about

A consummate arts professional of more than 26 years, with a peer-endorsed reputation and an abiding passion for the visual arts, Catherine Asquith B.A., B.Litt. (Hons)., is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Catherine Asquith Art Advisory. Operating within the Australian, Asian and International art markets, in both the primary and secondary sectors, Catherine has worked as a consultant and gallerist and now operates as an art advisor and valuer.

After successfully owning and operating her eponymous gallery, which included a program of international initiatives and art fair participation and showcased Australian and international contemporary artists for just over a decade (2003 – 2013), Catherine moved to a more client-facing, advisory role, restructuring her company to service private, corporate and institutional collections. The fundamental vision and principles of practice comprise working in concert with these entities to procure a curatorially sound collection with artistic integrity, enduring quality, market longevity, and ultimately, a legacy.

An extension of the collection management arm of the advisory includes managing high value artwork for blue chip artists on behalf of national and international collections, and UHNW clients of Family Offices and Wealth Management firms. Currently and on average, Catherine Asquith Art Advisory manages a total value of US$50 to US$80m in private sales inventory at any one time.

An added value component of our collection management protocols includes best practice valuations. As a certified practicing valuer, Catherine is qualified to provide informed and up to date appraisals and valuations for a variety of purposes, all of which adhere to globally-set industry standards.  Additionally, we also provide auction agency and representation for clients in the auction arena. Art expertise comprises Australian Modernist, Contemporary and Australian Indigenous Art, East Asian Contemporary Art, and International Modern, Post-war and Contemporary Art.

Frequently endorsed by the market, Catherine has been a guest speaker at symposia on the art market, collections, legacy and investment, a guest judge for various art prizes, and sought for her specialist opinion for feature articles. Other accolades have also included the Agence France-Muséums on behalf of the Louvre Abu Dhabi consulting Catherine in respect of procuring museum quality artworks for the 20th/21st Century collections, specifically works from the Australasia and Oceanic region; and most recently, Catherine was invited by the Royal Commission for Allula to consider the role of CEO for the new museum of contemporary art for Allula, Saudia Arabia.

Catherine Asquith is an AVAA Certified Practicing Valuer (Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia), a member of The International Art Market Studies Association, London, and a member of the Asia Society (Australia).  She has also held roles as Chair of the Art Acquisition Advisory Committee for The City of Stonnington (2022-2024), member of the City of Melbourne’s external assessment panel (visual arts) (2020-2023), member Women in the Arts (AWITA), London (2022–2024), Executive Committee member, Art Consulting Association of Australia (2019 – 2020), Member, Art Consulting Association of Australia (2017 – 2022), Member, Australian Commercial Galleries Association (2006– 2013), State Chair (Vic/TAS), Australian Commercial Galleries Association (2010– 2011), Member of the Board, Australian Commercial Galleries Association (2010– 2011).

Strengthening her art world expertise Catherine is also undertaking post-graduate study at the University of Melbourne, where she is focusing on Australian women art collectors.