Ben Apfelbaum

MICHAEL COMMERFORD GALLERY : A NEW GALLERY FOR THE INNER CITY

Michael Commerford aka Vayu in his studio
1 want to help by Vayu
Fountain Grass by Reni Kung
Power Luge by James Corbett
Wall Light by Reni Kung
Scrub Turkey by James Corbett

A new gallery has sprung up in Oxford Street between the Art Hotel and Berkoleow bookstore in Oxford Street Darlinghurst.

Gallery owner Michael Commerford spent many years as a gallery proprietor situated on Edgecliff Road prior to his Darlinghurst move.

The Michael Cummerford Gallery is unusual in that it displays the works of only three artists. This is very different from the usual paradigm of a Gallery which is a revolving door for artists, usually on a monthly basis.

The three artists are vastly different but highly proficient in their artistic skill sets.

Michael Commerford paints under his spiritual name Vayu.

His paintings are of animals with a witty phrase below complimenting the accompanying creature.

The second artist known as Reni Kung produces beautiful sculptures shaped as cubes with patterns encased in perspex by different flowers.

The way light refracts through perspex boxes also inspires Reni in relation to her wall art where eerie and beautiful shadows are projected from a light source through a patterned shade. 

This aspect of her work has been a success for her in the commercial sphere adorning, among other things, restaurants, and an architectural award winning home.

The third artist that is permanently displayed is James Corbett.

His sculptures are ingeniously created using the spare parts of cars. From these discarded relics he fashions whimsical sculptures such as a chameleon, a rooster, a mozzie, a racing car driver, to name but a few. 

Because he appeals to both sculpture lovers and motor vehicle aficionados means that his works are highly sought after. Corbett has had several successful overseas exhibitions.

The works of all three artists are highly accessible and beautifully executed.

A visit to this highly unusual and unique Gallery is strongly recommended.

Gallery details:

Michael Commerford Gallery

21 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst (close to Berkoleow bookstore)

Gallery Hours : Thursdays to Sundays between 11am and 5pm

Email : michael@mcgart.com.au

Website :  http://www.mcgart.com.au

Featured image : Wall Light by Reni Kung. pics by Ben Apfelbaum

 

 

Published by Ben Apfelbaum

My photography began when my father handed me the proverbial brownie box camera as a child. As cameras developed I went through Fujica and Olympus range finders graduating to my first single lens reflex camera, the Minolta SRT101, the latter being the greatest facilitator to my growth as a photographer. Digital photography has only added to this. I was a regular contributor to Camera Craft magazine (Australian Camera ) for over three years. During Australia’s Bicentennial year (1988) I made it a personal project to document the celebrations. This culminated in the creation of a book of my photos which was published in 1989. The book was called CELEBRATING AUSTRALIA and came with an accompanying calendar. My works have appeared in a number of publications including the coffee book entitled MY AUSTRALIA (1989), publisher Robertsbridge Severn. This book had a preface by the then Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke. I was a co-photographer on a book entitled SYDNEY- DISCOVER THE CITY with text written by Robert Treborland. Major Mitchell Press was the publisher. Also for two years I was the photographer for calendars celebrating Sydney’s multicultural communities. The two calendars were entitled MULTICULTURAL SYDNEY. My work appeared in a group exhibition held at Sydney’s Town Hall pertaining to the diversity of life in South America to raise money for orphanages there. I have over one hundred photos stored in the New South Wales State Library archive. I had a solo exhibition held in 2007 entitled Ben’s Lens at the Sydney Jewish Museum which celebrated the vibrancy of the Sydney Jewish community. Some of these photos are on the Museum’s permanent display. I have exhibited internationally firstly at the Spruill Gallery in Atlanta Georgia, united states, and in an exhibition entitled Kosher and Co at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. Currently I am a regular contributor to J-Wire and this esteemed publication.

One comment

  1. Thank you Ben for a very well written and appetising article. Reni Küng

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