Melbourne’s Alcaston Gallery owners Anthony and Beverly Knight have announced the appointment of the gallery’s new Director: Marielle Soni.
“Marielle shares the values so important to Alcaston Gallery, our artists and clients. She will bring her experience of contemporary art and design to our collectors and clients, developing new directions and services to continue Alcaston Gallery’s reputation as an innovative, respected international contemporary art gallery. Her expertise along with Beverly who is a world renowned expert on Australian Indigenous art, makes a formidable team”, says Anthony Knight, OAM.
Alcaston Gallery is one of Australia’s longest running and established commercial art galleries. Owners Anthony and Beverly Knight were pioneering collectors and champions of indigenous art and artists, opening Alcaston Gallery in 1989 to further promote contemporary Australian indigenous art to national and international collectors, and public institutions worldwide. The gallery’s stable of artists has grown to reflect the changing visual arts community in the region, including the dynamic, broad practices of artists across the Asia Pacific region.
Beverly Knight and Marielle Soni with artwork Nyinyilki, 2010, by Mrs (Sally) Gabori, Dal Segno chairs and Dr Shoso Shimbo Ikebana exclusively provided by Mondo Piero. Photograph: Chris Groenhout
Soni has spent over eighteen years promoting contemporary Australian art within the public and private sectors under various guises including art consultant, curator and arts manager. She is well-known to Alcaston Gallery’s clients having held the position of Senior Curator between 1998–2003. In 2004 she was appointed Senior Art Consultant of the popular Federal Government contemporary art collection and support program Artbank, heading their Melbourne operations for eleven years. Her specialised knowledge of contemporary art practice in Australia, and her commitment to excellent customer service was integral for the success of the program in the Melbourne market. Prior to this Soni was the Manager of the Aboriginal Art Centre Jilamara Arts and Crafts on Melville Island, whose Tiwi artists Alcaston Gallery has represented for many years, such as Pedro Wonaeamirri, Timothy Cook and the late Kitty Kantilla. Soni currently sits on the board of Melbourne Award winning arts organisation CLIMARTE, the management team behind the successful 2015 and ongoing biennial arts festival ART+CLIMATE=CHANGE.
Beverly Knight says, “My staff are delighted to now have Marielle grow and expand our business. The art market in Australia has seen major changes influenced by global shifts, which will no doubt continue. A dedicated team of professionals with impeccable dedication and expertise are needed to meet such challenges. It is an exciting time to embrace innovation and champion creative excellence.”
Soni is committed to building new audiences for contemporary art, understanding the value of a life engaged with fine art, design and the creative process. She promotes the rewarding creative and academic processes of collecting, and is enthusiastic in her support of our represented artists and their practices.
“It feels like a very natural progression to return to Alcaston Gallery. I have long admired Beverly and Anthony’s integrity and commitment to the visual arts community, indigenous rights, and cultural heritage. I am excited to become a part of Alcaston Gallery’s continuing evolution, to be at the forefront of a changing arts environment, and engaging audiences from around the world. Alcaston Gallery represents significant artists producing outstanding work, it is an honour to connect them with collectors who appreciate the importance of a life engaged with fine art, design and the creative process”, says Soni. “My appointment will support Beverly in developing projects including major public art commissions and exhibitions for our current artists, and those represented by Alcaston Gallery over the past three decades.”
