Artist Louise McRae a Star of the Other Fair

Former graphic designer and professional equestrian rider, New Zealander Louise McRae, made her Australian debut at Sydney’s recent Other Art Fair with eight new works of recycled timber compositions.

Gallery owner Roslyn Oxley said McRae was among her favourite exhibitors at the fair.

“I took a big gamble. I saw [the fair] on social media and thought it looks amazing. I’ll see what happens – and then I got in and thought, ‘Oh God, I’m going to Australia’,” McRae said before the show.

“I’m 48, a late starter … some sales would be wonderful and representation in a really fantastic gallery would be great too.”

The Other Art Fair is pitched as an alternative marketplace showing emerging artists who do not have gallery representation.

But behind the scenes, some of the biggest names in Australian art were “swiped right” to select the 108 artists on show.

“There’s no real rules and there’s no real market, this is just an opportunity for people to come along,” Oxley said.

The fair is in its second year in Sydney, modelled on a successful London version and backed by sales company Saatchi Art, founded by English advertising mogul and art world tsar Charles Saatchi.

McRae holds a Master of Fine Arts from Auckland’s Whitecliffe College of Art Design.

Original article by Michaela Boland, The Australian, October 28, 2016.