“So many of the great art dealers from history were the ones who partnered with the artists, became their friends, and built their careers together,” says art dealer and co-owner of Piermarq gallery, Justin Callanan.

Callanan and business partner Rob Russell started Piermarq as an art consultancy 10 years ago. The duo, who launched the gallery on a quiet Paddington corner in 2016, have relocated to a vast warehouse in Surry Hills, opposite Nomad and Tio’s Cerveceria.

“This location is so exciting,” says gallery manager Brittany Piccuirro. “We’re looking forward to collaborating and hosting artist dinners with our neighbours Pellegrino 2000 and Nomad.” Pecurrio brings impressive credentials to her role – she previously worked at influential galleries Gagosian in London, which has worked with Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami among others, plus Marlborough Gallery in New York, one of the most established high-end galleries in the city.

The warehouse space, which has century-old wooden beams, has been transformed into a museum-quality art gallery by builders JF Projects (The Shop and Wine Bar, Fella Swim) and polished concrete gurus Concreative. Bespoke wall washer lights from Est Lighting flood the space in clean bright light.

Exhibition openings will be held every three weeks, but don’t expect any run-of-the-mill gallery-opening plonk. “We like to drink really good wine,” Callanan says.

While the gallery’s stable is a mix of international and local artists, Piermarq places a focus on bringing overseas talent to Australia.

“We really wanted to open a gallery to support emerging artists, and to go on the journey with them,” Callanan says. “We soon learnt that our interests lay in a broader world, and that there was opportunity, and interest, to bring visual language from around the world to Australia.”

Italian artist Cosimo Casoni, US-based Doug Argue, and Californian Ben Crase are some of the international artists represented by the gallery. Perhaps their best-known artist is Melbourne painter Jordy Kerwick, who began his career with Piermarq before being picked up by Vito Schnabel in New York. Kerwick is now the most sought-after Australian artist in the global market, and commands record-breaking prices for a young Australian artist. He’s also the youngest person in the top 10 highest-earning living Australian artists at auction.

“Some of the artists we work with are starting to see some very real success,” Callanan says. “And that helps introduce other artists who are on a similar track.”

Adam Cullen: Why We Live In Groups, a retrospective of work by the late Australian artist and Archibald winner, runs until July 23.

Piermarq 23 Foster Street, Surry Hills

Hours: Mon to Wed 10am–5pm Thu to Sat 10am–6pm Sun by appointment