We're delighted to be holding our first indigenous artworks in conjunction with Nichola Dare of The Gallery Shop in Sydney's Bronte. We talked to Nichola, pictured below, about what to consider when buying art for your home.



How do people react when they come into The Gallery Shop?
They just love the colour and sheer scope of the work we have here. The shop is tiny but is packed full of beautiful art and homewares.  Customers often tell us that they love the shop because it does not feel intimidating like other galleries can. It is affordable and we showcase some of the best indigenous art around.

What do you think is the appeal of indigenous art?
Personally I think the purity and freedom of the work is very appealing to people and the deep connection to 'country' that the artworks have. Art is a very personal journey for people, what I do know is that people fall in love with paintings for many different reasons which can sometimes be hard to articulate  - some paintings I have sold have literally brought people to tears.


Inside The Gallery Shop at 254 Bronte Road Waverley.

How do you source your artworks?  
I now work with a number of community art centres spanning Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia. I try and do two trips a year (my next big trip is in July/August). If I do not source the work from a trip then I will look at images on line from the art centres. I literally look through thousands of paintings however only a handful come into the shop – so I am pretty selective. Each artwork comes with a certificate of authenticity.

How are the artists or communities compensated for their work? 
The community art centres are indigenously owned and run and 100% of the income goes back into the art centres to cover the cost of running the business, paying the artists and any community projects that are running at that time.


Native Seed Dreaming II by Gloria Gill

Do you see indigenous art as an investment?
Yes, an investment in your happiness! Of course there is work that we have in the shop which I would consider investment art, however I am big believer that you should only buy a painting that you love - simple as that.

Do you have any advice for people looking to buy indigenous art?
Apart from buying what you love, make sure that you check the provenance of the work and where the work is sourced from. An ethical gallery should have no hesitation in answering all your questions on provenance.

Finally, do the overnight test. If you wake up the next day and are still thinking about a painting that you have seen then you must just buy it!


Mina Mina Dreaming by Pauline Gallagher

Are there any rights or wrongs to hanging your art?
My only real advice is not to be afraid. Don't always think you need a really big painting to fill a big wall, as often a small beautiful one will have as much impact. Don't hang your paintings too high!

Quickfire questions:

Favourite indigenous artist: Nora Wompi
Favourite colour: Green
Pet hate: Hanging paintings too high
Local secret:  Maria from Haikoo -  best massage in the Eastern Suburbs