MUNTHE ART MONDAY: ROBERTA KEIL

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do.

My name is Roberta Keil, and I am the founder and director of Galerie Roberta Keil. After presenting several Pop-up shows in Vienna and Berlin, I opened the gallery’s permanent space in Vienna’s 7th district in March 2025, while continuing to host temporary projects and events in Berlin.

The gallery is dedicated to fostering dialogue and supporting emerging international artists in Vienna and Berlin by building exchange between the artistic communities of both cities. The gallery’s program focuses on bringing together diverse perspectives through exhibitions, events, and collaborations that address current social issues and cultural phenomena across different media.

We aim to encourage reflection and discourse within our exhibitions and beyond. As an art historian specializing in contemporary art, I previously worked in the auction house Grisebach in Berlin as a specialist for contemporary art, as well as at MoMA and Whatiftheworld Gallery. My motivation has always been rooted in the belief that art thrives through exchange and mutual inspiration. This is something I strive to embody in connecting my two homes, Vienna and Berlin, through the work of the gallery

Roberta is wearing the LOASTA top.

Roberta is wearing the LIBASTO jacket.

Can you name some other female (gallery owners or women in the arts) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

There are many inspiring women in the art world. I’m constantly inspired by the artists I work with – they all have a strong attitude, are ambitious, and never lose their courage. They are hands-on, driven, and deeply passionate about what they do, which makes our collaboration incredibly enriching.Beyond the artists, two women have particularly inspired me even before I started my own gallery. Because personal connections are what inspire me most, I choose to highlight people I truly know and have worked with.
One of them is Diandra Donecker, my former boss. She is an exceptionally generous and successful entrepreneur who leads with openness and respect – she meets people at eye level and never loses her sense of humor even in stressful situations. The other inspiring women is Sandra Espig, an outstanding art historian and art expert, who genuinely lives and shares female empowerment. My conversations with her are always deeply inspiring, and she continues to encourage me through her authenticity and optimism.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

I would want to live in a world where this question would't even be necessary, as I wish to be perceived solely for my work and contributions. But in reality being a woman has of course influenced my career in certain ways. Especially early on, it can bring an added sense of needing to prove oneself. Nonetheless, I try to approach this awareness positively, using it to foster collaboration, empathy, and meaningful connections within the art world.I opened my gallery on March 8, International Women’s Day, which in itself is a statement and shows (my personal) attitude.

What would you like people to notice in the way you work with your gallery?

I would like people to notice a sense of complexity, ambiguity and openness in the way I work with my gallery. Ambiguity, to me, is an essential quality of art. I’m drawn to art that operates on several levels and leaves space for interpretation. Humor and subtle contradictions often play a role as well, as they allow complex or critical ideas to be communicated in an engaging and accessible way. At the same time, I want my gallery to be a space where people feel comfortable and inspired by art, not intimidated by it. It’s important to me that visitors can encounter contemporary art in an atmosphere of curiosity and openness – a place where reflection and enjoyment coexist, and where dialogue can unfold naturally.Art, in my view, should speak to both mind and emotion. It should be thoughtful yet playful, reflective yet full of energy. This kind of balance is what I aim to cultivate in the gallery’s program

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

Being a gallerist also means being an entrepreneur, which requires a lot of work, creativity and also a certain credibility, which you constantly have to work on. But for me, the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts hasn’t been the decision to become a gallerist or to start my own business. In Vienna, there’s a rich history of women running successful galleries, and I’m glad to now see myself as part of that tradition. What has been challenging for me, especially in the beginning, is the feeling that you constantly have to prove yourself, always striving to do more while questioning whether it’s enough.