Title

Mossenson Galleries 25 Year Anniversary.

Author

Mossenson Galleries

Publication date

3 July 2018

Type

Exhibition review

Language

English

Country of context

Australia

Full text

Mossenson Galleries 25 Year Anniversary

Mossenson Galleries began trading as 'Indigenart' on 3 July 1993 in Subiaco near Perth’s CBD by Dr Diane Mossenson and her husband Dan. Being one of Australia's leading commercial galleries, it exhibits the finest art produced by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian artists.

The Mossenson’s motivation in establishing Indigenart was partly to fill a void, as there was no gallery in Perth dedicated to an exhibition program of high-quality Indigenous artworks, and also their desire to expand the audience for Australian Indigenous artwork via exciting innovative exhibitions supported by informed writing and an education program. Diane, who has run the gallery since its inception, has perpetuated this pioneering attitude into the range and styles of artwork that have been exhibited. Not content to follow the pack she strove to exhibit challenging, innovative and exciting artists, rather than merely already established painters. Mossenson Galleries soon became defined as a trailblazing epicentre for the exciting emerging Indigenous art movement.

The past two and a half decades reveals a litany of first solo exhibitions from artists who in many cases have gone on to define the Australian Indigenous art movement. With a keen eye for emerging talent, Diane has worked tirelessly to promote community art centres – from established centres like Papunya Tula Artists and Maningrida Arts and Culture – through to emerging centres like Minymaku (Tjala), Kalumburu, Iwantja, Papunya Tjupi, Waralungku and Milingimbi. But it is as a mentor and advisor to artists that Diane has found the greatest fulfilment. In so doing she has steered the careers of artists such as Shane Pickett, Brian Robinson, Ngarra, Loongkoonan, Lucy Ward and Omborrin as well as guiding some of them from their very first painting through to the completion of their final works. In addition focused projects for artists, including major commissions, print projects and overseas exhibitions have been facilitated in large measure.

In 2006, Mossenson Galleries expanded its interests to include non-Indigenous artists, by holding major exhibitions for artists including Col Jordan, Graham Kuo and Jason Cordero amongst others. Mossenson Galleries' stable of non-Indigenous artists reflects a continuing engagement with inspiring and important artwork.

Mossenson Galleries' innovation and trend-setting has been acknowledged by both public institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Art Gallery of Western Australia, which regularly source works from it, as well as overseas institutions.

Artists from Mossenson Galleries have been included in major institutional exhibitions such as Culture Warriors: The National Triennial of Indigenous Art, (National Gallery of Australia), South By South West (Art Gallery of Western Australia), Crossing Country (Art Gallery of New South Wales) and Tarnanthi (Art Gallery of South Australia).

In 1998, the Mossensons opened a second gallery in Fremantle, followed by a gallery in Carlton in 2003, which relocated to Collingwood in 2007. Naomi Mossenson became director of the Collingwood Gallery.

In 2009, Diane, together with Stephen Nall and James Makin, two other gallerists in the Collingwood area, initiated the formation of the Collingwood Arts Precinct, which comprised a hub of leading galleries in the locality exhibiting Australian contemporary art.

The Mossensons established the Mossenson Art Foundation in 2010 with objects which include publishing, supporting scholarly research of art practice, encouraging artistic endeavour and preserving cultural heritage. The Foundation has published two significant monographs to date: Ngarra the texta drawings and Shane Pickett Meeyakba.

In 2013 Diane and Dan were responsible for the formation of Art Collective WA, a not for profit incorporated association with a membership base comprising artists. This initiative provided a platform for the many senior and mid career Western Australian artists who had lost their exhibiting galleries as part of the widespread Perth gallery closures in the years which preceded. Five years later, the Collective is thriving, exhibiting their member artists’ works nationally and internationally, as well as publishing its artists’ monographs.

Mossenson Galleries has witnessed and been part of an exceptional period in the evolution of the Australian art industry. Diane, Dan and Naomi Mossenson at this special time thank all who have supported them during the past 25 years whether as audience or artist.

Mossenson Galleries’ significant anniversary is a time for reflection on both the past and the future by its proprietors. The continued association with numerous individuals who began their careers within the gallery and who have gone on to become significant forces within the Australian and international art scenes remains an ongoing particular pleasure.

After a quarter of a century, the Mossensons remain committed to making a difference in the art scene as they plan forthcoming projects, initiatives and publications.

115 Hay Street, Subiaco, Perth, Western Australia 6008 T: + 61 0 413802899
www.mossensongalleries.com.au

Last Updated

11 Oct 2020