Art scene secrets: inside Sydney's edgiest gallery

Nestled in a Surry Hills warehouse is one of Sydney's best-respected art spaces, China Heights Gallery and Studio. Three storeys up from street level, it's where you'll find the hip crowd gathering for monthly opening nights and the chance to spy the art world's next big thing. I asked China Heights' co-founder and all-round good guy Edward Woodley a few questions about the gallery.

1. How did China Heights start?

The gallery was born from a need for a creative hub where artists could develop work to exhibit with other like-minded individuals. With the vision and guidance of conceptual artist Michael Sharp, who's based in New York, Mark Drew and I co-founded China Heights with Benji Phillips.

2. When was your first show and who exhibited?

For the first year our shows were focused on music and fashion but this soon transcended into the Space Odyssey exhibition by Zap Galaxy in November 2004.

3. What's the highest priced artwork you've sold so far?

It was five figures.

Related story: 7 things you didn't know about Dion Horstmans

4. What's been your biggest show?

There's not one particular show that stands out, but our exhibitions with artists Mike O'Meally and Mark Whalen are really memorable.

5. How many people have been through the gallery since you opened?

Close to 100,000 people.

6. What's next for China Heights?

We've got an exciting exhibition schedule for 2015-2016 as well as several upcoming exhibitions planned for the US.

Related story: Artist in residence: Brooklyn Whelan

7. Any favourite last words?

"Ignore ignorance. Practice patience." - Joel Birch, vocalist for The Amity Affliction and China Heights studio artist.

Related story: Natural beauty: how the fashion landscape is literally changing