Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery is one of Australia’s most influential contemporary art galleries, located in the heart of Sydney’s Paddington district. Since its inception in 1982, the gallery has been committed to exhibiting cutting-edge contemporary art from both emerging and established artists, both Australian and international.
The gallery is named after its founder, Roslyn Oxley, who has been a prominent figure in the Australian art scene for over 40 years. She opened the gallery at the age of 27, and since then has played a significant role in shaping the contemporary art landscape in Australia. Her keen eye for talent and her unwavering commitment to the artists she represents has earned her a reputation as one of the most respected gallerists in the country.
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery occupies a spacious two-storey building on Soudan Lane, just off Oxford Street. The gallery’s white walls and high ceilings provide the perfect backdrop for the works of art on display. The space is divided into several exhibition rooms, which can accommodate a range of different art forms, from painting and sculpture to video and installation art.
The gallery has a roster of over 30 artists, many of whom are internationally renowned. Among them are Fiona Hall, Bill Henson, Patricia Piccinini, and Tracey Moffatt, all of whom have represented Australia at the Venice Biennale. Other notable artists include David Noonan, Brook Andrew, and Dale Frank.
One of the things that sets Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery apart is its commitment to showcasing emerging artists alongside more established names. This reflects Roslyn Oxley’s belief that contemporary art is a constantly evolving field that requires fresh perspectives and new voices. The gallery’s Emerging Artist Program provides a platform for young artists to showcase their work and develop their careers.
Another distinctive feature of the gallery is its international outlook. Roslyn Oxley has always been passionate about bringing the best of contemporary art to Australia, and she has fostered close relationships with artists and galleries around the world. This has allowed the gallery to exhibit works by some of the most exciting artists working today, from Japan, the United States, Europe, and beyond.
Over the years, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery has mounted countless exhibitions, each one a testament to the gallery’s commitment to showcasing the very best in contemporary art. Some of the most notable exhibitions include Patricia Piccinini’s “The Comforter,” which featured a series of hyperrealistic sculptures that explored the relationship between humans and animals; Bill Henson’s “Untitled 1985-86,” which showcased the artist’s hauntingly beautiful photographs of young people; and Dale Frank’s “The Last Great American Picture Show,” which comprised a series of dazzling abstract paintings.
The gallery has also hosted several group exhibitions that have explored specific themes or artistic movements. One of the most significant of these was “Soft Shadows and Sharp Lines,” which brought together a diverse range of artists whose work explored the intersection of photography and abstraction.
Beyond its exhibition program, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery is also involved in a range of other activities. These include publishing artist monographs and catalogues, hosting artist talks and events, and collaborating with museums and other cultural institutions.
One of the gallery’s most significant collaborations was with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, which hosted the exhibition “Primavera at 25: MCA Collection” in 2016. The exhibition, which was curated by Roslyn Oxley and featured works by 26 young Australian artists, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Primavera exhibition series, which was founded by the gallery in 1992.
In recent years, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery has continued to expand its reach and influence. In 2020, the gallery launched a new website, which provides a platform for virtual exhibitions and online viewing rooms. This has allowed the gallery to reach a wider audience and to continue to exhibit works of art during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another important development has been the gallery’s involvement in art fairs around the world. Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery regularly participates in major international art fairs such as Art Basel Hong Kong, Frieze New York, and Art Basel Miami Beach. This has given the gallery the opportunity to showcase its artists to a global audience and to foster new relationships with collectors, curators, and other gallerists.
Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery has also been recognized for its contributions to the Australian art scene. In 2018, the gallery was awarded the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ prestigious award for best commercial gallery. The award recognized the gallery’s commitment to exhibiting innovative and challenging works of contemporary art and its important role in supporting emerging artists.
Overall, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery is a vital and dynamic presence in the Australian art world. Its commitment to showcasing the best in contemporary art, both Australian and international, has made it a destination for art lovers and collectors alike. Roslyn Oxley’s visionary leadership and her unwavering support for her artists have helped to shape the landscape of contemporary art in Australia and beyond.
