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“Sometimes, the paths we don’t take lead us exactly where we need to be.

Known online as @thejarofsalt, Cherie Altea’s artistic journey began with a missed opportunity to study Fine Arts. Instead, she pursued Psychology—a decision that would later become an integral part of her practice. Today, her work is perhaps best known for the Overthinkers: women with busy minds whose stories unfold through the intersections of art, culture, and psychology.

Having lived in Baguio and later Singapore, Cherie’s work has been shaped by both place and experience. The vibrant colors of Singapore’s Peranakan district continue to influence her distinct visual language, while years of observing people, patterns, and emotions inform the narratives within her paintings.

Since her first sold-out solo exhibition in 2017, Cherie has built an international community of collectors across multiple cities around the world. Her practice reflects a belief that artists can forge their own paths—creating meaningful connections and sustainable careers beyond traditional boundaries.

At its heart, her work is a celebration of self-awareness, resilience, and the many stories we carry within us.”

by RiseSpace Art Gallery

10 Things About Me
1
I received a BA in Psychology from Ateneo De Manila University in 1997.
2
Between 1997 and 2010, I wore many hats: teaching Public Speaking and English, banking, a modelling agency, public relations and food writing.
3
I lived around the Peranakan district of Singapore for 12 years.
4
In 2016, I had my first gallery show when I joined a group exhibit for the annual Art Trek by the Philippine Embassy in Singapore.
5
I had my first ever solo gallery show at 40 years-old.
6
I am a breast cancer survivor and have gratefully been on remission since 2019.
7
I moved back to Manila in 2022 with my dog Jones. He has been my loyal studio manager for 14 years now.
8
For more than 23 years, I have been an independent artist with an international client base across cities around the world, namely: New York, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Texas, D.C., Colorado, Singapore, Koh Samui, Manila, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Vancouver, Atherton, Sydney, Bath, and Bahrain.
9
The internet has been my gamechanger because it allows all creatives to by-pass the gatekeepers of the industry, allowing artists to build a career beyond the limitations of the traditional art world.
10
Ultimately, my work is a reminder that artists who prosper and empower themselves can also empower other artists to empower themselves.