Founded by Philippa Mahnel and Lucca Schopmeyer, ARTPERITIVO is a next-generation online art gallery for modern and contemporary art, striving to make curated art accessible, empowering artists by providing a space for their voices to be heard. Now based in Lisbon, we met in our Cais do Sodré store for a talk.
Can you tell us your story and why you started Artperitivo?
We met in Lisbon 3.5 years ago, and our inspiration to start Artperitivo came from our shared passion for art. Coming from creative and business backgrounds, our main motivation was to create a new and innovative way of making art more accessible and fostering an inclusive environment free from the constraints of the traditional art market. Our aim is to provide a platform where emerging and renowned artists converge, enabling both first-time buyers and art enthusiasts to easily discover and acquire the perfect piece of art for their individual taste and budget. While we do not have a permanent physical space, we hold regular physical exhibitons. As we are both located in Lisbon, many activations and exhibitions are happening here. In general, along Portugal, we are operating in the DACH area.
What would you like to conquer next?
We officially founded Artperitivo one year ago, at the beginning of 2023, and all our next steps are aligned towards making art more accessible. For this year, specifically, we have more group exhibitions planned, solo exhibitions, educational panels, exhibiting with our own booth at art fairs, and numerous corporate partnerships. Our main focus lies in growing our portfolio of promising international artists and operating beyond Portugal and the DACH area, extending across all of Europe.
Being an online gallery gives us the flexibility of operating in different places with physical pop-up exhibitions and ultimately broadening our range of collectors and our community beyond physical boundaries.
What are your favorite spots in Portugal?
We both really enjoy the urban, vibrant life that Lisbon offers with its amazing people, cultural offerings, creative energy as well as the beauty of the river and the light. However, we also love to explore the diverse nature around Lisbon and the country. We particularly love the Sintra and Colares area, with its fairytale forest and magical beaches. Out there, we can draw so much inspiration.
What band or artist inspires you?
As two female founders, female artists are naturally a significant source of inspiration for us. We recently hosted an all-female exhibition showcasing works by three wonderful artists—from Portugal, the UK, and the Netherlands. Strengthening female artistry is important to us. An artist that personally inspires us is photographer Nadine Ijewere, being the first woman of color to ever shoot a cover of Vogue and who drastically fosters diversity in the creative sphere. However, our focus isn't solely on female artists. While our last exhibition was all-female, we strive to create an equal portfolio, maintaining a 50/50 female/male ratio within our artist portfolio.
What does style mean to you?
Style plays a significant role in both our private and business lives. It can be found anywhere, whether in everyday life, in fashion, architecture, design, or especially art. It's the interplay between form, expression, and perception—a unique way of communication without using the beauty of eloquence. Style and art can completely transform perceptions, curating environments with pieces that change the conception of a room from the ground up, creating immersive spaces that reflect inner worlds and invite viewers into a dialogue of renewed angles and perceived notions.
Visit the online gallery to explore all artworks at www.artperitivo.com
Photography by João Hasselberg.
Philippa and Lucca wear
JACKET CANVAS IN PURPLE
JACKET CANVAS IN BLACK
