Steve Bleakley in front of Farrell and Parkin’s Traces of the Flood: Central Scarred Mountain and Traces of the Flood: Level Mountain Peaks, 2000 Farrell and Parkin are represented by ARC One Gallery, Melbourne and Boutwell Draper Gallery, Sydney
Artbank e-bulletin - May 2008
Artbank’s clientele has grown over the years as Australians have become more comfortable with the idea of renting art. When Artbank started in 1980 most of its clients were government departments and corporations. While this sector has remained as a large part of our clientele, Artbank has witnessed an increasing trend for individuals to rent art for their homes. It seems the flexibility of renting art appeals to individuals who may not be using the same space forever — more transient, they often want to fill an empty space until they find the ‘perfect’ artwork to purchase, or they want to revitalise their living space on a regular basis.
One such Artbank client is Steve Bleakley. Below we visit his newly designed apartment in inner city Sydney.
Geoffrey Cassidy, Director
Method Project — Surry Hills
When Steve Bleakley bought his apartment amongst the warp and weave of Surry Hills’ rag traders he envisaged refurbishing only the kitchen and lounge room. Two years later Steve, with the help of Interior Designer Darren Palmer, has created a glorious living, working and entertaining space.
Steve’s choice of a cool colour scheme — elegant grey furnishings, crisp white interior and flashes of red making extravagant appearances in the shag rug, cylindrical lights and luminous bathroom tiles — meant that his selection of artworks could focus on taste and size. With the abundance of natural light Steve was conscious that artwork behind glass or perspex could cause unwanted reflections but he was prepared to give two massive Farrell and Parkin photographs a feature wall in the lounge-dining area. They look terrific, especially with an elegant free standing lamp arcing into the open space and shedding light to enhance the atmospheric quality of the two photos.
“They’re the show stoppers in this room but I wouldn’t be without the smaller Michael Kutschbach paintings or the Wangarra Spirit Figures by Jimmy Ngalukin and Matilda Pascoe,” says Steve. ”These last two works contribute a tactile quality and effectively separate the bathroom from the living space.”
“One of the best days I have had refurbishing my home was the day I came to Artbank.”
Steve’s whirlwind visit to Artbank’s display room in Rosebery was a perfect melding of his own ideas, Darren Palmer’s artistic eye and styling direction and the richness of the Artbank collection.
Courtney Kidd, Art Consultant
Artbank Touring Exhibition
Artbank’s national touring exhibition Artbank: Celebrating 25 Years of Australian Art has just finished its tour at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery and will open at the Flinders University Gallery, South Australia in early August.
