Outer Space Contemporary Arts Organisation is pleased to announce the appointment of Hamish Sawyer as the organisation’s new Director, effective 8 July.
Mr Sawyer is a Brisbane based independent curator and writer with more than fifteen years’ experience in programming and management across the commercial, government and not-for-profit sectors. His practice is informed by close collaboration with artists and he has worked on multiple curatorial projects including most recently, ‘Marian Tubbs: we need privacy guys here too’, presented at the University of Sunshine Coast Art Gallery. From 2016 to 2019 Sawyer was Curator and Manager of Caloundra Regional Gallery where he organised exhibitions by artists including Alfredo & Isabel Aquilizan, Lincoln Austin, Bianca Beetson, Laith McGregor and Elizabeth Willing. He has also served as a co-curator for the 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary at Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art in 2015 and has held positions at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) as well as a number of commercial galleries.
Sawyer will oversee the curatorial direction and strategic planning of Outer Space during its current period of exciting growth. Outer Space operates three venues in Fortitude Valley: a gallery and office located at the Judith Wright Arts Centre and a suite of six artist studios in Chinatown. The not-for-profit organisation provides collaborative opportunities for emerging artists and art workers to present critically engaged creative practice in a supportive, professional environment.
Mr Sawyer said Outer Space has become an integral part of the Brisbane visual arts ecology.
“I’m very grateful to the Outer Space board for this opportunity. I am excited to take up the leadership of an organisation that has proven itself to be dynamic, inclusive and responsive. I look forward to building on the significant achievements of outgoing Director Courtney Coombs, working with the Outer Space team and of course, our wonderful community of artists, to ensure its continued success and sustainability.”
Outer Space’s current Director, Courtney Coombs, will step into a new challenge, undertaking a Master’s Programme in Fine Art at the University of Bergen, Norway.
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to play a small part in the growth of Outer Space, building upon the solid structures that founders Caity Reynolds and Llewellyn Millhouse put in place. It has been a strange and challenging time to be directing a small arts organisation. But thanks to the dedicated team of Board Members, casual staff, and volunteers, as well as the incredible arts community we have the pleasure of working with and for, these last two years have been some of the most rewarding. I am so excited to witness the next stage for Outer Space under the direction of Hamish. I have no doubt that it’s going to be brilliant,” said Courtney Coombs.
For further information on Outer Space Contemporary Arts Organisation and upcoming exhibitions, events and public programs please visit www.outerspacebrisbane.org
Outer Space is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
Image credit: Sam Cranstoun
