Conversation with John Cruthers, Director of 16albermarle Project Space.
Tell us about how 16albermarle Project Space came into existence?
In 2013 I attended the first Sydney Contemporary and was blown away by the work I saw at the nine galleries from southeast Asia, and the gallerists and artists I met. I went home and said to my wife that the southeast Asian art was more interesting than Australian art. We started travelling in the region learning about the art and after 5 years we knew enough to start 16albermarle Project Space.
Installation View – Tanah/Land exhibitions, Surajate Tongchua and Maryanto
Could you share one of the most memorable times you’ve had working as a gallerist?
I always really enjoyed helping people find ways into art, whether it’s from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Singapore etc. Mostly the art is lively and people are engaged, but when there’s a little bit of context and information really helps. Once clients start learning, many of them come on our annual art study tours to meet the artists and learn more. We go to Indonesia in June each year, and Thailand in December.
Tell us about the artist/s you’re showcasing at this year’s Fair?
We have six younger and mid-career artists from Jogjakarta and Bali – painter Arwin Hidayat, batik artist Dias Prabu, painter Popok Tri Wahyudi and his partner performance artist and painter Agnes Christina, graphic (drawing) artist Radetyo Itok and printmaker Kadek Dwi Darmawan.
What’s happening next in the world of 16albermarle Project Space?
After five years of being mainly an exhibition space, we are rebalancing to put more emphasis on other activities – art study tours (Cambodia is being added in 2025), art fairs, exhibition development and touring, residencies and representing southeast Asian artists within sectors including interior design, architecture, fashion and public art. We want to be a one-stop shop for people wanting to connect with southeast Asian art.
Mariem Chant, Other Possible Worlds.
Learn more about 16albermarle Project Space here.
