phorm profiling :: jan manton art

Phorm Profiing: Jan Manton Art

Centrally located in the cultural hub of Brisbane’s South Bank Precinct, Jan Manton Art neighbors the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. Since opening in 2004, Jan Manton Art has exhibited leading and contemporary artists from Australia and overseas, like US based artist, Stuart Allen, who’s stunning photographic works feature in our Kangaroo Point Apartment project.

What sets Jan Manton gallery apart from it’s competitors in Brisbane?

My gallery shows leading Australian and international artists, with a particular leaning toward Asian art. The market for Asian art is particular strong and I have many clients who are collecting Asian artists along side Australian art. Dadang Christanto and Heri Dono are two Indonesian artists who show regularly at my gallery as well as internationally. Their work is collected by private collectors here and overseas as well as galleries such as Queensland Art Gallery, Art Gallery of New South Wales and National Gallery in Canberra.

What would a typical day involve?

There is no such thing as a typical day as a Gallery Director. It can vary from taking a new consignment of works, to talking about art to a group of art students or showing visiting curators from interstate or overseas new works by one of my artists.

How international is your career?

My client list includes private collectors from Australia and overseas, with a focus on Asian art. I am building a strong client base in Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as Dubai and even the US. Using the website, collectors are able to view and purchase on-line. I arrange transport and shipping and it make it a convenient way to buy art for overseas buyers, or even interstate buyers for that matter.

What percentage of your exhibited works are local Queensland artists?

I am a strong supporter of Queensland artists with half the artists I represent being from here. I have artists from Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns. Their work reflects the area they come from. For instance, works by the Cairns based artist Sam Tupou reflect his Samoan heritage and the relaxed and colourful life of living in Far North Queensland. Another artist from that region is Daniel Wallwork who creates slick sculptural works that reflect the highly polished duco surfaces of cars panels and the pin-strip details of big-rigs and car couture. Queensland has outstanding artists and I am proud to promote their work interstate and overseas.

(Phorm Interiors are currently commissioning works by Daniel Wallwork for an exciting upcoming project - STAY TUNED!)

How do you keep your mind and gallery fresh?

The wonderful thing about owning a gallery is the opportunity work with creative people. It is their creative energy that keeps me fresh of mind and makes the gallery an interesting place to visit. I enjoy sharing the creative process and seeing a work develop from concept to reality. It is what keeps me in this business.

What about your own art career?

I am a frustrated artist, who realized long ago, that I would never make it as an artist. The next best thing was to sell art, not make it!!

Jan Manton Art

Phone +61 7 3844 0043

Address 59 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane QLD .au