Gurrier: Celebrating 20 Years of Mother’s Tankstation Through the Art of Collecting

Mother’s Tankstation, the Dublin-based gallery located on Watling Street, is currently marking its 20-year anniversary with a unique exhibition titled Gurrier. Rather than a standard retrospective, this group show offers a glimpse into the personal collections of the gallery’s founding directors, Finola Jones and David Godbold. The exhibition explores the intimate relationship between the collector and the artwork, framing the act of collecting as a labor of love and a shared experience.

The Philosophy of Collecting

The Gurrier exhibition emphasizes that collecting art, outside of corporate or museum environments, is a profoundly personal endeavor. The gallery posits that collectors are not merely owners, but custodians of the work. This perspective shifts the focus away from proprietorship or the curated identity often seen on social media, instead highlighting the symbiotic and often unexpected nature of living with art.

According to a review by The Irish Times, the exhibition’s domestic atmosphere—underscored by the presence of a wood-burning stove upon entering the gallery—reflects this desire to live among artworks that “cast their particular spell.”

Featured Artists and Works

The exhibition showcases a diverse array of media, ranging from oil paintings and fabric dolls to complex installations and video loops. Notable works included in the show are:

• Michael Dumontier – Royal Art Lodge: A series of fabric dolls, including Numerator (2004), Doyle (2020), Tacit (2003), and Mostro (2003).
• Nina Canell: Flat Earth (2009), a variable installation utilizing neon, cable, and 1000V.
• Yuko Mohri: Decomposition (2023), featuring a 1950s Danish Sewing Box with LED lights illuminated by fruits.
• Hannah Levy: An untitled work created from nickel-plated steel and silicone (2018).
• Trevor Yeung: Overprotected Cacti (12 cm) (2024), which incorporates blowfish, mineral pigment, aquarium sand, and recycled rubber.
• Other contributors: The exhibition also features works by Prudence Flint, Jannis Varelas, Peter Stichbury, Uri Aran, Matt Bollinger, William Schaeuble, and A. Mac Giolla Bhríde.

Key Takeaways

• Anniversary: The exhibition celebrates 20 years of Mother’s Tankstation.
• Curatorial Approach: Works are drawn from the personal collections of directors Finola Jones and David Godbold.
• Dates: The exhibition runs from March 19 to April 25, 2026.
• Core Theme: The role of the collector as a crucial element of the commercial art market and a custodian of creative expression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mother’s Tankstation located?
The gallery is located on Watling Street in Dublin, with additional event listings associated with a London location at Dressage Court, Bethnal Green.

What is the significance of the title “Gurrier”?
The exhibition serves as a reflection on the gallery’s history and a celebration of the art of collecting itself, treating the process as an expression of faith in the artwork.

Conclusion

By opening their private collections to the public, Finola Jones and David Godbold provide a transparent look at the motivations driving the commercial art world. Gurrier transforms the “white cube” of the gallery into a more domestic, intimate space, reminding viewers that art is not just an investment, but an essential partnership between the creator and the custodian.