One of Queensland’s oldest arts organisations, the Royal Queensland Art Society (RQAS), has partnered with a Brisbane business to modernise how corporates interact with art with the launch of a new satellite gallery.
In an Australian-first, Brisbane-based communications agency, Bespoken, has transformed their new office into a satellite gallery spotlighting local artists.
This unique collaboration brings art into the heart of corporate Brisbane, celebrating the city’s creative talent in an unexpected venue.
What is a satellite gallery you may ask? It’s a small, mobile exhibition space used to showcase artists and their latest pieces to new audiences.
Bespoken’s Managing Director Sarah Morgan, an art enthusiast herself, first conceptualised the idea over a casual conversation with RQAS Chair Brent O’Neill at a work Christmas party in 2024.
As typical with Brisbane’s business community, Brent quickly introduced Sarah to RQAS Director of Gallery Operations Kate Bounas, who was also looking for new ways to shine a spotlight on Brisbane’s diverse creative talent.
“This exciting new venture features works from a range of RQAS members, with the goal of growing, strengthening and promoting the fine arts in a professional environment that’s inclusive, diverse and supportive of our local community,” Kate said.
Currently, the spotlight is on Brisbane-based artists Alan Innes and Wayne Singleton, who have poured their hearts, and a combined 60+ years of creative experience, into four collections. The works were inspired by their everyday lives in and around Brisbane, featuring iconic places, shops and cafes from Paddington, New Farm and Annerley, as well as landscapes from the region.
Throughout the exhibition, new local artists will be rotated into the space, with their works displayed in the office and open for viewing by invitation or appointment.
“This exciting partnership is a new way to celebrate the incredible creativity we have in Brisbane, while also injecting more creativity in our new workplace. It’s a win-win,” Sarah said. “It’s a privilege to showcase the work of artists like Alan and Wayne in our office and to collaborate with a like-minded organisation who shares our vision for raising the profile of great Brisbane talent.”
Talking of talent – Alan has contributed two collections for the exhibition’s debut, featuring drawings inspired by Brisbane as well as his trip to Penang, Malaysia, with the Urban Sketchers Brisbane group.
He said his pieces use a variety of mixed media techniques to showcase the hidden gems of Brisbane that have personally inspired him.
Wayne also contributed two of his pieces, titled ‘Where the Tweed and Oxley Rivers Meet’ and ‘A moment in Beechmont’. His main artistic focus lies “in the Australian landscape, where I like to sit and observe what’s in front of me.”
Trained early in his career by master Yugoslavian and German refugee artists, Wayne was mentored in traditional techniques by experts in their craft.
He now hopes to trigger memories and associations in his viewers through traditional 15th-century European ‘Silk-Cut’ and block print techniques which have been applied to Australian landscapes that have captured his interest.
To learn more about this exciting collaboration between one of Queensland’s oldest art organisations and Bespoken Agency, or to view the works in the firm’s dynamic new office space, contact hello@bespokenagency.com.au.
