30 Years of Arthouse Gallery

Over the past three decades, Arthouse Gallery has distinguished itself as one of Australia's leading contemporary art galleries. Currently representing over forty artists, the gallery celebrates its 30th anniversary this December with a major exhibition that brings together works from its impressive collective.

Founded in 1993 by Directors Ali and Diana Yeldham, Arthouse began in a charming corner terrace in Paddington, Sydney, at the intersection of Elizabeth and Sutherland streets, opposite the Four In Hand Hotel. Designed to feel like a home with its aubergine exterior, colorful walls, and welcoming atmosphere, Arthouse embodied a vision of "Art for the People"- an egalitarian space that welcomed all, offering an alternative to the traditional white-cube gallery. This vision was fueled by Ali and Di's deep passion for the arts and their desire to provide emerging artists with a platform to showcase their work. Di brought her successful background as a fashion retailer, with her well-regarded stores Di Yeldham's Squire Shop in Melbourne and the Squire Shop Sydney, while Ali, who studied Design and Fashion at Sydney College of the Arts, gained valuable experience working in London and Paris with celebrated designers Zandra Rhodes, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christian Lacroix. Together, they formed a dynamic partnership that laid the foundation for Arthouse Gallery.

From the outset, Arthouse featured works by Australian artists across mediums of sculpture, furniture, design and glass, showcasing the talents of emerging artists such as Mark Douglas, Ari Athans, Michael Kemp, Sophie Gralton, Tania Wursig, Jenny Orchard, Sarina Baker, Genola de Jong, Bridgit Thomas, David Herbert, Kate Sayers, Phil Champion, and Joshua Yeldham. With pieces available at all price points, Arthouse was the first gallery of its kind in Sydney. The gallery quickly gained popularity, becoming a dynamic cultural hub that attracted local clients, collectors, and international visitors. In 1995, it was recognized by The Sydney Morning Herald as one of the city's top cultural destinations, capturing the imagination of art lovers far and wide.

As the audience grew, a space that could accommodate larger exhibitions was the next step, leading to the opening of Arthouse Gallery at its current location on 66 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay. The new gallery, housed in a converted wool warehouse and surrounded by car mechanics, smash repair shops, and the Advanx Rubber Tyre Factory, marked a leap of faith for the founders. Nevertheless, their loyal clientele followed, and soon the area developed into a vibrant arts precinct with the arrival of Australian art and design icon Mambo and several other galleries.

Over its thirty-year history, Arthouse has championed the careers of over 130 artists from diverse backgrounds, allowing for a rich array of perspectives and experiences that contribute to Australia's cultural landscape. Women artists and First Nations artists have been key focuses of Arthouse's representation, with women now comprising 60% of its artist stable and receiving equitable recognition for their work.

The gallery has played a vital role in nurturing the careers of celebrated artists such as Belinda Fox, Martine Emdur, Joshua Yeldham, Kate Bergin, Jo Bertini, Danelle Bergstrom and Clifford How. Through a dynamic and evolving exhibition program, Arthouse has promoted a greater understanding and appreciation of Australian and First Nations contemporary art, collaborating with renowned artists like John Prince Siddon, Rosie Tarku King, Naomi Hobson and Lydia Balbal, as well as arts centers including Mangkaja Arts, Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre, The Hermannsburg Potters, and Bidyadanga Art Centre Kimberley.

Operating as a cultural hub, the gallery has engaged the wider community through lectures, concerts, readings, workshops, debates, and performances led by curators, authors, musicians and artists. Collaboration has been a cornerstone of the gallery's programming, with Arthouse initiating numerous projects that bring together artists and designers, including partnerships with Ginger & Smart, Space Furniture, Country Road and some of Australia's leading architects and designers.

In addition to its consistent presence at Sydney Contemporary, Melbourne Art Fair, Art Sydney, and the Australian Works on Paper Fair, Arthouse has partnered in major exhibitions at National, State, and Regional Art Galleries, as well as satellite exhibitions in Melbourne, Perth, Singapore, Hong Kong and London.

At Arthouse, we believe that visual art is a powerful force that transcends boundaries, enabling us to communicate our identities and foster connections within our diverse society. Working in the visual arts with living artists has been both an honor and a privilege, inspiring us through the art and artists that make up our Arthouse Family. The creativity, insight and bravery of these artists in sharing their personal expressions with the public is deeply valued by us all.

Many talented individuals have contributed to Arthouse Gallery over the past 30 years, and we wish to acknowledge and thank the intelligent, creative, and inspiring communicators, creatives, and administrators who have helped build this unique and special gallery, particularly Will Mansfield, who has made a significant contribution over the past decade to the gallery's growth and the Arthouse community. This milestone exhibition marks an extraordinary achievement for Arthouse Gallery as it celebrates three impressive decades. It is a joyous recognition of the visionary partnership between Di and Ali Yeldham, their founding mission to bring "Art to the People of Australia" from its origins in Paddington, and now the extraordinary institution that Arthouse has become today.

We look forward to the next decade as Arthouse Gallery continues to build its community of art lovers and to elevate the voices of the extraordinary artists who contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Australian culture.