Walter’s Gallery

Could a former pub become a hub for avant-garde art? Watters Gallery stands as proof that it can. Frank Watters, a former coal miner, opened Watters Gallery in 1964 on Liverpool Street. Watters, a gay man in a less accepting time, channeled some of his personal struggles into a painting titled “He’s a Queer!”. However, the fear of exposure kept the artwork hidden from public view. Watters rarely painted again. Watters Gallery quickly outgrew its original location. In 1969, it found a new home in a converted 1850s pub on Riley Street. This was right in the heart of Sydney’s then red-light district. Watters Gallery distinguished itself by championing avant-garde sculpture, particularly the works of Bob Klippel. Unlike other galleries, Watters allowed artists to curate their own shows. This gave them unprecedented control over how their work was presented. Watters became known for supporting artists through periods of stylistic evolution, even when it meant losing sales from more traditional art investors. John Peart, for example, experienced this unwavering support. From his teenage years to the twilight of his career, Watters exhibited Peart’s work, even as his style underwent a drastic transformation. Watters Gallery also became a space for emerging talent, showcasing artists like Marr Grounds, co-founder of Sydney’s Tin Sheds art movement. Grounds’ first solo exhibition, “Morphological Structures”, was held at Watters in 1975. He recalled being “treated fantastically” by Watters. Imants Tillers and Aleks Danko are among other notable artists who found a platform at Watters Gallery. The gallery’s legacy is intertwined with the name Tony Tuckson, former Spitfire pilot and deputy director of the Art Gallery of NSW. A staunch supporter of Watters, Tuckson was honored with the gallery’s final exhibition in 2018, a fitting tribute to their long-standing relationship. After 54 years, Watters Gallery closed its doors on November 24, 2018. Frank Watters passed away in May 2020, leaving behind a legacy of artistic courage and an invaluable collection that continues to enrich Australian art history.