Galerie B

Quality art galleries are located all over this country, hosting and promoting the works of Australia’s diverse exponents of art. Artist’s Palette magazine showcases a broad selection of these venues. In this Issue, we focus on Balingup’s Galerie b in Western Australia.

- Caroline Lunel

GALERIE B AT BALINGUP

I am originally from Holland where I worked for the Arts Council in Amsterdam. When I came to Australia, I completed a Diploma in Visual Arts Management and worked for a variety of art galleries and arts organisations in Perth for about 15 years.

In 2005, an opportunity came up to buy an empty shop in a small town in the south-west of Western Australia: A town called Balingup. It was the perfect space for a small art gallery/ studio. It was a long-held dream come true.

I felt I was ready to leave the security of a steady job behind and take the plunge into the unknown. As I am a practising artist myself, I know that having your own gallery space gives a real sense of freedom … not having to rely on other galleries and wondering whether they might accept your work.

I knew it would be a tough start, especially in a small town like Balingup. For any gallery it takes years to get established and to find an identity.

I suppose it is a like being an artist … you need to find a direction.

My initial thought was to exhibit contemporary art only, but I realised I was limiting my market and needed to be more flexible and yet maintain a certain standard.

I started sourcing local artists; there are many in the south-west region. Slowly I have built up a stockroom with paintings, works on paper, ceramics and sculptures.

In between exhibitions, I usually show a mix of different artists (including myself).