:
As the author of the book Artist Portfolio, a pivotal tool for successfully promoting the PUNTAL collection (with a foreword by Felipe Ehrenberg) published by the Javier Marín Foundation, Catalina Restrepo has made significant contributions to the art world. In 2023, Catalina has taken on diverse roles, serving as a guest columnist on the Art Market for Forbes Mexico, acting as a market and strategy advisor for CAM Gallery, and providing strategy advice on social media content for the ICA San Diego. Simultaneously, she continues to work as a consultant for various artists.
Currently, Catalina holds the position of director at Catalina Restrepo Art Office. In 2006, she founded LivingArtRoom with the purpose of promoting the work of professional contemporary artists through comprehensive portfolios. In 2010, she created LARMAGAZINE, an interactive and bilingual contemporary art magazine in app format, showcased in prestigious forums such as ARCOmadrid, Zona MACO, ARTBO, and arteBA. In 2020, Catalina co-founded ArtWorks, an alternative model of a gallery and an incubator in Monterrey. Additionally, in 2015, she launched an educational platform called LARSCHOOL, focusing on the professionalization, promotion, and connection of the local artistic community. In 2014, Catalina developed FOCUS, a program for the professionalization and networking of outstanding artists. This initiative included two conference cycles with international guests, held at the Escuela Adolfo Prieto of CONARTE. The same year, she was invited to participate in the Young Curators Workshop program at the 8th Berlin Biennale.
From 2013 to 2015, Catalina served as a professor at LCI Monterrey University, teaching courses on Self-Promotion and Management in various museums and art institutions across different cities, including the Amparo Museum in Puebla, the MARCO Museum of Contemporary Art in Monterrey, Casa Vecina in Mexico City, and CONARTE in Monterrey. Additionally, she has curated several exhibitions in spaces in Monterrey, Mexico City, and Bogotá.
