Introducing
CHG Director Mark Widdup
In 1975 Director Mark Widdup opened Cooks Hill Galleries (CHG) with an emphasis on bringing art exhibitions from overseas in conjunction with showing local and Australian artists.
A curated monthly exhibition schedule was introduced by the Director, later to be augmented with an art dealing focus! Mark has curated some significant exhibitions in more than 42 years, including prominent artists such as Brett Whiteley, Sir Sidney Nolan, Charles Blackman etc.
Additionally Mark has sold, advised and handled some important artworks to/for clients and corporations. A snapshot of names being: Arthur Streeton, Arthur Boyd, William Dobell, Tim Storrier, Margaret Preston, John Perceval, Margaret Olley, Tracey Maree Smith, James Kearns, James Drinkwater, Aaron Kinnane, John Earle, to name a few.
Mark also recognises and promotes the importance of mid-career artists; reaching the age of moving to the next hierarchy of Australian art and reputation. An advocate for emerging artists, he assists in encouraging and building their art profiles.
CHG has presented over 500 exhibitions;
One person, group or themed shows of 2D and 3D artworks. It is rare that a director owns the bricks and mortar, gallery space and even more so that gallery visitors are welcomed to a central exhibition space adjacent to 3 other gallery rooms so as to feature art works from the gallery’s stable of artists!*
On an international level, Mark and CHG introduced Australian artists in ‘Cityscape Expo’ - a Dubai Trade exhibition, and Shanghai China trade show (presented by the Australian Government – Austrade). These are precursors for showing overseas in Hong Kong and Karachi (Pakistan) in 2017- 2020. He also intends to have representation for the CHG’s ‘Represented artists’ in Europe and UAE in the near future.
As to the future, Mark intends to leverage his ‘art knowledge’, realizing art buyers and or collectors require an experienced eye to guide them into art which is worthy of collecting! As he sees it, assisting CHG’s artists to build their art profile with his management skills is both a priority and a necessity.
If you require assistance with buying or selling art, art valuations or art selection you can contact CHG Director Mark Widdup here.