Think Gold Coast. Think resort wear. Think sun. Think cocktails. Think step-back-in-time.
Thankfully the stereotypes about the Gold Coast aren't completely true. There are wonderful pockets of creative inspiration. A year ago saw the launch of a promising new space built on stars-in-the-eyes hope and passion.
With the pending one year birthday of 19 Karen the curators, Terri Lew and Mariam Arcilla give us a tour through the past 12 months.
19 Karen is about turn one. How would you ideally like to celebrate? Your dream party:
Mariam: I think we are pretty close to that ‘dream party’ – on September 26 we are celebrating our one-year anniversary with a gala involving three amazing new exhibitions (Vitor Dos Santos, Benjamin Reeve, Johnny Romeo), plus live musical guests and a live painting performance that night! The only thing that would make it dreamier is if Sir Elton John flew down especially to see the show and bought every single work, plus grand costumes for everyone to wear!
Our gallery showcase high standard and edgy Australian and International artists, and have hosted art shows, fashion parades and workshops. And down the line will be offering artist residencies! So in a way, it just might be a long-term dream party.
The name of the gallery coincides with the street name, but it is a really cool name. What do you think it evokes?
Terri: Some people thought (and probably some still do) that we are an escort agency. Some people think our individual names are Karen and refer to us as Dear Karen.
Mariam: When we were first trialled names for the gallery, some friends told me ‘19 KAREN’ sounded like pole-dancing bars or teenage modelling agencies, which ain’t far off, considering we are on the Gold Coast. The name is quite catchy, and you can’t get lost on a street address, so it stuck! As Terri said, some people still call the gallery asking to speak to ‘Karen.’
How did the gallery come into being?
Mariam: The gallery sits at the corner of a curious street, next to a mechanic shop, surf factory, dance school and a bike gang headquarters. The space itself used to be a bare warehouse where people parked buses and fixed boats and fences, and was planned for demolition last year.
That is, until I approached the owner Terri Lew asking to borrow the space to hold a pop-up artshow. We then found out that we shared the same passion for the arts and had dreams to open an art gallery dedicated to supporting emerging talent. I quit my job, Terri came out of retirement and we spent the next 3 months transforming what was a ghetto warehouse with no floor, walls or lights, into a unique and fully-functional art gallery. We opened to an 800 strong crowd, and have hosted 19 shows so far. We are still going strong in a city where art is a difficult curriculum to welcome.
What are some of the highlights of the past year?
Terri: To see the volume of people pouring into the place on opening nights, never achieved by any private gallery in the whole of Queensland before. The support from the general community and the feedback about the space has been nothing short of fantastic!
Mariam: As gallery directors, we work closely with our artists to assist with developing, showcasing, promoting and maintaining their arts practice. So a definite highlight from this is having successful exhibitions and seeing our artists do well and wining art awards. It’s also nice to gain the respect and support of peers, artists, and member of the wider Australian art community, as well as having our programs profiled in newspapers, radios and in the media.
How would you describe the verve, mood and personality of your stable?
Terri: Edgy, young and willing, serious about their work, some still need direction, fun to work with.
Mariam: I’d say our artists’ works are refreshing, exciting, sometimes experimental. Our represented artists, such as Vitor Dos Santos, Laura Jones, Justin Lee Williams, Jae Cop, Abigael Whittaker and Rebecca Murphy, are among a new breed of emerging Australian artists whose immense potential is evident at this early stage in their career.
For young unrepresented artists, what are your top 5 tips for success:
Terri: Work hard and get better at it, submit your work for art prizes, share a studio with other artists or do workshops, have a good mentor, listen, watch and learn. Always be open to criticism.
Mariam: If you really want to succeed as an artist you must be determined and pro-active: build a website, maintain it, get used to writing artist statements, build up your CV, send portfolios to various galleries, exhibit as much as you can. Enrol in art courses or art history, read art magazines, art blogs and exhibition reviews so you can recognize trends and discussions in contemporary art.
Become a member of arts organizations (ArtsLAW, Arts Hub and NAVA) to get regular advice and support. Also art organizations are good for showing artists how and when to apply for art prizes, competitions, residencies and other opportunities.
Interact with other artist, be involved in art events around the community, volunteer at art events, gain work experience at various galleries, network at exhibition openings, attend workshops. Artists are insular creatures by nature, but if you don’t get out there and show people what you make how will we discover you?
All these elements go towards a sustainable arts practice!
What are you looking forward to this summer? Both for the gallery and personally?
Mariam: Gallery-wise: to continue promoting and nurturing our artists, to introduce new works to the contemporary art community via high standard exhibitions and art events that excite and inspire.
Personally, to go on a long Xmas break and reflect on the achievements of this gallery for the past year. I haven’t had a chance to re-adjust from this whirlwind year, it’s been non-stop. But it’s incredibly rewarding and a great position to be in, for someone who has always wanted to work in the art industry.
Terri: For the gallery to have arrived at the stage it takes others 3-5 years to achieve. Personally - To have a nice break and come back in the new year with a much stronger exhibition calendar and great projects thrown in for the art lovers and the community at large.
First Year Birthday Opening: 26 September 2009
19 Karen Gallery
19 Karen Avenue
Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
www.19karen.com.au