GAFFA GALLERY

It seems the time has come for Sydney’s long eschewed CBD to open itself to resident hipsters. Oft dismissed as little more than soulless gridlock, there has been admittedly little to draw arty types to the spanking clean metropolis. Sydney is, after all, the city of villages. Thankfully, we are seeing a revival. At the forefront is Gaffa Gallery, now in residence on Clarence Street. “It has been so wonderful to have a whole new audience not familiar with artist-run spaces and so curious about how it all works,” says Kelly Robson of Gaffa. “There is a mind-blowingly amazing emerging arts scene in Sydney… and we knew that the right place had come along.” The premises are expansive, encompassing three galleries, artist studios, a workshop space, and a café, where James the barista serves up quality, Sydney-roasted Golden Cobra espresso. First up for the space is the MCA staff show, an exhibition of Sydney-based The Photo Group, and Mark Vaarwerk’s incredible collection of jewelry. Also on offer is the Arcade Project, which features an eclectic mix of industrial designers Emma Elizabeth and Vert Designs, and artist-stylists bams and ted, who have installed their ode to the history of mystery in the space with characteristic pizzazz. Art, culture, coffee and shopping. Call me crazy, but that sounds pretty hard to beat.

MCA Staff Show until Mar 9, Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence St, Sydney, 9283 4273, gaffa.com.au