The James Makin Gallery (JMG) opened its doors at High St. Armadale in November 2003. Initially it traded under the banner of Port Jackson Press Gallery, the exhibiting space of Port Jackson Press Australia (PJPA), the oldest (established in 1975) fine art limited edition print publishers in the country. In 2005 the gallery was re-launched as the James Makin Gallery, as an independent company representing artists who work in a range of mediums, separate to PJPA that continues to primarily print, publish and edition prints throughout Australia.
Today JMG represents a small, yet select stable of Australian contemporary artists including: Eolo Paul Bottaro; Godwin Bradbeer; Alice Byrne; Dagmar Cyrulla; Tamara Dean; Richard Dunlop; David Fairbairn; Jeremy Kibel; Martin King; Jeff Makin; Robert Malherbe; Mitchell McAuley; Milan Milojevic; Adam Nudelman; Ian Parry; Jenny Rodgerson; Luke Sciberras; Gria Shead; Sophia Szilagyi; Wayne Viney, and the Graphics Estate of Fred Williams.
Each of these artists are highly trained and collected by many important institutional, private and public collections nationally and internationally. Most are documented in leading authoritative texts on Australian art. Some such as Williams and Makin have monographs on their work. Makin even has a Boutique hotel named in his honour in East Melbourne. Makin, Milojevic and Bradbeer have also held senior appointments at many of our best art schools including: RMIT University, Melbourne; The Hobart School of Art, University of Tasmania; and the National Art School, Sydney. They bring to this gallery not just their outstanding achievements as major artists, but also successful academic practice that has inspired generations of students.
In 2003 when the Armadale gallery opened its doors the goal was to relocate to a larger more impressive space in about five years. That aim has now become a reality. Five and a half years later in June of this year the new JMG, opens in Collingwood.
In recent years Collingwood has fast become one of Melbourne's busiest Arts precincts, with many Galleries relocating into the area. A dense mix of contemporary art spaces, artist run initiatives, artist studios, cafes and restaurants, Collingwood makes a natural location for the future of the gallery.
The new gallery, located at 67 Cambridge St. Collingwood, is a 300sqm converted warehouse, designed by James Makin, taking influences from travels both nationally and internationally to the worlds best galleries and museums. This facility has: polished concrete floors; diffused natural light from the original sawtooth skylights; the latest in artificial gallery lighting; high ceilings, and large flexible flowing exhibition spaces capable of holding one, two or three shows at once. At the rear of the gallery there is a private client viewing room to allow exclusive previews for collectors, three stockrooms, the PJPA archive, and a kitchen for entertaining and dining.
JMG aims to bring to the greater arts community a highly diverse exhibition and events calendar. There will be major curated solo exhibitions by its stable of represented artists. Talks and forums are also planned.
Our services include: art consultancy to meet your personal, aesthetic and financial requirements; corporate collection creation; commissions; advice regarding collecting for pleasure and/or profit; art auction strategies; art portfolio superannuation planning; resale, conservation, framing, delivery and installation of art work. Facilitating collectors, art lovers and investors alike a chance to meet with the artist to discuss art.
