Prominent Sydney commercial gallery, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery, is celebrating the official release of the book on February 14, 2024, with the accompanying exhibition running until March 2.

Curated by the publication’s author and editor, Felicity Fenner, the exhibition aims to offer a retrospective view of the gallery’s history. Displayed artworks and excerpts from the book will be featured, acknowledging the gallery’s role in shaping the careers of both Australian and international contemporary artists.

‘Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery: The First 40 Years’ is published by Formist and provides a narrative guided by Fenner’s perspective. It’s packed with contributions from around 50 figures in the art world, including Bill Henson, Tracey Moffatt, John Kaldor and Djon Mundine, enrich the book. The Foreword by Anna Waldmann and Afterword by Paul Foss complement the publication.

“The launch of our first ever book would not be complete without an exhibition to celebrate the work of some of the most important artists to provide context for the rich melting pot of content within its pages,” says Roslyn Oxley, Founder and Director of the eponymous gallery. “It has been four decades since our inception and we are so proud to invite Felicity to curate this exhibition that brings together the many represented artists that have offered their creativity, experimentation and uncensored ideas.”

Meanwhile, the exhibition line-up, curated by Fenner and Roslyn Oxley, includes paintings, sculptures and photographs. It encompasses works by all 36 currently represented artists, with 20 of them having longstanding connections to the gallery. Some artists, such as Gareth Sansom, Jenny Watson, Dale Frank, Julie Rrap and Geoff Lowe (aka A Constructed World), have been associated with the gallery for over 40 years.

Related: Looking back at the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize 2023

Fenner, also Associate Professor at UNSW, adds: “It was an honour to be invited to author this important publication and curate an exhibition to accompany its launch. Over the last couple of years, it has been wonderful to connect with all the artists and dive deep into the Gallery’s impressive archive, researching what has made Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery such a continuing pivotal player on the Australian and international art scene.” 

Artists from Europe, the UK, Asia, the US and elsewhere have been featured since the gallery’s establishment in 1982. The exhibition, through essays, photography and individual voices, reflects on the gallery’s history and the story of Australian contemporary art.

In addition to living artists, the exhibition also pays tribute to the estates of Bill Culbert, Rosalie Gascoigne, Bronwyn Oliver and Nyapanyapa Yunupiŋu. A library of international books and catalogues featuring Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery artists underscores their recognition in the global art scene.

The book will be officially launched on February 14, 2024, coinciding with the exhibition opening. During the launch event, the book will be available for purchase at a special price of AUD $100. Subsequently, it will be available for purchase at the gallery shop and select bookstores nationwide.

The exhibition and publication provide a retrospective insight into the gallery’s four-decade journey, with a celebratory focus on acknowledging the gallery’s contribution as an advocate for art and artists within Australia and internationally.

Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery
roslynoxley9.com.au

Photography
David Suyasa (gallery)

Next up: Sullivan+Strumpf Sydney with Tony Albert dual exhibition.