21 August 2012

Art Logic Adds Sci-Fi Specialist Graham to Gallery of Talent

South Australian-based art leasing specialist, Art Logic has enrolled sci-fi artist Graham Shaw as its latest gallery attraction.

Art Logic founder, Jacqueline Mitchell says Graham, a multiple award-winning artist, presents whimsical pieces inspired by the ‘retro’ version of science fiction aesthetics, developed from his love of the genre as a young boy.

Using metal and plastic objects found in second-hand and charity stores, he creates new and interesting pieces of art which explore our views on science fiction, ranging from our fears to our hopes and capturing everything in between.

Graham studied at the Perth College of Art from 1975-78 and has been creating metal sculptures for almost 15 years, selling them across Australia and exhibiting widely.

ART in the right place is LOGICal

in-business Magazine, March 2007

Turning a passion into a business is not new. But seeking to evolve world peace through art just might be.

With 25 years overseas, a decade of corporate adventures, a masters degree and fluency in 3 languages to fall back on, Jacqueline Mitchell decided to challenge her latent entrepreneurialism.

“I explored aspects of my personality,” reveals Jacqueline, “in order to create my own dynamic and innovative career path. My passion for art and my desire to express my entrepreneurial alter ego has grown into a business which allows the artistic horizons of others to expand as well.”

Art Logic, Jacqueline’s art rental and advisory business has three key objectives. To enhance work environments by providing alternating art; to support local artists by sourcing space outside galleries for their work; and to push people’s perceptions of what constitutes art.

“As an innovative business Art Logic allows artists to retain ownership of their artworks whilst being paid a rental fee,” explains Jacqueline. “Most art is also available for sale so artists have a double opportunity to support themselves and their work.”

Jacqueline says the grass roots idea has seen her develop workshops and greater corporate interaction with artists; communication that would be normally reserved for art aficionados and gallery visitors. Seeing herself as a ‘corporate curator’, she explains that art education is integral to personal and business betterment. The curated exhibits can reflect any image a company wants to portray, that it is fun, connected and challenging for instance.

“When I work with an organisation to provide artworks there is also an opportunity to have artists come and talk to staff about their work,” she says. “Surprisingly, this is a great team building initiative as co-workers can learn much from each others reaction to art.”

Jacqueline says games such as matching an artwork with a list of random titles explores people’s views about art and can provide great conversational topics in the workplace. Artist talks and quizzes, held during a lunch hour or as part of team management, mean that renting art can provide much more than just an interesting backdrop.

“I try not to imprint my views when choosing art for a space,” says Jacqueline, “and I also try not to be dictated to by the preferences of the client. Because the whole point is to expand people’s perceptions; that can only be effective if preconceptions or preferences are taken out of the equation.”

Using gallery hanging techniques, Jacqueline also ensures that a variety of art can be accommodated without damaging walls or rearranging spaces.

Parochial and proud, Art Logic handles only art from South Australian artists. “It is a must for local artists to be supported not only because they enrich our cultural heritage but because we spend so much time in our workplace. Offices should be amazing, beautiful and fun places.”

Artworks range from traditional canvas to sculpture, multi-media, industrial design, installations, lights and -somewhat contentiously- graffiti art. Jacqueline works with more than 40 South Australian artists and the number is constantly rising.

This diversity means exhibition space is not restricted to foyers. In addition, art rental fees are tax deductible as a business expense.

“My future vision is to have businesses and corporates support artists in the same way they support their charity of choice,” advises Jacqueline. “By sponsoring artists, displaying their work and even providing studio space or paying studio rents, corporate social responsibility will be seen to be operating in a new and dynamic environment.”
“But it’s not about diverting support from charities; it’s about contributing to the health and happiness of employees, gaining the respect of clients and helping to bring people together through art.”

And does Jacqueline really believe that people can be brought together through art? You bet she does. She has seen it in action.

“World peace may be a lofty ideal,” smiles Jacqueline, “but seeking to have people better understand each other and appreciate alternative views does bring about office harmony. The extension of that gained tolerance and understanding filters through to communities, countries and, ultimately, the world.” What a change of art! 

Gayle Buckby (left) of QED is renting a collection of art from Sina Grasmann (centre) and Jacqueline Mitchell of Art Logic.

‘Adelaide Matters’, September 2006

The benefits of renting art

When it comes to corporate success, economist and interpreter Jacqueline Mitchell advocates mixing business with pleasure.
Through her art rental business, Art Logic, she encourages businesses to make art part of their wallpaper to “expand people’s vision”.
“I want to help create a world where people are peaceful and happy, for that to happen they need to be in touch with their creativity,” she says.
Hanging art in the workplace, she says, inspires and challenges people, and provokes discussions between colleagues about something other than work and the weather.
Jacqueline moved to Adelaide about four years ago after spending 25 years overseas, living mostly in Europe.
She studied and taught economics at Munich university and was a conference interpreter based in Brussels – she is fluent in German, French and English.
She admits it’s been a “challenge for an academic to run a business”.
“If you’d told me two years ago I’d be running my own art rental business I would have said ‘no way’.”
Jacqueline has a portfolio spanning street artists, illustrators, abstract and figurative painters, as well as sculptors and photographers – they include Dean Howarth, Ann Newmarch, Zoe Freney, Leo Neuhofer (also ceramics) and KAB 101 and sculptor John Woffinden.
Art Logic chooses a mix of works to suit each client, installs the collection and changes it every four months.
Jacqueline believes renting art is a way for businesses not only to create a thought-provoking space but help support South Australian artists.
Art Logic can be contacted on 0432-924-305.
Catherine Clifton
 

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