LONDON.- A British sculptor has won a place in one of Australia’s most important exhibitions as a result of an initiative to introduce the two countries’ art to each other.

Suffolk-based Laurence Edwards will take part in Sculpture by the Sea, Sydney’s largest outdoor sculpture show, in November 2015, thanks to a dynamic three-year alliance that takes its next step in Cork Street at an exhibition that opens on June 24.

The alliance has helped art businesses Messum’s and Mossgreen identify which British works appeal to Australian and Far Eastern buyers and which Australian artists have the ability to develop a British following.

Messum’s are known as specialists in Modern British and Contemporary painting and sculpture as well as for coining the term British Impressionism.

Now, under the guidance of father and son David and Johnny, the dealership have developed the new initiative with Paul Sumner, CEO of Mossgreen, the Melbourne-based fine art and design gallery and auctioneers. It involves the cross promotion of British and Australian artworks at Messum’s Mayfair gallery and Mossgreen’s Armadale rooms to the benefit of buyers and sellers alike.

The idea sprang from discussions between old friends Johnny and Paul, who realised that not only were the UK and Australia potentially excellent sources of each other’s art, but that certain British artists would appeal to Australian buyers and vice versa.

“We are a collaborative business,” says Johnny Messum. “In order to succeed we collaborate with our artists and we work with our clients whether buying or selling. The same is true with our friends in the art business. It is essential to be proactive in developing new markets and helping to foster new relationships. Paul is an old friend and also runs what is now acknowledged as the leading fine arts auction house and gallery in Australia, so it’s an ideal partnership.

“We had a very successful venture that took three tonnes of sculpture to Australia in 2013 called Bronze and Stone. As a venture to capture a new market, probably on reflection something lighter would have been less risky because there was no guarantee.

“So we were committed to the success, shall we say.”

The Australian collectors really responded to the effort and purchased virtually all of the bronze pieces and stones by Dominic Welch and Laurence Edwards.

“Two years later we took a solo show of sculpture by Laurence Edwards. His work, its authenticity and the technical skill involved (he casts Christopher Le Brun’s work for him) has no comparison in Australia. The show was again popular and we sold all of the large pieces and most of the small.”

The invitation to take part in Sculpture by the Sea has proved the ultimate endorsement of the dealers’ investment in the cross-cultural initiative.

Now Paul is bringing Highlights from the Paul Elliott Collection of Australian Art to Cork Street until June 27, and he and Johnny will be available to value other Australian works of art that anyone wants to bring in during that time.

Elliott was a renowned Sydney doctor who built a collection of Australian art, Asian art and tribal artefacts over a lifetime, including works by Brett Whiteley, one of a wave of Australian artists who made a significant impact on the London art scene of the 1960s, and whose paintings will headline the show.

Messum’s are now finding that the Australian platform is also bringing in Chinese buyers, helping them to expand their portfolio.

Paul Sumner, at one time managing director first of Sotheby’s Australia and then of Sotheby’s Olympia, says: “As well as being a highly enjoyable venture, working with Messum’s in this way has given us a fascinating insight into exactly what sort of art crosses the cultural divide in both directions between Australia and the UK. That alone creates all sorts of opportunities and to be holding an exhibition like this in Cork Street at the height of the London season is absolutely ideal.”