The halls are alive … with art at Plumridge House
It’s a gorgeous art deco treasure in Fortitude Valley and now Plumridge House is a major destination for art lovers.
Plumridge House … it sounds a bit posh, doesn’t it? And in a way it is, a gorgeous heritage building in Agnes Street, Fortitude Valley, that is also a haven for art.
There you’ll find the collection of the building’s owners, the Allan family, and now the art of B.LOWE Art Gallery.
The art for sale here is mostly from emerging artists (admittedly some are more established than others) – and it is accessible and affordable.
The latest show, New World Exhibition, has just opened and is on for three months and features about 30 artists including the celebrated street artist Drapl, Jane Thompson, Callum Deed, Gina Ward and other names you may or may not know … or might know soon.
The man behind B.LOWE Art Gallery is Buckley Lowe, a hairdresser, artist and art entrepreneur who came to Brisbane from Lancashire in England 11 years ago with a vision.
“My life in England wasn’t the best,” he tells me when we sit down for coffee and cake at Plumridge House’s The Daily Maid Cafe. (Every good art gallery should have a café attached.)
You might like
“My wife Rebecca, who is an English and drama teacher, is originally from Brisbane. I have always been a hairdresser and have travelled the world. I’ve done everything in my career and worked with people such as Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.”
‘I saw this market for emerging art, which is affordable art, and started doing these shows’
When he came here Lowe, 54, was keen to sort out his life and start promoting art, which he has been doing at his salon, B.LOWE Hair & Art Space at 9 Hercules Street, Hamilton. This unique space houses both a hair salon and art gallery and as Lowe points out it “breaks the mould of traditional art galleries, combining a casual atmosphere and relaxed way to enjoy both art and a pampering”.
“I saw this market for emerging art, which is affordable art, and started doing these shows called LOLT – Life on Life’s Terms – raising money for kids’ mental health and to support emerging artists,” he says. “Soon I had more than 100 artists who had never exhibited before.”
The salon art gallery is still running, but the concept has expanded to include the gallery at Plumridge House.
“The guy that owns the building approached me and said he loved what I was doing,” Lowe says. “The family are avid art lovers and collectors and it is their dream to fill it with art. When I saw the building, I was like, wow, it’s incredible.”
Plumridge House is a shining example of the preservation of one of Brisbane’s most iconic art deco buildings, thanks to the vision and passion of Dave Allan. The Allan family purchased the building in the ’90s, and it was always a dream to restore the building to its original state.
An avid fan and collector of the arts, together with his son Duncan they came up with the idea to turn this former confectionery factory into 52 boutique offices that would offer a different feel to the typical corporate office space in the city.
Subscribe for updates
Today, Duncan Allan has followed in his father’s footsteps, remaining enthusiastic and supportive of the Brisbane art scene, continuing to be a collector himself. Having a thought to transform the gleaming, bright, towering hallways of Plumridge House into an art gallery, Duncan approached Buckley Lowe, whose small Hamilton gallery was fast gaining a reputation for exhibiting emerging and affordable art, to create this gallery – B. LOWE Art Gallery @ Plumridge House.
Sharing parallel vision and passion for contemporary art, they are seeking to give Brisbane a whole new concept in accessible art for everyone to approach in a stunning, yet casual and inviting environment.
The gallery features emerging and established artists and is open during business hours, and by appointment on weekends, for patrons to roam the halls and admire the works at their leisure. It’s a relaxed atmosphere.
“The artists love it,” Lowe says. “Often they don’t like galleries because they are a bit pretentious,” he says. “When I came here, I thought the art scene here was for the well-heeled.”
He wanted to change that and he’s doing so exhibition by exhibition.
The work on show in the latest exhibition features 30 artists and an array of genres. It’s a magnet for art lovers but the building is worth a visit for history buffs, too, who will marvel at this art deco treasure. I’ve lived in Brisbane for 35 years and I didn’t know this building existed and was blown away by its retro cachet and the halls filled with art.
In recent years, Plumridge House has been meticulously renovated, preserving its character and architectural art deco features, making it a truly stand out building, both inside and out, in the heart of the Fortitude Valley. It’s a world within a world and a must for art lovers on a budget.
“Prices range from $150 to $10,000,” Lowe says. “There’s nothing above $10,000. Just come in, walk around, no-one bothers you. If you like it buy it using the QR code and it will be delivered to your house.”
Head assistant curator Hilary Allen is at Plumridge House Fridays from 10am to 5pm for consultations regarding the exhibition and artworks.
For more information and a New World Exhibition catalogue: