Sydney has its eye on a new gallery

Woollahra welcomes A Secondary Eye.

Words: Erin Irwin

Sydney’s art scene continues to expand at a remarkable rate, this month seeing A Secondary Eye open its doors in Woollahra. The name of the gallery reflects its aim, with directors Jesse-Jack De Deyne and Boris Cornelissen seeking to use the space to showcase secondary market treasures from Australian and international contemporary artists. The gallery will also have a focus on First Nations art and artists, a speciality of De Deyne’s.

Initially based in Brisbane, A Secondary Eye has now chosen to relocate to an area well known for its secondary market dealers, with Woollahra having once hosted Rex Irwin Gallery, Sotheby’s and Christie’s, and currently boasts auction house stalwarts Bonhams, Shaprio Auctioneers, Leonard Joel, and Smith & Singer. It is a prime location for the gallery to expand on its many successes since its foundation in 2020. Having already set an impressive track record of placing works in public, state and national collections, A Secondary Eye is one for the astute collector to keep an eye on.

The gallery will open the new space with a solo presentation of works by Australian artist Rover Thomas, who is best known for being the first Indigenous artist to represent Australia at the Venice Biennale in 1990. Many of the works have not been exhibited to the public before.

Rover: Master of the Kimberley will run until 14 June at 101-103 Queen Street, Woollahra.

This article was posted 8 May 2024.

Image: A Secondary Eye’s interior, Woollahra. Courtesy: A Secondary Eye, Sydney.

READ MORE

Tjapaltjarri

Tjapaltjarri masterpiece traced to groundbreaking 1974 show

A landmark painting by Pupunya Tula pioneer Mick Namarari Tjapaltjarri is rediscovered ahead of D’Lan Contemporary’s anniversary exhibition.
Catherine Clayton-Smith

Olsen Gallery now representing Catherine Clayton-Smith

The two-time Sulman Prize finalist is known for her emotive and ethereal works, and formidable exhibition history.
Sid Pattni

Michael Reid Sydney + Berlin now representing Sid Pattni

The recent Archibald finalist brings his striking diasporic portraits to the gallery’s roster ahead of a 2025 solo debut.

Abdul Abdullah wins 2025 Packing Room Prize

Abdul Abdullah wins the Packing Room Prize for portrait of Jason Phu as the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman finalists are announced.