GEMMA DONNELLAN

Contemporary Artist, Cultural Entrepreneur & Creative

 

Visionary

Gemma Donnellan is a Melbourne-based contemporary artist and cultural entrepreneur whose 25-year career exemplifies the power of project-driven creative practice. Distinguished by her ability to conceive, develop, and execute ambitious cultural initiatives, Donnellan operates at the intersection of fine art, curation, and community building—creating lasting impact through each carefully orchestrated endeavor.

 

ARTISTIC PRACTICE & RECOGNITION

 

Formally trained at RMIT University in Visual Arts (Printmaking and Painting, 2004-2005), Donnellan's multidisciplinary practice explores themes of memory, luminescence, and the enduring resonance of material objects. Her acclaimed "Crystal Collection" represents years of studio investigation into inherited objects as vessels of generational experience—positioning crystal as "silent, shimmering archives" of cultural memory.

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Donnellan's works are held in prestigious institutional collections including St Vincent's Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, alongside notable private collections such as fashion icon Adele Palmer's. Her painting "A New Beginning" serves as the permanent centerpiece of St Vincent's Hospital's state-of-the-art aged care facility, designed by Lyons Architects. The institution has adopted the artwork's image for their bereavement cards, testament to the work's profound emotional resonance.

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Exhibition highlights include six solo presentations across Melbourne's established venues, from Level 11 Gallery (Flinders Lane) to Gallery 550 (Richmond). Her 2016 Archibald Portrait Prize entry garnered national television coverage, while her work "Taller Poppies" achieved finalist status at the prestigious Cromwell's Art Prize before selling at auction. Leonard Joel Auction House has represented her work, cementing her position within Melbourne's serious contemporary art market.

 

CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & PROJECT LEADERSHIP

 

In 2023, Donnellan founded Art for Today, transforming her decade-plus experience as a Swan Street Studios member into Melbourne's most innovative contemporary art advisory. The venture represents over 25 of the city's finest artists while pioneering new models of collector engagement and artist support.

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Art for Today's signature initiatives demonstrate Donnellan's mastery of project conception and execution:

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• Curated Exhibitions: Six major group shows featuring 20+ artists each, establishing new standards for collaborative artist representation

• "Meet the Talent" Industry Events: Exclusive gatherings connecting interior designers, architects, and collectors with emerging artists

• Corporate Art Programs: Bespoke cultural initiatives for Melbourne's leading businesses, integrating contemporary art into professional environments

 

The Reciprocity Movement, Donnellan's pioneering women's networking initiative, exemplifies her ability to identify cultural needs and create sustainable solutions. These quarterly events combine art exhibitions with thought leadership, building authentic professional connections while supporting emerging artists.

 

STRATEGIC CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

Donnellan's project-based approach extends to significant cultural and philanthropic initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she conceived and executed "Art-19," a fundraising auction supporting Berry Street's work with vulnerable communities. Her collaboration with St Vincent's Hospital on the "Hallways of Love" project transformed clinical spaces through large-scale artistic interventions.

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Institutional partnerships reflect her strategic thinking and execution capabilities. Her work with Monsalvat (Pat Cronin Foundation), art direction for St Clement of Rome's public mural project, and ongoing corporate cultural programming demonstrate her ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments while delivering meaningful artistic outcomes.

 

PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION & VISION

Donnellan's pre-art career across leading firms including KPMG, ANZ, Telstra, and architectural practices ARM and Spowers provides the strategic foundation underlying her cultural projects. This dual expertise—combining deep artistic practice with sophisticated business acumen—enables her to conceptualize and realize initiatives others cannot execute.

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Her two-year London residency expanded her global perspective on contemporary art markets and cultural programming, insights that inform Art for Today's international outlook and collector engagement strategies.

 

CURRENT TRAJECTORY

 

Today, Donnellan operates as both practicing artist and cultural catalyst, developing projects that advance Melbourne's contemporary art ecosystem. Her September 2025 "Prisms of Light: The Crystal Collection" exhibition represents the culmination of years-long artistic investigation, while Art for Today continues expanding its artist representation and collector services.

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Each project—whether solo exhibition, collaborative venture, or cultural initiative—reflects Donnellan's commitment to creating lasting value for artists, collectors, and communities. Her practice demonstrates that contemporary art's future lies in innovative, relationship-driven approaches that honor both artistic integrity and commercial viability.

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Donnellan's trajectory illustrates the evolution of 21st-century artistic practice: from individual studio work to comprehensive cultural leadership, creating sustainable ecosystems where art, community, and commerce converge in meaningful ways.