Mackay Harrison gallery reopens
Ballina artist David Mackay Harrison has reopened his East Ballina gallery in a major refurbishment.
And the Mackay Harrison Galleries at the Angels Beach estate in East Ballina now has on show artworks from some of Australia’s leading artists.
Also on show are David’s own bronze sculptures which are cast at his Southern Cross Industrial Estate foundry.
The original gallery was established in 1979 on the same site.
David says the refurbished gallery would be the equal of any commercial gallery in Australia.
And there is still more work to be done, with the front of the gallery now being transformed into a sculpture courtyard which David hopes will be finished by Easter.
David initially made his mark in the art world as a painter before turning his hand to bronze sculptures.
“I intend to get back into painting soon,” he said.
David’s position as one of the district’s leading artists is a far cry from his first job.
He graduated from Lismore High School in 1958 and then attended Hawkesbury Agricultural College, graduating with a Diploma in Agriculture.
He joined Chamberlain Tractors as an area representative in 1961 and went on to become district manager in the Swan Hill region.
David left Swan Hill in 1968 and travelled extensively throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It was at this time that he began painting full-time.
He returned to Lismore in 1971 and then moved to Ballina.
Artists represented at the gallery include Ken Knight, Brian Malt, Norman Lyndsay, Judith Laws, John Wilson, Velia Newman, John Pointon, Lucette Da Lozzo, Louis Da Lozzo, Judith Da Lozzo, Andre Vanne, Hienz Stienmann, Rod Ellis, Robert Simpson, Emma Sheldrake, Cliff Sheldrake, Jeffrey Baker, John Turton, Michael Taylor, Metka Skrobar, Antonio Duarte, Zan Player and Rex Bacchus-Smith.
“They’re all full-time, very professional artists,” David said.
“They’re known Australia-wide and represent a very select cross-section of Australian artists.”
David himself is building an international reputation with his bronze sculptures, with his works being sold in the United States, England and other European countries.
His works have been exhibited in all the capital cities of Australia.
The gallery at 79 Bayview Drive, East Ballina, is open from 10am until 5.30pm Tuesday to Saturday, and 11am until 5.30pm on Sundays.
The gallery is being managed by David’s wife Kym.
PICTURE: Kym and David Mackay Harrison at their East Ballina gallery.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Dear David, I have 2 of your bronze sculptures - Amanda and I think Nardia. I would like to know how to keep the “patina” as it has been some years since I purchased them and they are not as glossy as they used to be. I was going to try some sort of wax, but not sure if this is the right thing to do, or, if it is what type to use.
I would appreciate if you could email me with details, as they are very special sculptures to me.
Regards,
Leonie Morris