Canberra artist and curator Petra Jungmanova is launching PT. Gallery, a new monthly pop-up arts space at Poppyfield Commons in Dickson. Photo: PT. Gallery.
A former nursery building at Poppyfield Commons in Dickson will soon be transformed into an arts hub, giving Canberra creatives a new place to exhibit their work, share stories and connect with the community.
The space will officially open with a soft launch on 5 August, when PT. Gallery debuts with an exhibition featuring artists from Canberra, regional NSW, Melbourne, the Blue Mountains and the United States.
Made possible through Tradies, the temporary community space at Poppyfield Commons will host the monthly pop-up gallery while the site awaits redevelopment. Curator Petra Jungmanova hopes to stage regular exhibitions there until demolition begins, with each opening combining visual art, live performances, food and storytelling.
For Jungmanova, the project is about much more than hanging artwork on walls.
“It’s about creating a place where people feel comfortable enough to stay, have a conversation and discover something they weren’t expecting,” she said.
“I wanted to create a space where art is part of everyday life, where people can bring their children, meet friends, listen to music and perhaps even speak to an artist.”
The Canberra-based artist and curator migrated to Australia from the Czech Republic after graduating from art school in 2000. She says one of the biggest cultural differences she noticed was how difficult it could be for emerging artists to find opportunities to exhibit.
“I know the pain of trying to get into a gallery, being rejected and ignored after submitting an artwork to a competition,” she said.
“Art has become a commercial commodity, and artists are being taken advantage of through ridiculous 30 and 50 per cent commissions and memberships.
“No wonder there is not much original art in people’s homes.”
That experience inspired PT. Gallery, a travelling exhibition space that gives artists, including first-time exhibitors and hobby artists, a chance to display their work without the barriers often associated with commercial galleries.
She said PT. Gallery would remain a philanthropic venture focused on giving artists, particularly emerging creatives and hobbyists, a place to exhibit without commercial barriers.
“It’s like a home away from home, so my wish for PT. Gallery visitors is to feel at home with friends kicking back,” she said.
“There is a kids’ corner with heaps of space outside, all fenced, so this venue is totally unique in its generous, cosy nature, where you can bring your kids, dogs and just hang out.”
One of Petra Jungmanova’s works celebrating Bohemian life and the rich tradition of Czech folklore and storytelling. Photo: Petra Jungmanova/PT. Gallery.
She hopes the relaxed setting will encourage people who might not normally visit an art gallery to come in, stay a while and perhaps leave having discovered a new artist.
Unlike many exhibitions, the opening show has no set theme, reflecting Jungmanova’s belief that creativity shouldn’t be confined by rules. Instead, it brings together artists from Canberra, regional NSW, Melbourne, the Blue Mountains and overseas.
Among them is Blue Mountains fine art photographer Livonne Larkins, whose dreamlike images explore moments of quiet reflection, and Florida artist Monica Foye, whose work examines the ways women have been encouraged to make themselves smaller and reclaim the space they deserve.
PT Gallery. Photo: Petra Jungmanova/PT. Gallery.
PT Gallery. Photo: Petra Jungmanova/PT. Gallery.
PT Gallery. Photo: Petra Jungmanova/PT. Gallery.
Canberra audiences will also see local photographer and illustrator Massimo Montebello’s travel photography and abstract works, paintings by Bungendore artist Kate Bender, landscapes and botanicals by Melbourne artist Cate Neal, and a posthumous collection by Czech artist Věra Červenka featuring collages, papier-mâché sculptures and decoupage.
Jungmanova will also exhibit her own paintings celebrating quiet moments of everyday family life.
The soft opening will include live line dancing, a grazing table featuring local produce and opportunities for visitors to meet the artists.
Looking ahead, PT. Gallery plans to expand beyond exhibitions, hosting storytelling evenings exploring Canberra’s history and cultural heritage, creative workshops and performances, including a classical music recital later this year.
For Jungmanova, success won’t be measured by sales.
“I just want people to walk in, feel welcome and leave having made a connection,” she said.
“In a busy world where many people don’t even know their neighbours anymore, creativity is another way communities can come together.”
PT. Gallery’s soft opening is on Wednesday, 5 August, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Poppyfield Commons. Visit Humanitix for tickets. To learn more about future pop-ups, visit Facebook.
