Light Blue - February 2024

Geelong Grammar School, Light Blue Publications, 4 February 2024

Thirty-five years ago, in March 1988, Rebecca Hossack, then a young gallery assistant, was cycling along Windmill Street in London's bohemian Fitzrovia district on a beautiful sunny day. She was reminded of her native Australia, with everyone outside enjoying the spring sunshine and, when she saw a 'shop for rent' notice, she took it as a sign.


She had been mulling over the idea of opening her own art gallery, and fortunately the bank was prepared to give her a modest loan to start. Her motivation was to share her passion for Australian Aboriginal art with a British audience.


Soon afterwards, she asked the artist Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri, whom she had met in Alice Springs, if he would like to show his work in London; he said yes.

 

In 1990, Clifford's work formed Rebecca's first exhibition and sale of Australian Aboriginal paintings, and indeed one of the first exhibitions of Australian Aboriginal art in Europe.