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Southern Exchange facilitates cultural exchange activities between people and projects located within and between the traditional and contemporary cultures of Australia, South Africa, and North Asia. We focus on the visual arts and crafts, and work with projects, artists and craftspeople whose work positively contributes to their communities in a sustainable way.
Southern Exchange designs and delivers exhibitions, projects and special commissions to connect people in new and exciting ways. In this way, we aim to enhance mutual understanding through creatively engaging, informative activities.
We actively seek to work with participants from a wide range of sectors - business, government, civil society and the arts - for the purpose of specilaised projects and exhibitions (commercial and public), trading and consulting activities.
About Us - The Business
Southern Exchange combines specialist knowledge of the Australian and South African creative industry sectors with expertise in arts management, cultural relations, marketing and sustainable development.
Today the business is based in Hong Kong and Sydney, with representation and registered operations in both locations. The Australian Directors of Southern Exchange, Georgie Bruce and Anthea Fawcett, established the business in Seoul in early 2006 (while both resident in Korea) to introduce select areas of contemporary Australian and South African fine art and art craft to Korean audiences.
Our exhibitions are designed to encourage cultural exchange and to promote the sale of works to support the business and the communities with whom we work.
Building upon achievements in Korea (see Past Events & Exhibitions) is a core focus of the business that, moving forward, will focus on innovative projects and exhibitions between Australia, Southern Africa and North Asia.
Our key business activities are:
1. Exhibitions - Contemporary Fine Arts and Craft
- Exhibition concept development, project management and delivery
- Specialist curatorial services, including sourcing of works for private and corporate collections
- Exhibition of works for sale at key venues and events in Hong Kong and Sydney
2. Consultancy Services
- Consultancy services to Australian and South African partner organizations and colleagues to deliver cultural exchange activities in country (Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, South Korea)
- Specialist sourcing and procurement of fine art and art craft from Australia and South Africa
- Project management of art exhibitions and programs, including management of sponsorship and marketing programs
About Us – The People
Anthea Fawcett
 Since 2002 Anthea has lived in South Africa and South Korea, enjoying the opportunity to experience two of the world’s most rapidly transforming cultures and economies. Australia enjoys a strong relationship with Korea – something South Africa is now developing, as North Asia turns its focus to Africa. Upon moving to Seoul in early 2005 and meeting fellow Australian expatriate Georgie Bruce, the opportunity to promote Australian and South African arts and culture to Korean audiences presented itself - and so plans were made to establish Southern Exchange.
In 2006, Anthea curated the ANZA Art Show Southern Hands, initiated numerous trade opportunities and presentations of South African art craft, and presented Contemporary Colours - Modern Art Craft From South Africa in conjunction with Gallery Ju, Samcheong-dong, Seoul.
In 2007, Heart & Soul – Community works from South Africa, a fully curated exhibition of works from major South African community based craft groups, was the result of a successful collaboration with the Hantaek Botanical Gardens, Yongin. Other projects in 2007 include The Australian Art Gallery, for the Australian Embassy, Australia Day Celebrations 2007, Seoul, and the presentation of Australian and South African works at SIPA 2007- Seoul International Print, Photo & Edition Works Art Fair.
Anthea possesses a Master of Art Administration from the College of Fine Arts, University of New South Wales. She has worked extensively in sustainable design and development, and environmental policy and education in Australia and South Africa. This work is interdisciplinary in nature and this is reflected in Southern Exchange’s commitment to the role that creative industries can play in sustainable development and cultural exchange. In such areas, Anthea has consulted to Price Waterhouse, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Institution of Engineers, Australia, and the University of Cape Town.
Anthea is pleased to work with some of South Africa’s leading artists and creative sector organisations, including David Krut Projects, KAROSS, Art for Humanity, Paul Weinberg and the Centre for Curating the Archive, University of Cape Town, and Ilulwane Craft.
Anthea returned to Sydney to live in early 2008 and has established the Australian office of the business.
Georgie Bruce
 Georgie Bruce has lived in South Korea and Australia and brings 15 years’ experience in event management and arts management to Hong Kong, with a strong focus on contemporary Aboriginal art. Georgie’s love and appreciation of Aboriginal art, developed from her upbringing in rural Australia which made her aware of many cultural dynamics relevant to the art form.
Prior to moving to Seoul 2004, she ran her own company in Sydney Australia for nine years and worked closely with the creative sector, having consulted to the Australian National Gallery in Canberra, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
In 2006, she curated and presented the first Contemporary Aboriginal Art exhibition to be held in South Korea, Sisters Dreaming at the Kwanhoon Gallery, Insadong, Seoul. This exhibition showcased work by six of Australia's leading female Aboriginal artists and was received with great acclaim.
In October 2007, Georgie presented a larger exhibition Desert Masters at Gallery Sejul in Pyungchang-dong, Seoul, opened by the Australian Ambassador to Korea HE Peter Rowe. This exhibition received allot of attention from a range of sectors including art institutions, educational bodies and media.
Other projects in 2007 included The Australian Art Gallery, for the Australian Embassy, Australia Day Celebrations 2007, Seoul; presentation of Aboriginal works at the EBS Documentary Film Festival Australian Day Reception; Southern Spirits at the Millenium Hilton Hotel, and the presentation of Australian and South African works on paper at SIPA 2007- Seoul International Print, Photo & Edition Works Art Fair.
Georgie moved to Hong Kong in early 2008 and has established the Hong Kong office of the business. |
About Us