Melbourne’s Helen Gory Galerie has done a gallery swap with Sydney’s ARI (Artists’ Run Initiative) MOP Projects. Note: shows finish this week. The MOP Projects space in Chippendale is given over to an interesting range of artists including Abbey McCulloch – loved Tim Moore’s quirky embroidery, and an airbrushed tree painting (beautifully executed) by Marcel Cousins made me keen to see more of his work. ATL hasn’t got to see first hand what MOP Projects has done with the Helen Gory space but their line up is intriguing. www.helengory.com

Above: Marcel Cousins 2010 Tree in a city park. Helen Gorie Galerie at MOP Projects, Sydney.

Michael Zavros’ show at Melbourne’s Sophie Gannon Gallery has stayed in my head since I visited the day after the opening, especially the virtuoso drawing “The Wanderer”. (There’s an article on him in the current Art & Australia quarterly magazine, btw.) The exhibition also finishes this week. www.sophiegannongallery.com.au

From top and clockwise: Rochelle Haley & Monika Behrens, Belladonna Bitch, 2011. Ron Adams, The Great Defender (Yellow) 2011 both at MOP Projects at Helen Gory Galerie, Melbourne. Adam Laerkesen, ‘I’m angry, I'm wise and you, you're under cloudy skies' - Robert Forster, (detail), Anita Traverso Gallery. Abbey McCulloch, ‘Of Things to Come’, Helen Gorie Galerie at MOP Projects, Sydney. Drew Bickford, TWO SIX ONE NINE, 2010, at MOP Projects at Helen Gory Galerie, Melbourne.

Next door is John Buckley Gallery with an important solo show by John Firth Smith www.johnbuckleygallery.com and across the road in Albert Street (this is a great Melbourne art hub) cool young artist Adam Laerkeson at Anita Traverso Gallery runs till the end of the month (he was recently profiled on Australian TV on ABC’s Art Nation). www.anitatraversogallery.com.au

In Darwin, I loved the Angelina George canvasses at Karen Brown Gallery www.karenbrowngallery.com & interesting new work at the CHAN Contemporary Art Space www.nt.gov.au/nreta/arts/ccas/eventsprogram.html with the Togart Contemporary Art Award (all entries for sale).

Brisbane gallerist Edwina Corlette has been in New York, informative updates on facebook (amazing Nick Cave soundsuits at Mary Boone in Chelsea www.maryboonegallery.com). Back on her home turf, there’s young artist Kate Tucker coming up, and Julian Meagher in mid October. www.edwinacorlette.com

Sydney’s Annandale Galleries is holding an exhibition of new works by the wonderful, world-renowned John Mawurnjul - opening 4th October but it’s essential to get in touch for a preview if you’re keen to purchase. www.annandalegalleries.com.au

- SB