Sydney’s Locksmith Project Space is a radical gallery model. The Redfern ARI is rent and commission free for artists. Filling a cavernous void in Sydney’s gallery landscape, this habitat for art, experimental music and film has been hitting the right chords in the community. By reeling in emerging artists unafraid to transgress boundaries and releasing their print journal Locksmith Project, Locksmiths is a mechanism to let people into art at a grassroots level  - like the unbolting service of the same name. Next to mutate the space are pop up theme shop makers Bams & Ted to host ‘Sebastian’ - Evelyn Waugh’s 1920’s den of debauchery. I spoke to Kenzee, one of the four directors, to talk through running such a generous model. 


Can you talk me through the early part of the gallery's inception? 

Samuel Villalobos and I became friends at Sydney College of the Arts as first year students in 2002. In 2007 we had just both returned from overseas stays, and we were keen to start some kind of art-related project in Sydney. Rachel Fuller, who would go on to become another Locksmith director in 2009 along with Yasmin Smith and Kenzie Larsen, had a friend who was looking to pass on a space he had been using as a second-hand furniture store. Sam and I took over the space, which had at one time or another also been a hairdresser, a real estate agency and a locksmith. 

What motivated Locksmith Project Space to begin and what keeps you going?

Initially we were motivated by the oft-heard lament that Sydney had nothing going on, and that either Melbourne or overseas were the places to be. Instead of complaining about a lack of galleries/venues/projects in Sydney, we decided to make our own. We also wanted to provide a space that was rent and commission free as an alternative to the existing artist-run spaces; in order to level out the playing field a bit for artists. 

It's harder to say what keeps us going. Momentum?

Who was the first artist to show?

In late 2007 we had a fundraiser in the space. We asked Sydney artists like Emma White, Daniel Boyd and Fiona Lowry to donate work for an art auction, we ran a BBQ, and we had some bands play. That one event set the mood for how we approach the programming and running of the space, it also created a lot of support, encouragement and enthusiasm for Locksmith within the Sydney arts community.

In February 2008 we had the very first exhibition in the space. It was curated by Nigel Milsom and included three artists; Mary MacDougall, Aimee Crouch and Liron Gilmore. It was aptly titled "The Start of a Very Nice Day."

Who was the last artist to show?

The last artist to exhibit in the space was Bonita Bub, with her solo exhibition Two-tone, bi-nuclear zone.

Can you talk me through a memorable moment for you?

One of my highlights would be one of the most recent Space Habit nights (a monthly sound and music night organised by Jonathan Hochman). Naked on the Vague, Bum Creek and Holy Balm played. The bands were excellent, and there was a tremendous amount of energy packed into the small gallery space.

As a Director and artist what are the assets of running an ARI?

At its best, directing an artist-run space gives you a strong sense of community, and also provides you with an opportunity to exhibit and publish quality artwork and to support other artists.

At its worst, there are long, unpaid hours of administration and gallery preparation and cleaning, as well as occasionally having to deal with unrealistic expectations and ingratitude.

What's your perception of Sydney's arts community?

I think that there are a lot of artists in Sydney whole-heartedly supporting other artists at a grass-roots level, either by running spaces or attending exhibitions, etc. Unfortunately, it feels to me that the Sydney arts community is too heavily affected by bureaucrats and administrators.

What's in the future for Locksmith's and your personal practice as an artist?

We have just finished programming the second half of this year at Locksmith, and I am very excited about the upcoming exhibitions. Locksmith exists year-to-year, and each year we run with a slightly different model of programming, so 2011 is still up in the air.

Next up for me is a solo exhibition at MOP in Chippendale, titled "Old Toll Plaza." It opens June 17 and runs until July 4.