Showcase Gallery will officially open in Darlinghurst next month, providing one of the few avenues in Australia that
supports creative professionals wanting to develop their artistic profile.
The gallery is designed to boost the exposure of creative’s personal work and prompt deeper thought on cultural
assumptions regarding the division of art and advertising.

The Showcase Gallery Launch Exhibition (26 July – 13 August) features personal pieces by the highly and
internationally regarded photographers Mark Mawson, Chuck Bradley and Nicholas Alan Cope, designers Bianca
Chang and Terry Chisholm, and art directors Paul Meates and Jed DePyper.

From the illustrations of Three Drunk Monkeys art director Jed DePyper to Chuck Bradley’s preference for beautifully lit
photography, audiences will see an interesting departure from what these professionals are commercially recognised
for.
Showcase Gallery Director Kellie Nichol-Smith explains the ethos behind Showcase Gallery:
“The work produced by these creative’s is quite diverse and highlights a need to return to their artistic roots.
“The space validates and calls to action that artistic and creative impulse which often gets lost as they forge ahead with
their commercial careers.

“I’ve always been fascinated with advertising and art and how one can inform the other. I want to encourage creative’s
to get in touch with, and develop, their artistic side. There’s so much talent and insight within the industry and it
deserves to be on show and celebrated.”

The gallery’s location, in an artistic hub of Darlinghurst, stays true to its celebration of grey areas – it’s right at home
within Desk Space, a managed office space for creative’s that encourages commercial collaboration.
“When I saw Desk Space, I could see it fitting in well with where I wanted to take the gallery,” Ms Nichol-Smith said.
“It makes the space more a destination for exchange rather than a strict white box.”

Paper artist Bianca Chang, who worked for Frost Design before becoming a freelance designer, praised Showcase
Gallery for bringing a much-needed collaborative space to the Australian creative community.

“The gallery’s concept is original and creates a meeting ground where ideas can be exchanged through a growing
network of peers,” she said. “I originally developed my art practice to appeal to other graphic designers – Showcase will help me to
broaden my reach. I believe Kellie has the experience, network and general know-how to be able to
communicate with and understand the motives, background and artistic desires of an artist, with a
design mode of thinking rather than a fine art one.”

Photographer Mark Mawson said Showcase Gallery encouraged a perspective toward art and creativity that exists
internationally but has been missing from the local scene. “I’ve had lots of interest in my personal work from international galleries but not a lot in Sydney, there seems to be something missing here,” Mark Mawson said. “Having gallery representation in Sydney is important and will help develop a presence for my work in Australia.”