Installation view of Abdul Abdullah, (Left) Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; (Middle) Where the clouds are far behind me; (Right) Where trouble melts like lemon drops, 2019, manual embroidery made with the assistance of DGTMB Studios, 150 x 120 cm (each)

The first gallery from Southeast Asia with a permanent presence in Australia, Yavuz Gallery Sydney will continue the strong curatorial program established by the gallery in Singapore since 2010. It will be the gallery’s second permanent space.

This new chapter aims to provide a platform to showcase Southeast Asian artists while broadening and continuing the gallery’s existing ties to Australia and New Zealand.

The Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which it stands, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Can Yavuz, Founder and Managing Director of Yavuz Gallery

Yavuz Gallery Sydney represents the fulfilment of the long-held dream of founder Can Yavuz to return to the city that has inspired him for more than twenty years. Since late 2013, the gallery has participated in every edition of Sydney Contemporary, Australia’s premier art fair, building and widening its network across Australia and New Zealand. Over the past six years, the gallery has showcased art from Asia in Australia and vice versa – presenting Australian and New Zealand artists across numerous exhibitions in Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta and Shanghai. Yavuz Gallery now represents leading Antipodean artists such as Abdul Abdullah, André Hemer, Julian Meagher and Caroline Rothwell in Asia.

Abdul Abdullah in front of his painting Contested territory, 2019, oil on linen, 161 x 480 cm

Yavuz Gallery Sydney’s inaugural exhibition, which opened on 14 September, presents new works by critically-acclaimed artist Abdul Abdullah. Entitled Contested Territories, the solo exhibition presents large-scale paintings and embroideries that examine the concept of ‘the journey’ as an obstacle to be overcome on the way to an ultimate destination. This new body of work explores the aspirations of those traversing from where they are to where they want to be, and speak to an imagined utopia and the difficulties and challenges the disenfranchised face along the way. Whether a journey of personal or societal development, or the physical journey of a boat across an ocean, Contested Territories examines the shared resilience and common desire to live a fulfilled life. The exhibition is on view until 31 October 2019.

Yavuz Gallery Singapore, 9 Lock Road, #02-23, Singapore 108937
Yavuz Gallery Sydney, 86 George Street, Redfern, NSW 2016 Australia
www.yavuzgallery.com