Alison | et al Gallery & Studio
A cup of tea with a luscious piece of cake that looks good enough to eat, a Willy Wagtail perched against a lemon background and Pandanus swaying in the foreshore breeze are just some of the vibrant and eclectic works found in Alison’s gallery space – et al Gallery & Studio.
Alison has built something more than a place to display art - it has become a learning hub and a community where artists can find their voice and improve their practice.
“I wanted to show artists that they can ask for better and we can do better, and I wanted to help raise that level of professionalism at the community arts level as well for those artists who are really wanting to make a career out of their art.”
Alison filled a niche in the market - a missing link in the transition from formal art education to professional practice.
The workshops and community connection offered at et al aim to bridge that gap, covering topics such as social media for artists, writing about art and the business side of creative practice.
Her cohort model fosters collaboration rather than competition.
“The artists bond together and attend each other’s events, shout each other out on social media, and build connections that take them beyond this space.”
With a background in environmental science, video art, and large-scale installations, Alison has embraced a wide spectrum of creative outlets and endeavours, but her connection with Recovered Futures began just last year.
“I’d always wanted to apply but I was too nervous and last year I finally was like – this is it, just do the thing!”
“I had checked my submissions, making sure they were labelled properly, bubble wrapped and then dropping it off came with a great sense of achievement – I dropped it off and I’m like ‘yes, I did it!’”
The experience of seeing her work hung among so many others, each with its own story, was deeply moving.
“People put so much pressure on selling their work, but sometimes having it seen is enough. The joy is in the moment and that shared experience with other artists. I went to opening night with two other artists who were exhibiting, and we felt like rock star artists!”
Alison exhibited two works called She Struggled and She Fell, both created with ink and striking red and black colourways.
These works came from a larger solo exhibition made up of 12 pieces and she describes the collection as a visual diary of her mental health journey, presented in a narrative format like a graphic novel.
“It was a really tidy way of doing it, the structure helped me make sense of my own experiences.”
“She Struggled was a multiplicity of little stories of triumph and shame, joy and depression. It was about wanting to hide but also wanting to be seen and always struggling to get out of what very much felt like a trap box of my own mind.”
Looking forward, Alison is embarking on a new series: Landscapes That Changed Me, a reflection on places that have left a lasting imprint on her life. From the windswept dunes of Moreton Island, where she spent childhood summers, to the urban streetscapes of Melbourne, each piece will explore how place and memory intertwine and will be part of a larger exhibition with invited artists.
Whether mentoring emerging artists, experimenting with new printmaking techniques, or curating shows that challenge norms and conventions, Alison is proof that art is not just about creation—it’s about sharing stories, community, growth, and resilience.
As artist applications for 2025 Recovered Futures draw closer, Alison encourages artists to be brave and put their work into the world.
“Feel the fear but walk through it anyway.”
Et al Gallery and Studio is open Thursday to Saturday 10am to 4pm at Shop/10 Fifth Ave, Sandgate. You can find the workshop schedule and exhibition information on the website or social media channels. Et Al Gallery and Studio
Recovered Futures applications for 2025 will open Monday 7 April and all information regarding applications will be available on social media channels or the website.