When Ieva Navikaite arrived in Mallorca in 2018, fresh out of university, she had no idea she’d soon be running one of the island’s most ambitious contemporary art spaces. In just six years, she’s worked her way up from sales assistant to director of Gallery Red, Mallorca’s largest gallery — a fast-growing hub with 18 locations across Spain and a newly opened space in Paris.

Driven by curiosity, creativity, and an instinct for spotting talent, Ieva has helped shape Gallery Red into more than just a gallery: it’s become a community of artists, where collaborations replace competition and art becomes a bridge between cultures.

In this interview, she shares how she made the leap from Lithuania to Mallorca, what it takes to run a gallery at this scale, and why she believes art has the power to bring people together.

Tell us about your background.

I was born in Kaunas, Lithuania, and completed my BA in Fine Arts at the Vilnius Academy of Arts. I always knew I wanted to work in the world of contemporary art — from a young age, I was drawn to the idea of being part of a gallery or an art fair.

I grew up in a loving and supportive home. My parents, Gailutis Navikas and Laima Navikienė, gave me the freedom to be creative, the space to figure out what makes me happy, and the encouragement to follow my passions. I’m proud of where I come from, and who I am today is largely thanks to them.

When and why did you move to Mallorca?

I first came to Mallorca in 2017 through the Erasmus programme, and it instantly felt like home. I knew I’d be back. In the spring of 2018, just a few days after graduating, I moved here for good.

How did you choose your profession?

Creativity has always run in my family — my mother is a musician — and I’ve always loved design and music. For a long time, I thought I’d follow a professional path in music, but I decided to challenge myself and chose to study Fine Arts instead.

How did your journey with Gallery Red begin?

When I first moved to Mallorca, I was looking for opportunities and found an opening at Gallery Red’s concept shop. I started as a sales assistant six years ago.

Shortly after Covid, I had the chance to join the art gallery team and work closely with Drew Aaron, the owner of Gallery Red and Lionsgate Capital. Of course, I took the opportunity and ran with it, knowing it would be an amazing chance to learn and grow as a professional under the guidance of one of the top contemporary global art collectors. Over time, I worked my way up to become the director.

What does your role involve today?

“Constantly multitasking” is the best way to describe what I do! Running a gallery involves so much — from overseeing the frame shop, logistics, and inventory to daily video calls with artists around the world and curating art in clients’ stunning homes with incredible sea views. It’s busy, but it’s a lot of fun, and the time always flies.

What makes Gallery Red unique?

Gallery Red started as a passion project by a top contemporary art collector, and it’s grown into something truly dynamic. We host collaborations, pop-ups, and events throughout the year and represent a diverse mix of emerging and established artists from around the world.

Our approach is very open-minded and community driven. We carefully select artists whose work inspires us and make sure they support rather than compete with each other, building a genuine community of creators.

How do you choose which artists to work with?

Because art is so visual, we’re first drawn to artists whose work speaks for itself. From there, we explore their concepts and the messages behind their art. We believe in every artist we represent and are committed to building mutually supportive relationships with them.

Today, Gallery Red has 18 spaces across Spain — 10 open to the public — and we’ve just opened our newest space in the centre of Paris. 

What’s the most interesting part of your job?

Every day brings something new. I get to meet incredible artists and collectors, learn about their cultures, and find common ground through art. It’s endlessly educational and deeply human — art has an amazing way of bringing people together.

What are you most proud of?

I’m proud of the wonderful people who surround and inspire me every day — my friends, my family, and the colleagues who’ve become like family. I feel lucky to have so many kind, intelligent, and supportive people in my life.

What are your plans for this year?

My goal for this year is just to keep learning and growing as a person.

And your goal in life?

To be able to look back when I’m older and feel I spent my time on what really matters.