GALLERY: RED

BY LACHLAN JOBBINS

“Sydney isn’t short of artists. It’s short of spaces.”

That’s the word from Allison O’Sullivan, curator of Gallery Red, which opens its doors on Glebe’s gallery strip on July 25th.

O’Sullivan, who studies Art Theory and Administration at COFA, is excited to be involved in setting up a venue that supports new and emerging artists. “I spend a lot of time around young artists, and there’s a kind of ‘catch-22’ when you’re starting out: You need experience to exhibit at most galleries ‘ but you can’t get experience without having a show.”

For the opening exhibition, RED, she approached nearby universities, colleges and art schools, and targeted local artist networks. She was surprised to receive submissions from as far as Avalon and Penrith. “It’s clear that there are far more artists than venues available,” she says. The directors of Gallery Red aim to help redress that balance.

The opening show will feature about 12 artists and 20 works ‘ ranging from paintings to textiles, prints, sculpture and jewellery. Artists include Carolyn McKay, Zoi Papatheodorou, Matthew Syres and JD Reforma.

Future plans are for a mix of gallery and artist-curated exhibitions. The second show, Urban, opens on August 15.

Glebe has traditionally been a hub of artist activity, but with the Blackwattle studios development and the rent hikes in recent years, it’s been more difficult to find spaces for artists to exhibit. Gallery Red will complement the existing spaces ‘ Gallery Adagio, the Glass Artists’ Gallery and GIG Gallery ‘ which operate nearby on Glebe Point Road.

“Galleries are one of the few areas where different businesses can work in synthesis. The more galleries in an area, the more visitors ‘ everyone wins.”

O’Sullivan says Glebe has an interesting population mix of both artists and buyers, making it a great space for this kind of project. “Where Paddington-Woollahra is increasingly the realm of established artists, areas like Glebe and Newtown are where they emerge.”

Gallery Red aims to give artists the chance to build a profile (and a portfolio of shows), and provide a stepping stone to bigger things.

“It’s about helping young artists make a living from what they do,” she says. “The more time they have to practice their art, the more refined they become.”

Gallery Red
Shop 11, 131-145 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4

RED exhibition opening July 25, 6-8pm
9692 0030 or www.galleryred.com.au