Gaffa

I found myself floating through Gaffa Gallery for a free exhibition they were putting on… I must admit that I was skeptical when I read the address: «Clarence Street. Next to the QVB .» Wait, you mean there’s culture on that side of town that doesn’t involve red velvet cupcakes and latte art??? (Not that I don’t love a good icing or latte love heart every now and then)
I thought it would be your typical schmooze event; everyone would be sipping overpriced wine, flabbergasted at how the artist managed to conceptualize a black marker dot on a white canvas, making it into such an elaborate work of creativity. But when I saw from afar the crowd of booze-​slingin hipsters huddled around the door, I perked up a bit and through on an extra coat of red lipstick!
Gaffa Gallery is alight with creativity; an intricate maze of home-​made nick-​nacks, stunnig artwork and wine. Really, REALLY cheap wine! It’s inviting and humble, daring and unassuming.
This three-​floor playground has something for everyone: the first floor belongs to artists’ galleries, showing everything from cardboard purses to bohemian jewlery, handmade stationery to bee-​made honey. On the evening I went, this floor was opened like a «gallery hop,» and you could meander in and out of each of the spaces, chatting with the artists and sampling the delicious delights they had on offer. OH, and the wine is here! They do a glass by a suggested donation of $ 2, and I’d be danmned if you found a cheaper glass in the city.
The second floor is where they hold their exhibitions. There are three large rooms that are constantly showing new artists and new collections. The rooms are bright and airy, with wooden floors and open windows.
The third floor if for workshops and classes, and up from that is a rockin’ rooftop fit for smokers or anyone after a lovely view!
Despite being packed with new energy, some galleries can make you feel stifled; Gaffa is definitely not one of them. Not even for city standards.

A really cool art space, uniquely laid out. It’s a long, tall building, with a central skylight and light-​well that opens the middle section up and lets sunlight descend right to the ground floor hallway.
The separate rooms downstairs make it easy to stage little micro-​shows off that main hall. The larger space upstairs lets you wander amongst the art in a more typical room-​into-​room arrangement.
Near the entrance there’s a shop with some great examples of Australian craftwork, and a café (Klink) open during the day.
I was here for an Elite Event and it was really great for that.

Wild.
What a find this place is. Gaffa gallery is a wonderful chimaera, a three-​story haven for artists and art-​lovers alike. The bottom floor is partitioned into arcade spaces, a rotating roster of eclectic designers, displays and ping pong tables (yep! Just wander in and off you go). Oh, and Klink café of course, purveyors of super smooth coffees. Arm yourself with one of these before embarking on a protracted multi-​level gander.
The 1^st floor is a series of interconnecting galleries awash with treasure — mechanical silver jewellery dripping from wall pegs, avante-​garde paintings, abstract cultural works, an awesome series of diverse displays united beneath the banner of creativity.
A level up are the workshops of artists in residence, well worth checking these out. The whole place is like a mini version of Berlin’s Tacheles, only, you know, not as grungy and with less squatters.
Then there’s the top level patio slash BBQ area slash smokers retreat.
A big part of Gaffa’s mandate is giving a leg up to local artists, something Sydney desperately needs. Every time I come here there’s something different to see and do. So good.

Gaffa is great stopping place for anyone looking for cutting edge design when it comes to art. Their galleries spans over 3 floors with each level having a distinct concept or theme. What’s more is that they also hold workshop and classes for jewellery making and arts. If you’re someone who distastes run-​off-​the-​mill art and is in search of innovation merged with style then you might just want to head on over to see what’s in store for you. Their shop also boasts of well-​defined objects and trinkets that you can’t just find anywhere. It’s one creative experience you wouldn’t want to miss. It’s a pop up space, so you can be guaranteed the curated selection is changed frequently.