What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5am Friday 10am - 5am Saturday 10am - 4am

Despard Gallery

Home
Australia
Hobart, TAS
Despard Gallery

Despard Gallery represents Tasmanian, National and international artists. Established in 1985 on Despard Street, Hobart.

Despard Gallery has been an established commercial art space in Hobart, Tasmania for 30 years. Throughout this time the gallery has lead the way for contemporary arts practice through an extensive exhibition program, including large scale international exhibitions in New York and Chicago. With this extensive history and experience Despard is set to realise a fresh new vision in a new, purpose-buil

t above the original gallery in historic, central Hobart. In collaboration with Field Labs architect, James Wilson, Despard Gallery has designed a world-class exhibition space to present the best of Tasmanian art. Originally constructed in 1837 and sensitively restored using modern industrial fittings and finishes, the design has preserved many of the original markings from the convict nails to vintage graffiti. The new exhibition space represents a shift in vision. Through a monthly exhibition program of contemporary art, Despard strives to create an art experience that is stimulating, relevant and reflective of Australian creative culture while not shying away from topical issues. Gallery Director, Steven Joyce is passionate about art and offers discerning advice through the market with confidence. The gallery delivers a highly personalised approach that draws on well-established relationships with artists and curators. Despard aims to deliver the most desirable and highest quality works from both established and emerging artists nationally and internationally. The gallery will now be able to offer the creative community a unique venue to hire, valuations of modern works of art, furniture and design objects. For years, Steven has also offered private art consultancy for businesses and individuals, a personalised service offered to clients with a specified outcome in mind.

02/09/2026

T H A N K Y O U Despard would like to extend a wholehearted thank you to everyone who attended the very special opening event last Friday in celebration of Zoe Grey’s solo exhibition ‘Out Of The Blue’.
It was a fantastic turn out with many clients, friends and family enjoying the exhibition and to be there to support Zoe on what has been a very important and heartfelt exhibition journey. We would like to extend big congratulations to Zoe for such an amazing and strong new body of work and look forward to haring the work with visitors over the course of the exhibition.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to Tasmanian artist and educator Lisa Garland for a very sincere and insightful opening speech.
‘Out Of The Blue’ continues through to Saturday 19 September, with the exhibition available to view in full via our website now, including digital publication and gallery views.
Zoe Grey Lisa Garland

28/08/2026

O P E N I N G T O N I G H T Despard Gallery is pleased to invite you to an Opening Event Tonight (Friday 28 August) to help celebrate the launch of ‘Out Of The Blue’, the highly anticipated fifth solo exhibition by Tasmanian artist Zoe Grey.
‘So, ‘the blue’ is all of this. It’s the process of painting my dear home, a place that seems to only seep deeper into my being as time goes by. It’s the loss of my mother, the stickiness of grief and the way the landscape can console. Much like my experience of the last few years, the paintings are weighted, but they also encompass small yet defiant moments of warmth, light and healing. It turns out these two unlikely friends - joy and sorrow - can sometimes hold hands, and exist together, at the same time.’ – Zoe Grey
To be opened by artist and educator Lisa Garland.
Now available to view in full online via our website. Exhibition concludes Saturday 19 September.
Zoe Grey

26/08/2026

O N V I E W After another big few days of install, our latest exhibition is now on view! Despard is very proud to share the fifth solo expiation by Tasmanian artist Zoe Grey, ‘Out Of The Blue’.
As well as a new series of their bold abstractions, Zoe has created a series of playfully paintings on linen, depicting objects and snippets of text. Through these works, Grey hints at another important aspect of their closeness to Marrawah, revealed through memories and treasured moments of warmth shared with her mum. Grey talks about the importance of writing during their ongoing process of healing, especially when painting did not seem feasible. Left unstretched, these paintings are described by Grey as flags. Powerful in their simplicity of composition and message, they inherently carry deeper meaning, both as a form of communication and symbol of identity. For Grey, each flag becomes a link between place and person, drawing on their ability to convey personal messages over vast distances.
Please join us for an Opening Event this Friday 28 August from 5:30pm to congratulate Zoe on another standout body of work.
View the exhibition in full via our website now. Exhibition continues through to 19 September.
Zoe Grey

21/08/2026

U P C O M I N G Despard Gallery is excited to announce ‘Out Of The Blue’ the highly anticipated fifth solo exhibition by Tasmanian artist Zoe Grey.
26 August – 19 September 2026
Underpinning Grey’s new series of paintings is an exploration of how the landscape is seen and experienced through an evolving relationship to place. This includes Grey’s life-long connection held with Marrawah, where she grew up and has recently returned to live after a decade away. This enduring bond is mapped out through paint, every gesture responding to the temperament of the landscape, including its rhythms, textures and significance.
Out of the Blue also marks two important changes in Grey’s methodology, working directly from the source of her inspiration and using painting as a vehicle to navigate grief, after the sudden and devastating loss of her mother. Here, the symbols and motifs within each gesture represent the feelings and familiarity of place, which carry the memory of family. Like the landscape, each painting provides a space for reflection, but also a means to move towards healing.
Preview the exhibition and register you interest via our website now to receive an early catalogue!
Opening event Friday 28 August form 5:30pm
Zoe Grey

14/08/2026

L A S T W E E K Make sure you stop by the gallery this week to view our latest exhibition Bibelot.
The exhibition presents new pieces by both established and emerging artists from the gallery stable, each with unique contributions that celebrating the joy found within the world of small-scale artworks. Inspired by the French word ‘bibelot’, meaning a small object of beauty and rarity, the exhibition features new works by artists Stephen Lees, Ian Parry, Rosella Namok, Fiona Omeenyo, Dale Richards, Michael Eather, Susan Norrie, Philip James Mylecharane & Mathew Simms.
There are also many more precious objects to explore within our ever-changing stockroom.
You can also view in full online now, including an exhibition flipbook catalogue with exhibition text and artist bios.
Exhibition concludes Saturday 22 August.

07/08/2026

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Despard Gallery would like to congratulate both George Kennedy and Harrison Bowe again for being selected as finalists in this year’s Hadley’s Art Prize. It was a great opening event last Friday night hosted by the Hadley’s Hotel, with many of the finalists on hand to meet, chat and enjoy event.
This is Kennedy’s first time as a finalist and Bowe’s fourth, winning the people choice award in 2025. This tops off a fantastic first half of the year for both artists, with Kennedy recently winning the Bay Of Fires Art Prize and Bowe winning the Tattersalls art prize, both announcements only a week apart.
Despard Gallery is very proud of both Kennedy and Bowe, who were introduced into the Despard Gallery stable alongside each other as part of our Young Bloods exhibition back in 2022. They are also two of only five Tasmanian artists that have been selected for this year’s Hadleys prize, which is a well-deserved recognition their unique contributions to the genre of contemporary landscape painting.
The Hadley’s Art Prize Hobart is one of the richest landscape art prizes in Australia, with an acquisitive prize of $100,000, this year being awarded to the amazing Robert Fielding! The annual prize is awarded to a contemporary artist for the best portrayal of the Australian landscape. The finalist’s exhibition is currently being hosted by the Hadley’s Orient Hotel, concluding on the 23 August 2026.
harrison bowe George Harrison Hadley's Art Prize

30/07/2026

O P E N I N G T O N I G H T Please join us for an Opening Event Tonight (Thursday 30 July) to help celebrate the launch of Bibelot, a special group exhibition of small treasures.
Inspired by the French word ‘bibelot’, meaning a small object of beauty and rarity, the exhibition features new works by artists Stephen Lees, Ian Parry, Rosella Namok, Fiona Omeenyo, Dale Richards, Michael Eather, Susan Norrie, Philip James Mylecharane & Mathew Simms.
Opening Event Tonight from 5:30 pm, so please join us to help congratulate each artist on their new work.
Exhibition continues through until 22 August.

29/07/2026

O N V I E W After a couple big days of install, our latest exhibition is now on view in the gallery. With over fifty precious pieces, Bibelot present new works from nine of our artists, each with a unique approach to small scale art.
Inspired by the French word ‘bibelot’, meaning a small object of beauty and rarity, the exhibition offers a space to consider how we ascribe value, whilst reminding us of the wonder that can be found in the smallest of details. Included in the exhibition are new paintings by established Tasmanian artists Stephen Lees and Ian Parry, as well as new paintings and bronze sculptures by Fiona Omeenyo. Phillip James Mylecharane presents a new suite of his portrait and architectural based works, each looking at the complex nature of identity and how we move through space. Completing the exhibition is a new suite of arcadian paintings by Tasmanian artist and craftsman Mathews Simms, returning to painting after a five-year break.
Please join us for an Opening Event Tomorrow, Thursday 30 July from 5:30pm to view these small treasures in person.
View the exhibition in full via our website now. Exhibition continues through to 22 August.
Philip James Mylecharane

24/07/2026

U P C O M I N G E X H I B I T I O N Despard Gallery is excited to present Bibelot, an exhibition of small treasures.
29 July – 22 August 2026
The exhibition presents new pieces by both established and emerging artists from the gallery stable, each with unique contributions that celebrating the joy found within the world of small-scale artworks. Modest yet precious, small-scale artworks establish a unique relationship between artist and viewer, quietly drawing our gaze to share a moment of intimate contemplation.
Inspired by the French word ‘bibelot’, meaning a small object of beauty and rarity, the exhibition features new works by artists Stephen Lees, Ian Parry, Rosella Namok, Fiona Omeenyo, Dale Richards, Michael Eather, Susan Norrie, Philip James Mylecharane & Mathew Simms.
Preview the exhibition now via our website and register you interest to receive a preview catalogue.
Opening event THURSDAY 30 July form 5:30pm
Philip James Mylecharane FireWorks Gallery

23/07/2026

L A S T D A Y S There are only a couple of days left to catch the powerful joint exhibition featuring Tasmanian artists Graham Lang and Sam Wilkinson.
Through their unique creative approaches, each artist finds mutual inspiration in the landscape, including how it can shape personal perception. Similarly, Lang and Wilkinson both look to distil the landscape down to its barest of elements, using paint to condense it into a state of near abstraction and helping to underline its significance. Here, both artists have a shared perspective of its affecting power, something that is both personal, yet is also universally shared. Brought together as an exhibition, the works of Lang and Wilkinson become a powerful reminder of how paint can reveal the many imperceptible layers of the landscape, including how personal experience is part of a broader narrative in understating the human condition.
Make sure you stop by the gallery to view in person. You can view in full online now, including an exhibition flipbook catalogue with exhibition text and personal insights by the artists.
Exhibition concludes this Saturday 25 July.
wilkinsonsammm

Address

15 Castray Esplanade
Hobart, TAS
7000

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5am
Friday	10am - 5am
Saturday	10am - 4am

Telephone

+61362238266

Website

https://linktr.ee/despardgallery

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Despard Gallery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your museum to be the top-listed Museum in Hobart?