A former salt depository has become one of Ibiza’s most prominent art galleries after renowned New York-based collector Lio Malca converted the former warehouse into a contemporary arts venue.

Known as La Nave, the 8,000sq ft (743sq m) conversion on the south-east coast of Ibiza – founded by the Colombian-born Malca who also runs a modern and contemporary art gallery in New York – debuted with an exhibition profiling Brooklyn artist Kaws.

“Ibiza has been welcoming people from all over the world, including international art collectors,” said Malca, who privately funded the renovation project and secured sponsorship from companies, including AirEuropa.

“I have been visiting Ibiza for 10 years and from day one wondered how I could give back to the island and La Nave is one of the answers – I felt it was the right time and space to make these pieces accessible to the public,” he continued.

“My vision is to create an exhibition space that aims to not only be a celebration of the artwork it will showcase, but also to celebrate the island of Ibiza itself.”

Aside from its vibrant clubbing scene, Ibiza is becoming somewhat of an arts location, with Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté running an exhibition venue on the island called Lune Rougue, as well as developing Heart Ibiza – a gastronomic concept that combines food with music and art.

In addition, Madrid-based art gallery Parra & Romero is planning a sculpture park in Ibiza to add to its converted farmhouse gallery, which will show works by artists such as Robert Barry and Lawrence Weiner, with planned seminars “contextualising the avant-garde history of the island”.