Australians Ursula Sullivan, 43, and Joanna Strumpf, 42, made quite the splash in June last year when they opened their gallery Sullivan+Strumpf at arts enclave Gillman Barracks – it’s the first Australian gallery in Asia (a surprise, given Singapore’s relative proximity to the country).
Australians Ursula Sullivan, 43, and Joanna Strumpf, 42, made quite the splash in June last year when they opened their gallery Sullivan+Strumpf at arts enclave Gillman Barracks – it’s the first Australian gallery in Asia (a surprise, given Singapore’s relative proximity to the country).
Photo Nikki To.
It was a matter of being at the right place, at the right time. The Sydney-based duo have been coming to Singapore every year since they first exhibited at the inaugural 2011 Art Stage, and when they went to Gillman Barracks’ popular Art After Dark party in 2013, it was love at first sight.
Golem Effect by Alex Seton (2016), Fameg Bentwood chair, Pillsborough Green, Wombeyan nylon digital print, steel and string.
“We were amazed by this hub of art galleries set within such a lush environment – there really is nothing like it anywhere else – and when our favourite location at Gillman became available last year, we pounced.”
Meno’s Paradox by Alex Seton (2016), Fameg Bentwood chair, Wombeyan.
Make no mistake, these ladies are no amateurs, but major players in the Australian art scene (their original Sydney gallery has been in business since 2005). While they represent a diverse group of artists, the pieces they display are often visually provocative. Like the realistic lifesized human sculptures by Australian artist Sam Jinks. It’s January’s mustsee: The high-profile sculptor is the gallery’s anchor artist this month and presents his first solo exhibition in years, showcasing brand new works.
Babies by Sam Jinks (2013),
silicone, pigment, resin,
human hair.
The duo plans to put up a total of eight shows in Singapore this year, with the exhibitions changing every six to eight weeks. And what of including Singapore artists (currently absent) in their roster? The jocular women say that anything’s possible.
Performance artist Hiromi Tango at Art Basel Hong Kong 2016.
Golem Effect & Meno’s Paradox Photos Jasper Yu.
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