In a world where overnight queues usually means Taylor Swift tickets or the latest technology about to be released, a quiet line of devoted art lovers have been camping outside Handmark Gallery in Salamanca for the past five nights.
The group is queuing to make sure they secure a painting by beloved Tasmanian artist Michael McWilliams.
Gallery owner Allanah Dopson said the enthusiasm speaks volumes about the power of visual art, even in uncertain times.
“Isn’t it wonderful that here is an artist, a visual artist in Tasmania, and it’s not Taylor Swift or Wimbledon or an iPhone?” she told Pulse.
Michael McWilliams’ paintings will go on sale Friday morning at the gallery. Image / Mark Wells (File)
“These paintings bring so much joy to everyone. And boy, our world needs joy at the moment.”
The passionate queue has formed along Salamanca Place, with some enthusiasts braving Tasmania’s wind and rain for up to five days to be first through the gallery doors on Friday.
Art lovers have camped outside Handmark Gallery for five days in Salamanca. Image / Pulse
The first hopeful arrived on Sunday afternoon, since then the line has grown to around 15 people, including visitors who have flown in from interstate.
“There were six people sleeping [on Wednesday night] and now the crowd has grown to about 15 people,” Dopson said yesterday.
“And they’re all getting on like a house on fire. It’s just the most wonderful atmosphere outside Handmark.”
“I don’t know whether it will be at two in the morning, but spirits are very high.”
Art collectors have slept overnight in the Hobart weather to buy one of McWilliams’ paintings
Queenslander Jessica Midson set up camp outside the gallery with her friend Sam on Thursday morning, offloading a couch from their car to keep themselves comfortable on the footpath.
She said the commitment from the people camped out shows “the undying love that some particular beautiful people have towards art”.
“It’s just beautiful, like where else would you rather be,” she told Pulse.
“It’s such a great opportunity just to be sat here and enjoying the sunshine, the rain, the clouds … and for very beautiful art as well.”
Jessica Midson and her friend Sam set up a couch outside the gallery on Thursday morning. Image / Pulse
“It’s really lovely to be a part of.”
Dopson said people travelled “from everywhere” to see Michael McWilliams’s exhibition at Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery last year, and now this is a chance to purchase one of his new works.
The Longford-based artist is known for works celebrating Tasmania’s nature and wildlife.
Handmark Gallery has represented McWilliams for 20 years.
Art collectors have slept overnight in the Hobart weather to buy one of McWilliams’ paintings
“This is next level, you know, camping out from about five days before,” Dopson said.
“Obviously the first person is a complete devotee of Michael’s work.”
19 of his paintings will be on sale at the gallery from 9am on Friday, with an exhibition of his work officially opening at 5pm.
“The cheapest is $5,000 and the most expensive is $64,000,” Dopson said.
Michael McWilliams’ paintings will go on sale Friday morning at the gallery
McWilliams said the Tasmanian landscape and its native and introduced fauna and flora were major themes in his work.
“It’s sometimes fun, but frequently with an environmental message, or an animal rights and welfare consideration,” he said.
“The message can often be distressing, but the image is tempered with humour, which allows the idea to be pondered by a wider audience.”
The exhibition runs from Friday at Handmark Gallery, Salamanca Place.