My next step: Galerie 6b
Updated: 2 days ago
I’m currently at a stage in my artistic career where the focus is shifting from the question ‘What do I actually want to paint?’ to how I can develop further and increase my visibility.
Painting is no longer just a hobby, but I’m not yet established enough to be of interest to a commercial gallery. That’s precisely why I’ve taken an intermediate step this year: I’ve joined a young artist-run gallery. And because I found this so exciting and wanted to share it with you, I decided on the spur of the moment to conduct a short interview with Tina Ritter, one of the gallery’s founders.
The gallery, called “Galerie 6b”, is run by two female artists – Tina Ritter from Darmstadt and Rose Marie Modenesi de Broser from Peru:
TR: We both met in a regional artists’ group and realised that we got on really well and could organise projects together very effectively. My artistic focus is on representational painting, whilst Rose Marie’s is on abstract works.
How did you come up with the idea of setting up a gallery?
TR: First of all, we realised that everything is simply easier when there are two of us. This starts with sharing the workload for a project or exhibition and extends to sharing the financial risk involved in an art fair. An artists’ collective would have been an alternative. However, as we hope to make a living from art in the future, setting up a gallery was the right step for us.
In a producer-run gallery, the gallery owners are also artists and represent themselves. The artists can also represent themselves at fairs and build direct relationships with buyers. Many clients tell us that personal contact with the artist is an important and positive experience for them. So every artist contributes a piece to the whole, but also has a say in how and where they wish to present themselves.
And what do artists gain from being part of a producer’s gallery?
TR: I think you have to distinguish between whether the alternative is representation by a commercial gallery or working as an independent artist.
The main argument in favour of this over a commercial gallery is financial, as 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of a work go to the artist. After all, you’re selling your own work. At the same time, however, you have to contribute towards the costs of exhibitions or art fairs.
There are several key reasons against self-promotion alone: representation by a gallery demonstrates to the buyer that you are reputable and professional, which helps to build trust. The shared financial risk at art fairs and the broader access to fairs and exhibition venues is a major advantage for the artists.
In practical terms, this is currently enabling me to take part in fairs and markets that would be too expensive or simply out of reach for me on my own – such as my first art fair coming up soon!
TR: As an artist in a producer’s gallery, doors open that would otherwise remain closed to you on your own. What’s more, the artists share the organisational workload and support one another. In my opinion, the artistic exchange amongst us is also a major added bonus.
In fact, I find this exchange more than valuable. We discuss absolutely everything – from painting techniques to calls for entries and applications, marketing, and so on. Basically, everything I’d originally hoped for from art associations, but which never actually materialised. In return, I can also contribute – including with my design expertise. For example, I created the video for the fair:
Tina told me the following about the gallery’s artistic focus:
TR: We represent art by up-and-coming regional, contemporary artists. The art can be graphic, abstract, representational or even sculptural. As we work closely together, however, the human aspect is just as important as the quality of the artworks – there has to be a good fit so that we work well together on joint projects.
Where does the name actually come from?
TR: Actually, the ‘6b’ comes from the address at which the gallery is currently registered. What’s more, 6b is a wonderful pencil hardness rating ;)
Speaking of addresses – the gallery doesn’t (yet) have any exhibition space. Are there any plans for that?
TR: We’re planning to have a permanent venue in the future and are already on the lookout for a suitable space that we can afford in the long term. Perhaps we’ll set up a temporary pop-up gallery as an interim solution.
When asked what she’d like to achieve with the gallery in the future, she replies with a laugh:
TR: To become millionaires ;) No, seriously – building a loyal customer base and establishing a good reputation within the regional art scene is a good starting point. Looking ahead, we also want to establish the gallery more firmly online to give our artists greater reach. And apart from that, we’re open to whatever opportunities may arise in the future.
Our first joint exhibition takes us to Contemporary Art Ruhr, held on the grounds of the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site in Essen. The thematic focus of our exhibition there explores various perspectives on the theme of time. Whilst I am exhibiting works in which I engage with the present day and increasing digitalisation, Tina Ritter is exhibiting works that seek to capture the fleeting nature and transience of the moment. And Rose Marie Modenesi de Broser is showing works, some of which have been created layer by layer over the course of several years.
16–18 October 2026
Contemporary Art Ruhr (C.A.R.)
The innovative art fair
Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essen
You’ll find us in the Mischanlage/C70 building, on the hopper level – Stand No. 62.
If you’d like to meet me in person, do come by on 18 October!
Exactly one week later, we’ll be heading to FineArts at the beautiful Eberbach Monastery. At the art market, I’ll have the opportunity to present a few “Flow” pieces on the stand of Galerie 6b.
Booth No. 34 - Galerie 6b (at Laiendormitorium)
24–25 October 2026
FineArts
Eberbach Abbey in the Rheingau (Eltville) I will be there in person on 24 October.
We look forward to chatting with you and sharing the stories behind the artworks! Do pop by and experience the art up close, live and in colour! Visit the gallery’s website
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