The Serpentine Community Gallery is coming of age, turning 18, this Friday night and being celebrated with a special members event that is open to the public. 

The gallery is owned and run by community members. It was started by Corrine Batt-Rawden (Rin), who is now its director. Rin speaks warmly about her experiences with the gallery, the members and the people who visit.

“The gallery is growing up, 18 years of community service for our arts community.”

Eighteen years is a long time to work for any organisation, and Rin revels in the experience saying, “For me personally, it's given me a sense of purpose, sense of place, sense of belonging in my community and utilising my skills.

“I think it (the gallery) is brilliant. I aim to create a safe community space where lots of people could meet. And I thought art was a common denominator that could bring lots of people together.

“It's so lovely to see all different walks of life come through the door, lots of diverse teams of volunteers and management committee and artists and people using the space.

“It's especially heartwarming when the community uses it.”

(Steven Giese and his artwork about overconsumption that will be a part of the Subversion art event celebrating the gallery.)

The history of the gallery extends over a couple of venues.

“We opened up in North Lismore on Bridge Street, next to the Winsome Hotel. Back then, the Winsome was a thriving hub for students and activists and queer community and anyone that was friendly to all different kinds of folk. So it was a beautiful part of town with the Serpentine and the artists.”

During Covid, the move to the current spot occurred, the little triangle of businesses northwest of the Ballina and Wyrallah Road roundabout.

“The building got sold with the big buy-up that was happening around Covid time, and we became homeless. We asked around, and Lifeline threw us a lifeline!”

“It is a great space. It needed a lot of work, but we've been able to transform it into a really beautiful gallery function space.”

(Above: Michael Rogowski and Toto discussing the celebration with Rin. Below: Rin and Zoey in the gallery shop very excited about the birthday exhibition. “The gallery would never have made it without the efforts that Rin has put in. It wouldn’t be what it is.”)

Rin has a passion for the arts and speaks highly of all those involved with the art space, “We are an accessible gallery, so all artists can exhibit here. We don't judge the art. 

“We get first time exhibitors to nationally esteemed artists that use the gallery. So you get a broad range of skill, and technical ability.

“There's something very exciting about first-time artists when they're still raw.

“It's been really exciting to watch many artists bring their first works into the Serpentine and are now having exhibitions all over the place. 

“It's been lovely to watch people's personal creative journeys develop over that time. 

It's been an honour to watch that.”

(Corrine Batt-Rawden and her entry in the exhibition)

The 18th Birthday will be celebrated at the opening of Subversion, a member exhibition open to the general public.  

“We opened the doors of Serpentine on the sixth of October in 2006. Because there are private shows during that time, we decided to host the birthday at one of our member's shows a little earlier.

“Subversion is one of our political program of exhibitions. I think we've had about six political exhibitions in our history, but we haven't had one for quite a while. 

“There seemed to be a time in our community, or maybe even globally, where people weren't comfortable talking about politics as openly as we used to. Maybe during Covid, there was a big shift. 

“I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm starting to see a little bit more political art coming around. And it seemed fitting. 

“I think it's going to be a very powerful exhibition.”

(Pernilla Wendspaap, See no evil hear no evil speak no evil, another artwork to see)

The management committee have put together a party celebration with performers, music and art.

One of the artists on the bill is Michael Rogowski. He is performing light projections showing AI renderings of subversion. He has made 130 of them, and it is intriguing to see how computers interpret the subject.

Flicking through a handful of them, Michael says he quite likes one of the images, so we put it at the front of this article. Rin likes this one:

Michael asked the computer to generate abstract artwork under the title of subversion.

“And that's what I got,” he says.

The variance comes from changes in colour, “That one with a splash of gold and others, mostly inputting different colours. I just call them Subversions.”

(Corrine opens up an artwork by Lisa Bristow - a portrait of Roxy Tickles, a trans lady who has won the right in a court of law to be treated as a woman. You will have to go to the exhibition to see the whole thing)

The gallery is popular, Rin says they are booked until the end of 2025.

The gallery is set up as a not for profit incorporated association, run by elected committee members. It is $50 to become a member and get involved.

Check out the Serpentines Facebook page for details of the exhibition. Performances go from 6pm till 8pm with music to follow.