about
A consummate arts professional of more than 28 years, with a peer-endorsed reputation and an abiding passion for the visual arts, Catherine Asquith B.A., B.Litt. (Hons)., CVAu, 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$10 to US$25m 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.
Catherine has been a guest speaker at art fairs, industry symposia, corporate events, and webinars, speaking on collection strategies, valuation practices, market trends, and legacy planning. She has served as a judge for contemporary art prizes, advised on Australian gallery presentations for international art fairs, and been consulted for expert commentary in media features on the art market. Catherine’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and public engagement is reflected in her presentation of lectures and participation in panel discussions at art fairs and corporate events, arts industry initiatives, board and acquisition advisory committee membership, and support of university internship programmes.
Catherine Asquith is an AVAA Certified Practicing Valuer (Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia) (the AVAA is a member organisation of the International Valuations Standard Council, IVSC). She holds membership with The Catalogue Raisonné Scholars Association (CRSA), Professional Advisors to the International Art Market (PAIAM), the International Catalogue Raisonné Association (ICRA), London, the Society for the History of Collecting, and the Art Association of Australia and New Zealand (AAANZ). Catherine is also participating in the invitation only Emerging Scholars Forum with The International Art Market Studies Association (TIAMSA), London. Catherine has also held roles as Chair of the Art Acquisition Advisory Committee for The City of Stonnington (2022-2024), assessor with the City of Melbourne’s external assessment panel (visual arts) (2020-2023), member Women in the Arts (AWITA), London (2022–2024), and member and board roles with the Art Consulting Association of Australia (2017 – 2022), and the Australian Commercial Galleries Association (2006– 2013).
Strengthening her art world expertise Catherine is undertaking post-graduate study on collecting practices, provenance and gender at the University of Melbourne, and maintains an ongoing program of independent case study research examining the role and visibility of women within the art market.