After being forced to close its beloved Subiaco location several years ago, Perth's legendary Corner Gallery has made a triumphant comeback just in time for summer. The iconic creative space has reopened as a pop-up venue right next door to the Regal Theatre on Hay Street, bringing back the magic that made it one of Perth's most cherished cultural institutions.
The original Corner Gallery had established itself as one of Perth's most eclectic and vibrant creative hubs over the years. The venue was renowned for hosting an incredibly diverse range of events, from rowdy live music performances to intimate art exhibitions, creative workshops, product launches, and countless memorable late-night gatherings that left visitors wondering how they ended up there. For a few precious months, the dedicated team behind the original space is determined to recreate that special atmosphere and community spirit.
Ahead of the highly anticipated launch party scheduled for Friday, November 14, Alex Miller, the visionary behind The Corner Gallery, shared his reflections on the chaos, community connections, and creative energy that defined the original venue. Miller also outlined his ambitious plans for this exciting second chapter of the gallery's story.
When asked about the most memorable moments from the original Corner Gallery's years as a Subiaco institution, Miller's memories painted a vivid picture of the venue's legendary opening night. "The opening night is forever ingrained in my memory, yet I barely remember any of it," Miller recalled with a laugh. "We held a major group show at our other space down the street and what later became The Corner Gallery was the after party. I just remember rocking up to 600 people on the intersection of Olive and Hay Street waiting to get in – we ran out of booze three times, bands playing under the fluoro lights in the ceiling, no PA system, no float in the tills, no water and no idea what we were doing but it was the best time ever."
Another standout memory for Miller was the night Electric Toad performed with an incredible 24 musicians on stage, creating such an energetic atmosphere that the building's power was shut off. "It was pretty hilarious – it was all of Tame Impala, most of POND, and a bunch of iconic Perth musicians that made up the Toad that night," he explained, highlighting the caliber of local talent that regularly graced the gallery's stage.
Miller expressed particular pride in the gallery's commitment to charitable causes, with each show incorporating some form of donation to worthy organizations. His favorite charitable initiative was connected to the last major show held in the original space, called "Eight Inch Blunt." The event raised funds for Spinifex Skateboards, located in Ltyentye Apurte on Eastern Arrernte country, specifically supporting their annual First Nations Skate Tours program that they weren't able to hold that year due to funding constraints.
The program represents something truly special in the skateboarding community, taking 10 young people from the indigenous community to various capital cities where they participate in skating demonstrations, visit specialized skate shops, attend educational workshops, meet other young skaters who share their passion, and gain insight into potential career opportunities in the skateboarding industry. "That one was special to end with because that's where The Corner Gallery started, a bunch of skateboarders and misfits that somehow got a key to a warehouse," Miller reflected on the gallery's humble origins.
The new pop-up space has already begun building momentum with weekly Life Drawing sessions held every Wednesday evening. These sessions offer a relaxed and welcoming environment for both experienced artists and complete beginners. "We run an extremely chilled session for 90 minutes with multiple poses and a break in the middle, each week playing a different record," Miller explained. "Zero experience is required! The best part of the night is when people share their work with each other, have a laugh (or cry) and leave inspired with some new skills."
The life drawing sessions are designed to be completely accessible, with the gallery providing a comprehensive range of charcoals and drawing supplies for participants to choose from. Attendees simply need to bring themselves and their curiosity, making it an ideal entry point for anyone interested in exploring their artistic side or improving their existing skills.
Looking ahead to the summer months, Miller and his team have ambitious plans for the pop-up space that extend far beyond the weekly drawing sessions. "We have a lot of live music shows and exhibitions announced soon for December on our socials and newsletter, one that I'm particularly excited to see is cough Carla Geneve cough," he hinted with barely contained enthusiasm. The team is also working on something significantly larger in scale that they hope to execute before their lease expires, though Miller remained cryptically tight-lipped about the details, only offering the tantalizing hint: "cough Block Party cough."
When discussing his broader vision for what The Corner Gallery can contribute to Perth's creative community during its limited run, Miller's passion for inclusivity and community building became evident. "The Corner Gallery has always been a place for artists, art lovers, people feeling lost, people feeling found, people from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to all feel a part of something, share their ideas, be seen and heard," he explained.
Miller described the original gallery as having naturally evolved into "a home for the underground," a role that he admits happened organically rather than by design. "I don't know how it became that but it took on that role by itself. I just hope that essence can be reignited in the short time we have here, that's all I'd like to see!" he concluded, expressing his hopes for recreating the inclusive, supportive atmosphere that made the original Corner Gallery such a beloved institution in Perth's cultural landscape.
For those interested in following The Corner Gallery's journey and staying updated on upcoming events, exhibitions, and performances, the venue maintains an active presence on Instagram where they regularly share announcements and behind-the-scenes content from their new Hay Street location.
