Art dealer Rex Irwin lists Surry Hills terrace

The long-time Surry Hills terrace of the veteran art dealer Rex Irwin has been listed for sale.

It ties in with his intended late 2016 retirement, after having turned 75.

He remains until then at the Olsen Irwin gallery in Woollahra, with his business partner, Tim Olsen.

Irwin, who was born in India in 1941, studied in England where he went into the wine trade.

It was in the early 1960s that he turned to art.

The purchase of the three level Surry Hills terrace came in 1968 costing $10,000.

The three bedroom, two bathroom Mort Street property goes to auction on May 9 through John Knott at Laing & Simmons Woollahra who has given $1.75 million price guidance.

It is likely to sell to a family who want proximity to the primary and secondary schools. 

"I want to find a cottage on the South Coast," he said.

"Something like a former school house where I can just read.

"There will be no book coming from me," he proclaims.

His lasting artist/gallery relationships have been with the local painter, Nicholas Harding and internationally with the German-born, British painter, Lucian Freud.

He laments modern art selling saying it had become far less personal.

"I've tried changing with it, but maybe I am of the past.

"The art buyers have seen the work on the website, they come in, say that it is marvellous and then pay with a card.

"In day past I'd make a pot of coffee and have a conversation."

This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.