Crate 59

Crate59 is an artist-run gallery in Edge Hill, Cairns, bringing together contemporary voices from Far North Queensland. It is a place to visit for changing exhibitions and the conversations that develop around art, rather than a café experience.

The gallery’s featured exhibition, Tropical Distance by Samantha Corbett, explores place, memory and human presence through painting. The work considers reconstructed realities and the uncertainty of places that feel almost familiar, offering visitors an opportunity to spend time with an exhibition centred on atmosphere, recollection and perception.

Crate59 also puts attention on the people behind the work. Its “Meet the Artists” programme is intended to share the ideas and practices that shape the creative space, while visitors are invited to ask about future exhibitions and provide contact details for group shows, including the annual Cairns “Wish You Were Here” Local Artist Exhibition. The listed programme includes exhibitions featuring original art from Japan, repurposed work, process-based practice and several named artists. With its focus on exhibitions and artist conversations, Crate59 suits visitors who want to explore local art in a smaller, community-minded setting, whether visiting independently or as part of an art-focused outing.