Detail from Leone Gabrielle's "love letter"
In these post-GFC times of threatened double-dip recession, we applaud anyone with the cojones to invest in the arts. And so this month we’re cheering for Olivia Lawson, proprietor of Gallery 34, which launches at 6pm on 30 July. The venue is the old Westpac bank in High St Yea, a building that has floundered a bit since the bank moved out. The classic red brick facade looks like it should be hiding something momentous, and at long last it seems that will be the case.
Olivia’s gallery aims to promote local and regional artists in solo exhibitions which will run for about 4 weeks each. The first artist to exhibit is Leone Gabrielle. Leone has exhibited regularly at shows around the district, winning awards here and there, but we think this is her first solo. Exciting! Her style has evolved over the last few years, and especially recently as a result of her travels north – both in and out of Australia.
We heartily recommend a good long look at Leone’s work while it’s on show – from the 30th and through August – and also hope you can get along to support Olivia and Gallery 34. The more quality art on display in Yea the better, we say!