Art confidence is changing our taste in art

WORDS JENNIFER ENNION

The market for vibrant, textural, statement artwork is booming on the Central Coast and beyond as residents become more confident about buying art to add to their collection. As the art scene moves beyond the wealthy investor stereotype to the everyday Aussie, Central Coast residents are also investing in higher quality pieces that stand the test of time, and placing more value on art in general. These aren’t just local trends.

KAB Gallery co-owner Kerry-Anne Blanket says the contemporary art landscape is changing Australia-wide, and there are several reasons.

‘People have noticed through Covid that there are a lot of blank walls [at home] and they are looking for those nice feature pieces,’ Kerry-Anne says.

There’s also a move away from disposable prints and ontrend artwork, possibly as a result of becoming more conscious consumers.

‘Even Millennials are looking for more quality work that’s going to stand the test of time,’ she says.

There has also been a spike in the popularity of vibrant colours, while textural artwork continues to be a big hit, and buyers – local and otherwise – are more confident.

‘When I opened the gallery, I could see there was a clear gap in that communication to buyers, so I knew I wanted to have everything visual, I wanted to have everything open, have everything approachable, easily accessible. It’s really important,’ Kerry-Anne says.

KAB Gallery has one of the Central Coast’s prime retail positions, on a sunlit corner of Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, opposite the region’s most touristy beach. As such, it’s not unusual for someone to stroll off the beach and into the inviting gallery to peruse the modern collection.

‘We do have people buying paintings in their cozzies,’ KerryAnne says with a cheerful laugh.

At the same time that contemporary art is becoming mainstream, the Coast’s art scene is blossoming. Not only are we seeing local councils and local business owners investing in public art projects from the likes of popular Long Jetty artist Grant Molony and his creative mates, but there are now pottery workshops with companies such as Centered Ceramics (Umina Beach), Paint and Sip classes to celebrate special events (or just because it’s nice to do), and pop-up driftwood sculptures created by the talented Pete Rush along our beaches. As for paintings, people are favouring landscapes and still life over portraiture as artists become more liberal with their interpretation of the genres.

One of KAB Gallery’s stand-out artists is Sally West. Hailing from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Sally specialises in impasto seascapes and you’ll occasionally see her set up in Terrigal painting plein air. Impasto is the practice of adding thick paint and brush marks to works, giving them extra dimension. It’s a popular style. As for themes, Kerry-Anne predicts art lovers will be looking for positive paintings this spring and summer. Likening it to a spring clean, she says buyers are influenced by the seasons, so if they’re out and about at the beach they will purchase fresh and light art reflecting their mood. When that time comes, KerryAnne has one main tip: Avoid the pressure to stay on-trend and buy something you’ll love for a long time. CHECK OUT THE COAST’S ART SCENE AT:

KAB Gallery, Terrigal: kabgallery.com Bay Gallery, Ettalong: artstudioscooperative.org Art Gallery on Palm Beach: artgalleryonpalmbeach.com/ Gosford Regional Gallery: centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/recreation/ venues-and-facilities/galleries/gosford-regional-gallery Bouddi Peninsular Arts Trail, Usually held in October: facebook.com/bouddiartstrail Bouddi Society Arts Show, Wagstaffe Hall, Usually held in October: bouddisociety.org.au Bobbie P Gallery, Terrigal: bobbiepgallery.com Toukley and District Art Society Gallery, Gorokan: toukleyartgallery.com.au/gallery