Our gallery changes views and starts
conversations, and that is a wonderful
outcome for all Australians.
You have dedicated your career to Indigenous art.
What considerations go into selecting the works and the
artists represented in your galleries?
As we have been in the industry for over 30 years, most of the artists
we deal directly with, we have been dealing with either themselves
or their family members for 20-30 years. This is a privileged
position and one we take very seriously. We also work with 15 - 20
Government Art Centres, some of which support 100’s of artists.
These relationships with art centres are long standing and
highly valued.
Selecting works is complicated as there are several considerations in
doing so. Like many things in life, the longer you do something - the
better you get. My eye for art has matured over my career and seems
to serve me well.
How does Sorrento Contemporary connect with the local
community and engage visitors from the Peninsula and beyond?
As we are a relatively new space we are continuing to engage with
the local community and the region. We recently donated a painting
to the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club 2024/25 Fundraising
Campaign and we are also an enthusiastic partner of the newly
formed Sorrento Galleries Campaign, whereby the 9 galleries intend
to work together to promote Sorrento as an art precinct. We will
continue to forge new relationships and support local causes when
opportunities present.
What’s on the horizon for Sorrento Contemporary?
We intend on conducting specific exhibitions representing high
profile artists who we feel suit the gallery and location. One such
artist is Kate Constantine, whose works have been very popular at
Sorrento Contemporary since our opening. Kate is a proud Gadigal
woman of the Eora nation and a neo-contemporary Indigenous artist.
She is re-imagining the traditions of her peoples’ dot painters and
providing a modern narrative for all Australians to better understand
First Nations People as part of the fabric of Australia.
February 2025
In Focus Magazine
10