Reid bridges cultural gap

Sydney will continue to bridge the cultural gap with Europe through an exhibition showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the Michael Reid Australian Art gallery in Berlin.

The gallery opened in February in Berlin’s central Mitte neighbourhood, joining the existing Michael Reid galleries at Elizabeth Bay in Sydney and Murrurundi in country NSW.

Artists currently exhibiting at the Berlin gallery include Sydney-born Matt Glenn.

“I have been collecting Matt’s works on behalf of clients for some time – Matt is currently living in London – it was only natural therefore that when the Berlin gallery opened that we speak about an exhibition,” said Mr Reid.

“In his current exhibition of New Work, the artist has intervened in found objects. Putting an object such as a brass plate under stress [and] intervening just enough to form beauty out of pressure,” he said.

Mr Glenn was thankful that Mr Reid provided him with an opportunity to show his works within the context of an exhibition.

“I’ve known Michael for a number of years and we have always had a good working relationship,” said Mr Glenn.

“There has been a shift in the work I have produced recently and it was important for me to see this in the context of an exhibition – to know how the works behaved and worked with or against each other,” he said.

“Michael knew this and gave me the opportunity – with new work it is always a risk, for both the artist and the gallerist, but Michael was supportive and I admire that.”

Mr Reid emphasised the importance of sharing Australian art around the world and of nurturing and maintaining connections with Europe and North America.

“It is very important for Australian art to maintain and develop connections with both Europe and North America – these blocks represent over 1.2 billion people in the developed world,” he said.

“Europe in particular has a long collecting history.

“I have a number of German collectors whose families have been acquiring art for close to 230 years – collecting for centuries. They are interested in the new – Australia is new.”