COLLECTIBLE DESIGN GALLERY SALLY DAN-CUTHBERT OPENS IN RUSHCUTTERS BAY, SYDNEY

Set in Sydney’s harbourside suburb of Rushcutter’s Bay, a newly opened design gallery by Sally Dan-Cuthbert specialises in Australian visual and functional art, and collectible design. The first of its kind in Australia, the gallery exhibits a collection of limited edition or one-off design pieces from Australian and New Zealand designers living locally or abroad. These are exhibited alongside artworks by some of the country’s leading visual artists. On show until September 22, the gallery’s first group exhibition presents work from 29 artists and designers including sculptures made from used car parts by Trent Jansen and Johnny Nargoodah, ‘Big Round, Gold’ mirror by Sabine Marcelis, and vessels made from eucalyptus and blackwood by Makiko Ryujin. “I really want to show the excellence of Australian and New Zealand collectable design/functional art and how good our artists in this country are,” Dan-Cuthbert explains. Nestled between Sydney’s Paddington and Potts Point Gallery precincts, the space was chosen for its light and aspect. Neither a contemporary white box nor industrial warehouse, the gallery employs clean lines and a minimalist approach to presentation, occupying a purpose-built exhibition and working space that unites both natural and architectural elements. “Most of us do not live or work in white boxes, so to fully appreciate art and objects, all pieces need to complement each other. It’s a delicate balance and a carefully choreographed dance that needs to unfold between all the elements in a room. It’s the curating of multiple layers of artworks that gives rise to the greatest emotional response”, says Dan-Cuthbert. Having practised as a fine art consultant for 30 years with an esteemed roster of private and corporate clients, the gallery represents Sally Dan-Cuthbert’s shift in focus to include more contemporary design and functional art. Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert will curate and exhibit solo and mixed shows by emerging, mid-career and senior artists and designers, demonstrating the importance of marrying art and design.