- Insiders Profile -
Founder of Her Clique
Izabela Depczyk is the founder of Her Clique, a contemporary gallery and curated art platform dedicated to championing both emerging and established artists from around the world. Originally launched in New York and now based in Lisbon, Her Clique was born from a desire to create greater visibility and opportunities for artists while building meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and audiences.
Through thoughtfully curated exhibitions and collaborations, Izabela has created a platform that goes beyond the traditional gallery model. Her Clique is as much about storytelling, community, and cultural dialogue as it is about art itself. By bringing together artists working across different mediums, backgrounds, and perspectives, the gallery continues to contribute to Lisbon's growing reputation as one of Europe's most exciting creative hubs.
With a strong international outlook and a passion for discovering and nurturing talent, Izabela has established Her Clique as a space where art, conversation, community and connection naturally intersect.
◆ What inspired you to create Her Clique, and what gap did you feel was missing in the art world at the time?
Her Clique was the result of my many years of working in the industry and seeing the disparity in representation between male and other artists – be it Queer, cultural minority, or female artists. 2020 also happened to be the year of the pandemic, when, due to travel restrictions and curfews, a lot of funding was cut off for artist spaces and cultural initiatives, so we felt we had a mission to support those artists whose shows got cancelled.
◆ If you had to describe Her Clique in just three words, what would they be?
Inclusive, Curated, Audacious.
◆ Her Clique was originally founded in New York before finding a home in Lisbon. What drew you to the city, and how has Lisbon influenced the evolution of the gallery?
Having a physical space was always the goal for us. We started Her Clique in New York, and just shortly after the pandemic hit, hence why we soft-launched online only. Since COVID was happening in waves, whenever restrictions were being temporarily lifted, we would organize pop-up events or short-term exhibitions in different venues and locations around the world.
Eventually, we decided to pursue the original plan of having a physical space that would allow us to fulfill our mission of community-building in earnest. I was drawn to Lisbon because I believe the art scene in Portugal is vibrant, ever-evolving, and very international. It felt that way from the beginning, and it continues to grow, so we are just very grateful to be a part of it and very humbled by the warm reception for all that we do here.
◆ As a curator, what immediately captures your attention when discovering a new artist?
There is a set of criteria that I consider when curating an exhibition. It is of paramount importance to be able to see the works in real life, and not just online, before deciding if I want to approach an artist. It is also great, whenever possible, to actually meet the artist in person, to really understand their creative process, ambitions, and professional journey.
Having said that, it is as much our decision as it is the artists choosing us back. It’s an honor for us to work with the artists that we do, and we love that the process of choosing specific works for the show is always a very collaborative one.
◆ Her Clique is dedicated to supporting female artists. Why do you believe initiatives like this remain important today?
Her Clique is dedicated to supporting all marginalized artists; our decision is not driven by their gender but rather by the opportunities they may not have access to for various reasons. We are all about uplifting the community and giving voice to those who may otherwise be sidelined or silenced.
◆ Looking back at the exhibitions you've curated so far, is there one project or artist that holds a particularly special place in your heart?
With each exhibition, we are exploring a theme or topic which we believe is pertinent to the overall discourse - be it social, historical, environmental, political, and so on. They are all important, they are all different, and I hope our visitors can connect with each show somehow on a personal level.
◆ Lisbon has become an increasingly important destination for artists, collectors, and creatives. How do you see the city's art scene evolving over the next few years?
Lisbon has a vibrant and diverse art scene. There’s a lot of creativity, particularly stemming from the design and crafts traditions of Portugal, which I enjoy seeing crossing over into fine art as of lately. It is still a fairly small art market, but it is expanding, with more artists and collectors relocating here, with new generations starting to collect at much younger ages and redefining the art industry.
◆ What has been the biggest lesson you've learned from building a gallery and creative platform from the ground up?
Building an art business means you’re not just out there enjoying art but also doing so many things that go into curating and producing exhibitions – drafting contracts, discussing inventory, planning, counting, contemplating logistics, shipping, mounting, packaging, etc. A lot of people assume it is just all fabulous and glamorous, and sure, parts of it are. But there is so much more that goes on behind the scenes to put together these shows that can be quite challenging.
Having said that, some of my favorite interactions have been with artists, collaborating with them, watching them work, learning from them, getting inspired by their authenticity and creativity – it’s what I love and what makes it all worth it for me in the end.
◆ As a Lisbon Insider, what would be your perfect 24-hour Lisbon itinerary? We'd love your recommendations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a drink.
My perfect day in Lisbon starts with breakfast at Solo in Campo de Santa Clara, from which it’s a short walk over to my gallery, Her Clique in Alfama. Then a visit to the Gulbenkian, I love this museum and the surrounding garden. After a short stopover at Under the Cover, which has a great selection of art magazines and books.
Then I would meet up with friends in Praça das Flores and grab lunch at Magnolia Bistrot. Then walk down to the design district and pick out some vintage pieces for my home. In the evening, walk through Jardim da Estrela, into Lapa, which is my favorite part of Lisbon, have dinner at Skizzo, and then wrap up the day at some cute small bar like Vi’s.
◆ Finally, what exciting exhibitions, collaborations, or projects can we expect from Her Clique next?
We recently launched the Summer Art Residency program, which has been very successful. We are currently hosting the second artist in residence – Amadeusz Pucek – and will hold an open studio for them on August 6 to showcase what they are working on. Please join us for that if you are in Lisbon!
I am also looking forward to our Autumn group exhibition titled Tender/Tender, which will feature a group of artists who explore what happens when softness and pain become indistinguishable, when care leaves marks, when bodies, objects, memories, or relationships become “tender” because they have been touched, overused, abandoned, adored, or injured. The show will feature Marie Tomanova, Johanna Bath, Emma Currie, and others.
