Sydney, Australia is set to welcome a profound addition to its art scene as A Secondary Eye announces the launch of a new gallery space nestled in the arts district of Woollahra. Opening its doors on Friday, 3 May 2024, this new venture promises a fresh perspective on Australian Indigenous and contemporary art.
Founded in 2020 by Jesse-Jack De Deyne, a seasoned specialist in the secondary market for Australian Indigenous art, and Boris Cornelissen, formerly of Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong, A Secondary Eye has quickly established itself as a key player in the art world. Their focus on developing the secondary market for art and collectibles in Australia has led to the exhibition and sale of works by prominent artists like Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Sidney Nolan, and Fred Williams, among others. The gallery’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with several pieces entering the collections of Australia’s most prestigious art institutions.
Strategically located in Queen Street, a spot historically linked with the crème de la crème of secondary market art dealers, the new gallery is poised to continue its tradition of excellence. The inaugural exhibition will shine a spotlight on Rover Thomas, a luminary and trailblazer in the Australian art landscape. Known for his significant influence on the East Kimberley school of painting, Thomas’s works are lauded for their modernist abstraction and profound connection to ancestral land and Indigenous life.
The exhibition, titled “Rover: Master of the Kimberley”, marks the first solo presentation of Thomas’s work in Sydney in nearly two decades. It will showcase a selection of his creations from the 1980s and 1990s, many of which have never been displayed publicly before.
Boris Cornelissen reflects on the significance of the gallery’s move to Sydney, noting the privilege of establishing their first space in such a historically rich location. Meanwhile, Jesse-Jack De Deyne emphasizes Rover Thomas’s unparalleled impact on the Australian art market and expresses hope that the exhibition will reignite interest in this monumental figure.
“Rover: Master of the Kimberley” will be open to the public from Friday, 3 May, until 14 June 2024. This exhibition not only promises to be a significant event for art enthusiasts but also a pivotal moment for A Secondary Eye, underlining its dedication to celebrating and preserving the legacy of Australian art.
For further information about the gallery and the upcoming exhibition, please visit A Secondary Eye.