David Roche Gallery

One of Australia’s most prominent ceramic artists, Jeff Mincham, brings his visual language to ‘Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary’ with ‘The Sisyphus Syndrome’ - a powerful response to Paul Leibküchler's bronze sculpture ‘Sisyphus’ from the collection.

Paul Leibküchler is best known for this bronze model, ‘Sisyphus’, made at the Aktien-Gesellschaft foundry (formerly H. Gladenbeck & Son), located in suburban Berlin. Originally established by Hermann Gladenbeck, this important foundry produced many of the finest small sculptures, along with large statues and monuments, of the period.

Discover more work from incredibly talented South Australian artists and makers in ‘Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary’, on display until 1 August 2026. Free entry.
Images:
Jeff Mincham, ‘The Sisyphus Syndrome- learn to love your rock’, 2026.
Paul Leibküchler ‘Sisyphus’ sculptor, Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck foundry c.1900, Berlin
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Last week, we celebrated David Roche Gallery’s 10th birthday with the official opening of 'Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary' – SA Craft & Design Reimagine the Collection.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and a special thank you to Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and guest speaker Brian Parkes, Chief Executive Officer of JamFactory, for helping make this a memorable evening.

'Making Old New' is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm. Experience the inspiring works of twenty South Australian artists, each responding to a piece from the David Roche Collection in their own unique way. Free entry, exhibition runs until 1 August.

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David Roche Gallery turns 10 today! 🎉 Let's take a look back at some some of the highlights.

Today marks 10 years since David Roche Gallery officially opened its doors to the public, sharing David Roche’s remarkable collection of art and antiques with local, national and international audiences. Over the past decade, more than 70,000 visitors have experienced our exhibitions and guided tours of Fermoy House, discovering the rich diversity of cultures, histories and stories embedded within the House that David Roche left for all to enjoy. The Gallery has also presented more than forty exhibitions, including Arthur Boyd’s astonishingly beautiful St Francis of Assisi tapestries from the National Gallery of Australia, the exquisite botanical drawings of Ellis Rowan and Rosa Fiveash, and the comprehensive Wedgwood: Master Potter to the Universe survey of Wedgwood in Australia. We even established our own Best in Show: Australian Photographic Dog Prize to commemorate David’s extraordinary canine feats.

Thank you to our membership group and everyone who has supported the Gallery over the past ten years and helped continue DRG's vision.

To celebrate this important milestone, 'Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary' brings together works of art from the David Roche collection selected by 20 emerging, mid-career, and senior South Australian artists associated with the and their inspired responses. We hope this special exhibition continues to inspire and engage audiences, just as David intended. Come and celebrate with us, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4 pm. Free entry.

David Roche did not acquire a lot of jewellery for his collection; however, he was very interested in stick pins which were used traditionally to secure a gentleman’s tie.

Over the years he acquired many decorative examples illustrating dogs, horses, monkeys, cameos, flowers and much more. A particularly glamorous example in David’s collection is a stick pin from c.1900 with the Royal monogram of King Wilhelm II of Wurttemberg.

Did you know if judging a dog show, David was always very careful not to wear a dog stick pin in case anyone felt he was favouring a particular breed.

Image: Fermoy House, Stick pin collection, Randy Larcombe Photography.

'Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary' celebrates the intimate relationship between makers both past and present, their materials and their handmade techniques, and offers the possibility of new insights and dialogues between the work of contemporary artists and historical works held in the Gallery. Ten eminent South Australian artists and ten JamFactory alumni from 2016-2026 were invited to select works from the David Roche collection as a departure point to create inspiring new works. The artists had the freedom to assess, discuss, and study works that interested them. Spanning ceramics, glass, jewellery, furniture, and sculpture, the 20 reimagined pieces respond to a variety of collection items. Some artists selected iconic works from the collection, while others were drawn to more humble pieces, all resonating with their own values and passions for creating. See these incredibly talented artists work up close and many more. 'Making Old New' open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Free entry.

Images:
Takeshi Iue, designer, Stephen Bowers, decorator, Chess casket, 2026
Germany, Games table, 1835, David Roche Collection
Lotte Schwerdtfeger, Nerikomi Urn I, Nerikomi Urn III, Nerikomi Urn II, 2026.
Britain, Blue John vase, c.1800, David Roche Collection.
Emma Young, Cheetah poche (one of two) 2026
France, Vide poche torcheres (one of two), 1780-90, David Roche Collection

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Making Old New: DRG 10th Anniversary - Event Information – ArtsHub Australia Presenting ceramics, glass, furniture, and sculpture by some of SA’s most loved artists and exciting up-and-coming talent, the exhibition also draws upon the rich holdings of David Roche's collection.

Happy National Volunteers Week!

This week we celebrate the remarkable volunteers who are such an integral part of David Roche Gallery. Our volunteers bring such a wide variety of skills, knowledge, experience, and joy to the gallery, for which we are very lucky and grateful. As we approach our 10th Anniversary, we thank you for your continued support and commitment which enables DRG to fulfil its vision and uphold its values.

On this day in 1804, the French Sénat conservateur granted Napoleon with the title ‘Emperor of the French.’ This act heralded the end of the French Consulate and the beginning of the French First Empire.

David Roche Gallery is custodian to a distinctive collection of Napoleonic period art and objects. Among these are a personal pistol presented to Napoleon by British sportsman and Francophile Colonel Thomas Thornton; a portrait of Désirée Clary, the one-time fiancée of Napoleon Bonaparte who later became, Queen of Sweden; and a portrait miniature of Napoleon II, son of Napoleon and his second wife Marie-Louise.

A tour of Fermoy House brings you into contact with the artistic and political history of the Napoleonic period. Book your visit today.