19 Karen Contemporary Art Gallery

19 Karen Contemporary Art Gallery is a substantial contemporary art space in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast, presenting work by more than 75 Australian and international artists. Its programme spans urban and street art, pop art, expressionism, abstract, realism, surrealism and pop surrealism, alongside sculpture and ceramic art. The gallery also sells original works online and ships throughout Australia and internationally, making it relevant to both casual visitors and collectors looking to take something home.

Current highlights include Easily Amused, a solo exhibition of 14 new works by internationally acclaimed US artist Brian Cirmo. The show considers ordinary moments, gestures and encounters, with paintings intended to reward slower looking and personal reflection. The Director’s Choice exhibition brings together selected Australian and international contemporary artists, while new work by Australian artist Patrick McMahon is showing in Gallery 1. These exhibitions give visitors a chance to see different approaches and styles within the one gallery visit.

The space itself is part of the experience. The 700-square-metre gallery is arranged across six connected exhibition rooms, with quieter alcoves, broad walls and a white warehouse structure featuring high raked ceilings and natural light. The layout allows visitors to move at their own pace, whether they want to focus closely on a particular artist or browse across the range of work. The public can also access director Terri Lew’s private gallery, which offers a more intimate selection of artworks.

Terri Lew founded 19 Karen in 2008 after selling her tourist magazines and pursuing a long-held ambition to support artists from different parts of the world. The gallery initially focused on emerging artists who had not yet been represented by commercial galleries, several of whom later gained wider recognition. That background gives the space a strong collecting focus, but its appeal is not limited to experienced buyers. It suits art lovers, first-time collectors and anyone who enjoys discovering varied contemporary work in an unhurried setting. The gallery holds a 4.7 Google rating from 86 reviews.