Tania Doropoulos, previously associated with Frieze London and Anna Schwartz Gallery in Melbourne, along with Matt Glenn, erstwhile director of Sadie Coles HQ, have collaboratively launched a new contemporary art venue in Sydney.
The gallery, named PALAS, is set to open its doors on February 24, showcasing a diverse collection of art with a global perspective. The founders, Doropoulos and Glenn, have articulated their vision for PALAS as a conduit for connecting Sydney's art scene with international realms.
Their ambition is to augment the exposure of Australian artists on the world stage while also inviting international artists to engage with the Sydney art community. The name PALAS stems from a unique confluence of influences, including an interaction between an artist and artificial intelligence, elements of Greek mythology, natural themes, and tarot symbolism. Situated in a converted mid-century factory warehouse in Zetland, an evolving suburb on Sydney's outskirts, PALAS is designed with a dual-level layout, offering exhibition space on the ground floor and facilities for artist interactions and events on the upper level. This structure aligns with the founders' emphasis on hospitality as a core value, drawing inspiration from the Ancient Greek tradition of generous and reciprocal hosting.
With over 20 years of experience in the international art world, Doropoulos and Glenn have curated an impressive lineup of artists for PALAS's 2024 program. This includes notable figures such as Sydney's own Shaun Gladwell, Canadian artist Tamara Henderson, and Ireland's Eva Rothschild. The inaugural exhibition, titled "Nothing Is Universal, Not Even Air," will feature Melbourne-based artist and noise musician Marco Fusinato. This exhibition, marking Fusinato's first solo display since his participation in the 2022 Venice Biennale, will include a selection of silkscreen paintings from a vast archive of images used in his performance at the Australian pavilion.
The founders have expressed a deep connection and enduring relationships with all artists participating in their 2024 program, emphasizing the dedication and rigor that PALAS aims to embody in its representation of contemporary art. The exhibition "Marco Fusinato: Nothing Is Universal, Not Even Air" will be inaugurated on February 24, 2024, at 42 Hansard Street, Zetland, Sydney.