Offered for the first time in 25 years, kellilundberg.art proudly presents an extraordinary compilation of works from the private collection of Drew Ilsley, Melbourne.
Reflecting a collector’s commitment to contemporary art, diverse stylistic leanings, an astute eye and a long-running relationship with the esteemed Christine Abrahams Gallery, Richmond through which his collection was largely acquired, The Ilsley Collection is a rich documentary on both art and culture.
Featuring works on paper, photography and paintings by Thornton Walker, Ildiko Kovacs, Denise Green, Max Dupain, Matthew Johnson, Deborah Halpern and Jeff Carter, The Ilsley Collection is a rare glimpse into an important and diverse assemblage of contemporary Australian art.
A collector walks into an art gallery...
And so begins a relationship that can last for years, bringing engagement, discussion, challenges and rewards for the collector, the gallerist, and of course the artists.
Looking back at my time as a Gallery Director, I recall with fondness the special group of collectors who had both the passion and curiosity to create their own vision by collecting artworks that brought them joy and stimulated their imaginations. One such collector was Drew Ilsley. Over time Drew gathered a group of artworks that were linked by an almost harmonic reverberation.
Covering a broad variety of mediums - paintings, ceramics, photography, prints, and watercolours – Drew collected works by Thornton Walker, Ildiko Kovacs, Matthew Johnson, Deborah Halpern, Denise Green, Max Dupain, and Jeff Carter. These artists were and remain highly regarded, and I had the privilege of representing them all at Christine Abrahams Gallery with the empathetic help of my Associate Director, Kelli Hulyer (Lundberg).
For me, seeing these works again after more than 20 years is both reassuring, and heart-warming. Reassuring because the qualities that attracted me (and Drew) to these artists and these works continue to shine through. They are works by artists who were confident in their vision and compelling in their realisation. Heart-warming because after all this time the discerning collector, these fabulous artworks and the somewhat older gallerists have been re-united in a new gallery with a fine pedigree and a strangely familiar name!
Enjoy the show.
Guy Abrahams, May 2024
