An Enigma Turned Home

Jugglers

An Enigma turned home

Words by Sarge

In the early 2000’s, unless you drove an Audi and lived on the hill in Hamilton the Brisbane art scene seemed somewhat non-existent. That was until you stumbled across Jugglers. It was a beautiful, grimy, graffiti littered space in the heart of Fortitude Valley. It had rad studios for artists, two main gallery spaces, a small bar and shop and a huge courtyard out back. It was an artist’s paradise.

I had graduated art school in 2000 and after a stint overseas was desperate to get back to painting and creating, I needed an art crew. By chance I stumbled across a punk art show in West End in a small gallery /studio space called S & M studios. I was hooked and immediately asked to join the residency. I had found my people; artists, musicians, punks, misfits, provocateurs of change. My world had opened up exponentially and soon after, I quickly found other spaces that these artists were frequenting. One space in particular was Jugglers. It was bigger, better and far more shit together than our space but completely welcoming. I’d set myself a goal and that was to have my work shown there.

Jugglers were regularly hosting group and solo shows so I took a chance and applied for one. Long story short I was accepted and so began a long and rewarding affiliation and a conduit through which I met a multitude of artistic peers, forming lifelong friendships. It was Jugglers that inspired me to open my own artist run initiative and other small galleries and ARI’s have blossomed in similar fashion thanks to the standard Juggers set. Jugglers created a legacy for Brisbane artists and has been an integral tool in bringing the arts to the people. Thank you