Julia deVille, Bird or Beast Ostrich skeleton, ostrich feathers, mystic spinel, sterling silver, wood, 192cm (h). Courtesy the artist and Sophie Gannon Gallery, Melbourne

A new gallery recently opened its doors in Sydney last month and tonight is their official launch party. MiCK Gallery launches its inaugural exhibition with a group show of represented artists including Nicholas Blowers, Amelia Disspain, Geoff Dyer, Marise Maas, Jessica Tremp, Michael McWilliams, and guest artist Julia DeVille.

The new gallery, which occupies the historic space of 44 Gurner Street, Paddington, is now in its fifth iteration as an exhibition space. It’s been home to galleries since 1976 and is continuing to house contemporary art under director and dealer Megan Dick.

The new gallery will represent both emerging and mid-career artists across a variety of media and practices with a full schedule of solo exhibitions, commencing with Jessica Tremp in November this year.

EXHIBITION:

Gallery Launch Exhibition, until 20 Nov 2011

MiCK Gallery

44 Gurner Street, Paddington

www.mickthegallery.com

Chris Aerfeldt, 2011, Her Dizziness Grew, oil on canvas, 180 x 205cm

For the first time, Helen Gory Galerie is set to exhibit in Sydney this September, which will present a handful of their represented artists: Chris Aerfeldt, Abbey McCulloch, Tim Moore, Luisa Rossitto, Carmel Seymour, Jacqui Stockdale and Lorene Taurerewa.

The group exhibition will highlight the dynamic practices of this diverse group of artists. Their works are underpinned by a sense of contrast and contradiction. Nothing is quite what it seems. Hyper- realism sits aside other-worldliness; the smug certainty of reason and science questions the mythology and spirituality of artistic practice; past and present collide and intersect; and firm lines waiver and blur, in works that are rich with complexity and embodied meaning.

Each artist mines and processes their surroundings, weaves their own story into the contemporary fabric of art history, folklore and culture to explore notions of identity and power.

Each artist in this exhibition has a strong critical and commercial following. This will be Helen Gory Galeries’ first foray into the Sydney scene in its 16 year history of exhibitions, further showcasing their artists on the walls of renowned gallery space MOP.

EXHIBTION

Helen Gory Galerie in Sydney

8 Sep to 25 Sep 2011

MOP Projects

2/39 Abercrombie St, Chippendale

www.helengory.com

www.mop.org.au

Gloria Petyarre, 2010, Bush Medicine in Spring. Courtesy the artist.

Four of the Australia’s most highly regarded indigenous artists have painted on unusual canvasses. The reason; to raise awareness and funds for indigenous students to complete their university education. The canvas; a Nintendo Wii gaming console.

The inspired artworks were painted on eight Wii consoles to benefit the indigenous education programme and charity Shalom Gamarada.   This scholarship programme aims to encourage indigenous students to complete their university education by providing financial support and has succeeded in making a significant impact in lowering the drop-out rate within the indigenous community. This highly important social inclusion aspect of the higher education system is integral to closing the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people in Australia.

Artists include Gloria Petyarre, Emily Pwerle, Gayla Pwerle and Barbara Weir and each of them have created unique artworks on the consoles, each to be auctioned through an online site. The site will go live on 26 February with final bids on 6 March.

The official launch for the virtual auction is Thursday evening 17 February at Kaleidoscope Gallery, Paddington, where each of the consoles will be on exhibition until 23 February.

A unique visual artwork experience, to give a young indigenous a person a unique opportunity.