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By Lauren Farrow Birchgrove’s Groundfloor Gallery is at the centre of controversy this month, with several Sydney artists claiming they are owed more than $20,000 collectively for sold works. Sydney artists Darren Gannon, Caroline Corby and Tony Priddle have alleged that gallery director Jeannette Mascolo has not paid them for artworks sold at their exhi- bitions, which were held in March, May and August this year. According to the artists, they each had contracts with Ms Mascolo and had artworks sold at their exhibi- tion, but despite repeated requests for payment had received none. “I sent through a letter of demand on September 29, that was the last contact I have ever had with her,” Darren Gannon said. A search of the business name Groundfloor Gallery by the Village Voice found that its registration with the office of Fair Trading was can- celled on September 30. Mr Gannon said while his expe- rience with the Groundfloor Gallery was “unusual”, it highlighted a broader problem within the indus- try, where practices and standards were inconsistent and unregulated. “I have never not been paid be- fore, but there is sometimes a diffi- culty getting paid on time. Certainly, sometimes there seems to be a drip feed mentality,” Mr Gannon said. According to Robyn Ayres, execu- tive director of the Arts Law Centre of Australia, which provides legal and business advice to artists, many of the organisation’s clients faced problems with debt recovery. But unlike the circumstances at Groundfloor Gallery, this was be- cause artists had not drawn-up con- tracts. While “normal” business would always include a written agreement or contract, Ms Ayres said many in the art world bypassed this proce- dure. “Part of what we are trying to do is to encourage artists to manage their work in a business-like way,” Ms Ayres said. “Often artists are so keen to get galleries to exhibit their work that they do not want to push for a writ- ten agreement from a gallery.” Ms Ayres said artists should always have a contract or written agreement via email and should investigate the gallery before exhibiting. According to a spokeswoman from the Office of Fair Trading, no complaints had been received re- garding Groundfloor Gallery. Village Voice has repeatedly tried to contact the gallery direc- tor Jeannette Mascolo for comment but has not received a response. Village Voice visited the Groundfloor Gallery last month, but found that the premises were for lease. Artists concerned after Groundfloor Gallery closes The former Groundfloor Gallery in Birchgrove is empty and has a For Lease sign on the door. Sydney artistTony Priddle (above) said he has not been paid for artworks sold by the gallery. ROWAN FOTHERINGHAM Shed 4 - 142a Mullens St. Balmain drawing, painting and photography by Open Saturdays 10am – 6pm or by appointment ph > 0409990514 www.waterborneimages.com.au at gallery 1181069 HANNAN ACCOUNTING Taxation and Accounting Specialist • Let us help you maximise your tax benefits and get the best return for you • Let us help you save time and money We can help with • Tax minimization strategies – for you and your family • Personal tax which really seeks to maximize your returns • Company taxation and benefits to you and your company • Planning ways to secure you’re your future • Tax restructuring advice • Feasibility and financial projections Abdul has been practising in the local community for over 8 years Please call today and make an appointment Ph: 9555 1214 M: 0412 093 338 Email: [email protected] Suite 2, level 1, 637 Darling St, Rozelle 2039 P.O. Box 1655 Rozelle 2039 Abdul Hannan B.Bus (UTS), Consultant & REG Tax Agent 1229226 FOAM REPLACEMENT!! 1 hour cushion replacement – New High Density Cushions cut to size with wadding wrap – making your old lounge new again. Bring your cushions in – or just the sofa covers. Also specialists in foam cutting for odd shapes & sizes i.e. Boats, Mattresses etc. 20 years of cutting foam makes us very good at it. The Foam Booth Cnr. Penshurst & McMahon St, WILLOUGHBY T: 9417 0088 554 Cleveland St (cnr Sth Dowling St) SURRY HILLS T: 9319 0594 [email protected] 6 Village Voice Balmain December

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Page 1: Ground Floor Gallery

By Lauren FarrowBirchgrove’s Groundfloor Gallery is at the centre of controversy this month, with several Sydney artists claiming they are owed more than $20,000 collectively for sold works.

Sydney artists Darren Gannon, Caroline Corby and Tony Priddle have alleged that gallery director Jeannette Mascolo has not paid them for artworks sold at their exhi-bitions, which were held in March, May and August this year.

According to the artists, they each had contracts with Ms Mascolo and had artworks sold at their exhibi-tion, but despite repeated requests for payment had received none.

“I sent through a letter of demand on September 29, that was the last contact I have ever had with her,” Darren Gannon said.

A search of the business name Groundfloor Gallery by the Village Voice found that its registration with the office of Fair Trading was can-celled on September 30.

Mr Gannon said while his expe-rience with the Groundfloor Gallery was “unusual”, it highlighted a broader problem within the indus-try, where practices and standards were inconsistent and unregulated.

“I have never not been paid be-fore, but there is sometimes a diffi-culty getting paid on time. Certainly, sometimes there seems to be a drip feed mentality,” Mr Gannon said.

According to Robyn Ayres, execu-tive director of the Arts Law Centre of Australia, which provides legal and business advice to artists, many of the organisation’s clients faced problems with debt recovery.

But unlike the circumstances at Groundfloor Gallery, this was be-cause artists had not drawn-up con-tracts.

While “normal” business would always include a written agreement or contract, Ms Ayres said many in the art world bypassed this proce-dure.

“Part of what we are trying to do

is to encourage artists to manage their work in a business-like way,” Ms Ayres said.

“Often artists are so keen to get galleries to exhibit their work that they do not want to push for a writ-ten agreement from a gallery.”

Ms Ayres said artists should always have a contract or written agreement via email and should investigate the gallery before exhibiting.

According to a spokeswoman from the Office of Fair Trading, no complaints had been received re-garding Groundfloor Gallery.

Village Voice has repeatedly tried to contact the gallery direc-tor Jeannette Mascolo for comment but has not received a response.Village Voice visited the Groundfloor Gallery last month, but found that the premises were for lease.

Artists concerned after Groundfloor Gallery closes

The former Groundfloor Gallery in Birchgrove is empty and has a For Lease sign on the door.Sydney artistTony Priddle (above) said he has not been paid for artworks sold by the gallery.

ROWANFOTHER I NGHAM

Shed 4 - 142a Mullens St. Balmain

drawing, painting and photography

by

Open Saturdays 10am – 6pmor by appointment ph > 0409990514www.waterborneimages.com.au

at

gallery

1181069

HANNAN ACCOUNTINGTaxation and Accounting Specialist• Let us help you maximise your tax benefits

and get the best return for you• Let us help you save time and moneyWe can help with• Tax minimization strategies – for you and your family• Personal tax which really seeks to maximize your returns• Company taxation and benefits to you and your company• Planning ways to secure you’re your future• Tax restructuring advice• Feasibility and financial projections

Abdul has been practising in the local community for over 8 years

Please call today and make an appointment

Ph: 9555 1214 M: 0412 093 338Email: [email protected] 2, level 1, 637 Darling St, Rozelle 2039 P.O. Box 1655 Rozelle 2039 Abdul Hannan B.Bus (UTS), Consultant & REG Tax Agent

1229

226

FOAM REPLACEMENT!!1 hour cushion replacement – New High Density Cushions cut to size with

wadding wrap – making your old lounge new again. Bring your cushions in – or just the sofa covers. Also specialists in foam cutting for odd shapes & sizes i.e.

Boats, Mattresses etc. 20 years of cutting foam makes us very good at it.

The Foam BoothCnr. Penshurst & McMahon St,

WILLOUGHBY T: 9417 0088

554 Cleveland St (cnr Sth Dowling St)SURRY HILLS T: 9319 0594

[email protected]

6 Village Voice Balmain December