All photos by Anne Klinge & Skye Davidson.
Above: Artworks by various artists
displayed in one of the rooms of the
gallery.
Above: Various paintings displayed in one of the
rooms of the gallery.
Above: One display showing tea cups and saucers
crafted by Melanie Sharpham.
Above: One display showing porcelain pots crafted
by Georgina Elms.
Above: One of the aboriginal paintings
displayed, 'Women Cremonyi' by artist
Makindi Napanangka.
Above: One of the aboriginal paintings
displayed, 'Tingari' by artist Thomas
Tjapaltjarri.
Above: One of the aboriginal paintings displayed, 'My Country' by artist Walangkura Napanangka.
Above: One display showing porcelain bowls
crafted by Ivan Gluch.
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By Skye Davidson and Anne Klinge, Bond Journalism Students.
Tucked away in Moores Crescent Varsity Lakes is a unique Art Gallery called Akrogiali.
The gallery specialises in unique Aboriginal paintings and Australian ceramics from artists such as Pippin Drysdale, Sandra Black, Minnie "Motorcar" Pwerle and Makinti Napanangka.
Akrogiali is owned and operated by Dr George Tsambourakis, who moved his gallery from Coffs Harbour to Varsity Lakes in June 2007.
Every item in the gallery is for sale with prices ranging from under $100 to in excess of $10,000.
However Dr Tsambourakis said he had received very little interest in his gallery from the local community. “Only one neighbour has bought things from me,” he said. “That neighbour then told another neighbour who also bought things from me, but that is it.”
Mr Tsambourakis said Akrogiali translated to ‘sea shore’ in Greek and was advertised in international art magazines such as Australian Art Collector International.
However, the gallery also relies heavily on word of mouth. “My main customers come from NSW, VIC, WA, SA, Holland, France, Italy, Germany and the USA,” he said.
Dr Tsambourakis said art was personal and should not be chosen in haste. “Picking up a painting is an art by itself, it’s like picking up a husband or a wife,” he said.
“You look at it, you go away, you come back look at it again and then you think: do I want this person to be next to me every morning when I open my eyes? “If the answer is yes, then you should get married or buy the painting.”
Akrogiali is in the middle of Varsity Lakes, just 100 metres from Market Square.
Akrogiali is open from 11am to 4pm Wednesday to Saturday.
Alternatively appointments can be arranged by contacting Dr George Tsambourakis on +61 (0)428 223 448 or e-mailing sales@akrogiali.com.au.
More information about Akrogiali can be found at the website www.akrogiali.com.au
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