A brand-new art gallery dedicated exclusively to showcasing young and emerging West Australian artistic talent is set to open in the vibrant heart of Mt Hawthorn this February. The Oxford Street Gallery will provide a much-needed permanent exhibition space in Perth's increasingly competitive arts landscape, offering a stable platform for artists who often struggle to find opportunities to display their work.
A Family Vision for Artistic Support
The gallery is directed by the dynamic mother-daughter duo Abbey and Lynette Telfer, who bring a shared passion for nurturing local talent. Abbey Telfer, 26, has extensive experience working with some of Western Australia's most prolific galleries and artists. She identified a critical gap in the current arts infrastructure.
"Currently, across the WA landscape, there aren't many spaces available to young, emerging and mid-career artists to show their work," Abbey explained. "Artists are often limited to showing in pop-up group exhibitions, so I am very excited to be offering a permanent space from which they can build their careers and collector base."
Lynette Telfer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the overwhelming response from both the artistic community and Mt Hawthorn residents. "Our community is home to an extraordinary wealth of young, talented artists, and it is a privilege to offer a platform where their work can be seen," she said. "The enthusiasm has been overwhelming, both from artists eager to exhibit and from the local community in its strong turnout for opening night."
Fostering the Next Generation
Artist Annabelle Brockman, whose work will be featured in the gallery's inaugural exhibition, praised the initiative. "To me, this gallery really represents a new wave of artists coming through in Perth," she stated. "It's so refreshing to see a space that prioritises freedom for experiential work while also providing space for meaningful collaboration and community building."
The Oxford Street Gallery aims to be more than just an exhibition space. It will also offer professional art consulting services, assisting collectors, businesses, and organisations in sourcing artworks that suit their specific environments. This service is designed to further support local artists through direct sales and commissioned work, creating a sustainable ecosystem for Perth's creative community.
Inaugural Exhibition and Opening Details
The gallery will officially launch with a free opening night event on Friday, February 27. Attendance requires prior registration due to expected high demand. The inaugural exhibition, titled DEBUT, will run from February 27 through to March 19.
This first showcase will feature the work of 20 emerging West Australian artists, including:
- Rina Freiberg
- Ariel Katzir
- Julia Freiseisen
- Tarad Ceramics
Following the opening, the Oxford Street Gallery will maintain regular public hours, opening from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday. This new permanent fixture in Mt Hawthorn represents a significant investment in the future of Western Australia's artistic talent, providing a dedicated space for innovation, exhibition, and career development in the visual arts.
