INVURT

There seems to be no stopping the Meggs dynamo, and, no sooner has he has finished off touring his most recent solo exhibition, King For A Day, it looks as if he has another one on its way – opening this Friday night in Sydney, for one week only.

Being held at the new, and looking very cool, Lo-fi Collective art space in Darlinghurst, this’ll be another fine showing of works from the talented Melbourne artist.

Who: Meggs
What: Sons of Privilege solo exhibition
Where: 383 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW
When: Friday August 27th, opens @ 6pm. Show runs for one week only.

Check out more info on the show at the Lofi website.

Gifted Queensland bred artist Jae Copp has had a busy artistic career so far, from designing skatewear and starting his own brand, to exhibiting his artistic output in a wide range of shows.

Having worked utilising wood for many years, producing a cool array of works in the process, Jae has branched out into new directions with his upcoming exhibition at Melbournes Gorker Gallery. We caught up with Jae to get the lowdown on what he’s been up to, and what we can expect from what is surely to be a great show …

(more…)

No one can mistake a piece of his work on a wall or in a gallery, and his unique characters and scenes are now somewhat ubiquitous with the rising urban art scene here in Australia. Kyle Hughes-Odgers, aka Creepy, is one of many artists turning the worlds eyes towards our shores.

Having just launched his latest solo exhibition,  “You Just Have Your Eyes Closed” at the Turner gallery in Perth, we figured it was a great time to grab a few words from the man himself and see what he’s been up to in the lead up to the show, and what he has in store for us in the future …

(more…)

So its finally come around, and we got news this morning of the official info for the Everfresh Blackbook release parties. These will be held in both Melbourne and Sydney, and there will also be a release party in Tokyo!

I’ve been looking forward to the book since I first heard about it, and I’m a big fan of the Everfresh crew. From the proofs and photos of it I’ve seen floating all around the web it looks like it’ll be a beautifully designed, informative and visually stunning volume – and, thankfully, the beer gods have smiled on me, as celebrations are kicking on til later in the evening so I can make it down after my own show. Total bonus, and I cant wait.

So, get down there on the 3rd of September, buy a book (or pre-order a special edition hardcover – I did), check out some cool installation stuff and some rad photos by Josh Robenston, listen to some wicked DJs, chat with likeminded peeps, drink some beer – and generally enjoy a great night celebrating all that is good and cool about Australias street art culture, and all the hard work the EF guys have put into contributing to it.

Who: Sync, Rone, Reka, Wonderlust, Phibs, Meggs, Prizm, Makatron, The Tooth
What: Book Launch – Everfresh Blackbook – The Studio & Streets: 2004 – 2010
Where & When:

MELBOURNE: Friday 03 September, 2010. 6-11pm
1000 £ Bend, 361 Lt Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
WWW.EVERFRESHSTUDIO.COM

SYDNEY: Friday 10 September, 2010. 6-9pm
aMBUSH Gallery, 4A James Street, Waterloo.
WWW.AMBUSHGALLERY.COM

TOKYO: Friday 24 September, 6-9pm
PLMLIS Gallery
WWW.PLSMIS.COM
5 minutes walk from Omotesando, exit A4
(see website for map

We all love animals – and if you don’t, well, far be it for me to say that there’s something wrong with you – but, there’s something wrong with you? Personally, I’m an otter fan, but for her first Melbourne solo show,  upcoming Melbourne artist Nicole Tattersall will be helping to bang the drum in support for animal rights, specifically in regards to live sheep exports.

Its always good to see an artist endeavoring to expand and explore these kinds of themes with their art, and, having seen Nicoles art around the traps a fair bit in the past year or two, and knowing its innovative nature, this will be a fun show to see.

“Patchworked” is heavily influenced by the art and craft techniques of times gone by, Australia and a recent trip to Germany. Incorporating these factors with her passion for animal rights and the encouragement of using ones imagination. Working with more illustrative styles both in 2D and 3D formats, has allowed Nicole to get a little darker.

In the exhibition there are 3 illustrations, reflecting upon WSPA’s (World Society for the Protection of Animals) campaign against the live export of sheep.  These illustrations have been designed to be a conversation starter about the topic. Much like most of works planned for “Patchworked”.”

Who: Nicole Tattersall
What: Patchworked solo exhibition
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote
When: Opens 6pm-9pm 17th September, show runs til 30th September

You can check out more about Nicole and her work on her blog. Via Geek Girl & At Large Gallery

Covering stuff outside of Melbourne makes me wish that I had my own private jet – because Project 5 is definitely something that I want to go and check out.

Anything that combines live art of high caliber, music and charity work gets a long round of applause from us, and if you’re in Sydney you should make sure you get down to it, and if you love the art and have the dosh, get down to the auction in October to support the Information and Cultural Exchange charity.

“aMBUSH Gallery and Cockle Bay Wharf are bringing four of Australia’s most defining and individual artists together at Cockle Bay Wharf, for the much anticipated second installment of Project 5 – a live art and music event for charity.

Presenting Sydney with yet another showcase of groundbreaking street art, the Cockle Bay shores at Darling Harbour will be abuzz as the dockside area is transformed into a live art work bench for internationally renowned Australian street artists – Anthony Lister, Meggs, Ears and Webuyyourkids; complete with Future Classic deejays cranking out tunes for all.

From Friday 20 August 6-9pm, and running across the weekend between 12-3pm, the three day outdoor event is a unique chance to see these cutting edge creatives hard at play. Kick back and enjoy being part of the fun and experience as the guys let loose with spray paints, stencils and brushes on four large 2.4m x 1.0m panels. Or catch the live-webcast streaming directly from Cockle Bay Wharf at www.cocklebaywharf.com.au.

Once complete on Sunday 22 at 3pm, the finished one-off works will be sold at Leonard Joel (Sotheby’s Australia) auction house in Double Bay, October 14 (6-9pm) – Australia’s second only ever street art auction. Sure to be a high profile event packed with investors and urban art lovers keen to get their hands on a piece of history in the making; all proceeds from the auction go to charitable arts and media organization Information and Cultural Exchange (I.C.E), who run creative arts programs for disadvantaged youth in Western Sydney.”

Who: Anthony Lister, Meggs, Ears, Webuyyourkids. Future Classic DJs Nathan McLay, Chad Gillard & James McInnes
What: Project 5 Live art & Music Charity event
Where: The Promenade Level, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour, Sydney
When: Friday (6-9pm), Saturday & Sunday, 12-3pm, August 20 – 22, 2010 (Auction October 14, 2010)

Via Everfresh

Fantastic illustration, experimental stitching and paper treatments, cool post-apocalyptic themes and surrealistic excursion? Such is the work of Jae Copp, a man who has been featured in various publications, sites and has already had work in a huge range of shows.

His upcoming solo exhibition at Gorker Gallery, My Illusions Architect, looks to be a wonderfully varied and innovative showcase of this mans work – and its right up our alley.

"My Illusions Architect" is a new series of works that sees the introduction of a dramatic and exciting turn in direction for Jae Copp. For the past 12 months Jae has undergone an experimentation process of both, medium and technical skills, involving various paper treatments, hand stitching and intricate brush based illustrations. Jae has long used allegories and abstract twists to take personal and social views both, good and bad out of context, into a surreal, and at times almost semi- nonsensical way. Through this series the artist evokes stories of a non-definitive space in time that reflect a post- apocalyptic era, as central figures take form to mimic learning’s of a bygone civilization, in pursuit of redeeming social harmony, respect and understanding for one another and responsibility for the planet they now inhabit. Armed to the teeth with the much needed strength and environmental compassion, his characters begin repairs on the broken in prospects of a new beginning.”

Who: Jae Copp
What: My Illusions Architect – Solo Exhibition
Where: Gorker Gallery, 395 Gore Street, Corner of Gore and Kerr, Fitzroy, Victoria
When: Opens Thursday September 2nd, show runs til the 19th September

You can check out Jae’s blog here, and also go and get onboard at the events facebook page.

Following on from his solo show here in Melbourne, Beastman teams up with central coast bred, Sydney based artist Luke Taaffe for their duo show, Brave New Worlds, comin up at the end of the week in Brisbane.

“Brave New Worlds’ is an exhibition of new artwork by Beastman and luke taaffe. After many years of friendship, these now established and prolific Australian artists are coming together for an exhibition exploring their two very distinct artistic styles, featuring paintings that portray alternate worlds, their inhabitants and surrounding natural environments.”

Who: Luke Taafe & Beastman
What: Brave New Worlds duo show
Where: nine lives gallery, 694a Ann st (carpark behind Bowery), fortitude valley (Brisbane)
When: Opens Thursday 19th August @ 6pm, show runs until 31st August

Check out Beastmans website, as well as the interview we did with him recently, and also take a look at Luke Taafes blog – some amazing work on show at both.

Via WeAREtheIMAGEmakers

The guys organising the upcoming Sweet Street festival have put an open invitation out for people who are interested in getting involved with the festivities. Any who are interested in helping out at the festival can attend a meeting they are putting on at the Collingwood Underground, Saturday 28th August, from 4pm til 6pm.

From the festival committee:

“Do you want to be involved with the festival but not sure how?

The Sweet Streets Team is holding an Artists’ Gathering on Saturday the 28th August at the Collingwood Underground. We invite all artists to come along if you want to get a bit more info on the festival, and express your interest in various festival activities such as – live painting, collaborations, open studios, workshops, forums, the film night, or your own project.  So come along for a bit of a BBQ, some beers, and meet the other artists and the festival team involved this year!”

More info on the Sweet Streets website – if you’re interested in helping them make this the best festival yet, make sure you get down there on the day!

This has been up at a few places for a while, and flyers and facebook page have been out, but I held off posting here or promo-ing on here for a little bit – I try to keep this blog separate from any personal stuff I have going on – but its an exhibition, and its coming up, so here it is.

My first solo exhibition, Inhabited Times, will be showing at At Large Gallery in Northcote on September 3rd – its something I’ve been working on for, well, almost a decade or so of writing and drawing, so it has a fair bit of a back story to it – and you can find more details on at www.irikanji.com. The show burrows heavily from my love of scifi concepts, as well as a lot of research and my interest in the last few years on Singularity Theory.

This is, I think, the same night as the EF Book launch (alas for minor clashes), which is going to be grand, and I’ll be heading to that straight afterwards – so you should all make a night of it as well!

I’m pretty excited to be able to show a range of my work for the first time, outside of a few group shows here and there, and, of course, looking forward to getting my beer on on the night.

"Inhabited Times" is the first solo exhibition from Fletcher Andersen, presenting both new and unexhibited works from a vast, conceptual world building project over a decade in the making.

Fletcher, out of Perth and now Melbourne-based, has steadily built the dark, solar system spanning demesne of The Known. Adrift with the remnants of a technologically-rich past, wandered by the disparate remains of a xenophobic humanity; the remnants of the failed Singularity struggles to discover a route with which to rebuild life, albeit hyper-evolved.

Shining a light on humanity and its absorption of technology, Fletcher marks our vicissitudes in bionics, nanotechnology and artificial intelligence. He draws upon Singularity Theory, the concept that the pace of technological development approaches a crescendo whereat life inevitably transforms to accommodate advances in science – irrevocably altering civilisation, society and the biosystem.

Presenting a wide range of illustrations, prints and visuals, Inhabited Times is the first exploration into the vagaries, alternatives and deviations of a future civilisation in which the concept of humanity is a lost, idiosyncratic aberrative.”

Who: Fletcher Andersen   
What: Inhabited Times solo exhibition
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote
When: Friday 3rd September, opening 6pm – 9pm. Show runs to September 16th

So please check out the facebook page, as well as the website for more details and background to the concept behind the show (and to make sense of that nerd-speak haha).

Following on from their successful opening with the Meggs sole exibition, Backwoods have something new and cool up their sleeves with the opening of Josh Robenstones latest solo exhibition – urban photography at its finest.

“NY/LA and other American Adventures’ is a retrospective journey and a portrait of contemporary American society, telling a story that is both fact and fiction. This abstract portrayal of the American way of life weaves together day to day experiences and encounters that span two decades.

LA’s gaping wide roads and obscurely narrow footpaths confirm the dominance of the motor vehicle. The city is shrouded in smog, but the bright sunshine makes you forget. In New York, a different pace and feeling. A city of people and interaction. Faces all day on the crowded footpaths, vibrant and engaged. The contrast between America’s two largest cities feeds a desire to look beneath the surface at the fringes of American society for further understanding.

Shot over numerous trips from 1990 – 2010, Josh Robenstone’s NY/LA and other American Adventures will be on display at Backwoods Gallery from Friday the 20th of August until September 1st 2010.”

Who: Josh Robenstone
What: NY/LA and other American Journeys solo show
Where: Backwoods Gallery, upstairs (rear of side alley), 25 Easey St Collingwood
When: Opens Friday 20th August, 6pm to 9pm, show runs til 1st September

Via Backwoods Gallery

Ah, I love Semi Permanent, and am definitely making my way there after having missed the last one. The lineup looks great so far, but even more awesomeness to come from rumours I’ve heard …

If you’re at all creative or into the whole creative process, or just want to check out cool creative shit, this is the place to be. Lots of live art, cool talks, cool people.

Be there!

Who: Beastman, Timba Smits, Leif Podhajsky, Buck, Big Active, Andy Jenkins, Framestore, Claire Martin, United Visual Artist, Akin Creative, and Pixar!
What: Semi Permanent Melbourne – Design Conference
Where: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (Southbank, Melbourne)
When: 17th to 18th September 2010

Check out the Melbourne SP site here

After his last successful show with Hans DC at Revolver, Drewfunk looks like he’s got another live painting show on towards the end of the month – this time at the MASK001 gig, with JPS.

I love live painting gigs – great to see him doing another one, and really hope this turns into a general trend. Great art set to great tunes, what more could you want?

Who: Drewfunk and JPS
What: Live painting and music
Where: Roxannes Parlour, Coverlid Place, Melbourne
When: Friday August 20th, 2010

Almost missed this one! Opening tonight at Gorker Gallery, there is a touring exhibition from the guys who do the Ala Champfest magazine. With pieces from D*Face, French, Gary Seaman, Nior, Jacob Knill, Kate Gagliardi, Jesse Olsen, Word To MJother and Ronzo – as well as a bunch of photographs from the mag, including Sanna Charles, Rip Zinger, Ben Rayner, Ryan Hopkins, Massan Fluker, Sexysushi, Ray Potes, Jonathan Winstone, Trevor Traynor, Amanda Lopez  this is a good chance to check out some international stuff that’s been making its way through Europe.

Invitation is apparently by RSVP only by emailing rsvp@alachampfest.com

Who: D*Face, French, Gary Seaman, Nior, Jacob Knill, Kate Gagliardi, Jesse Olsen, Word To Mother, Ronzo, Sanna Charles, Rip Zinger, Ben Rayner, Ryan Hopkins, Massan Fluker, Sexysushi, Ray Potes, Jonathan Winstone, Trevor Traynor, Amanda Lopez 
What: Ala Champfest Touring Exhibition
Where: Gorker Gallery,  395-397 Gore St, Fitzroy, corner Gore and Kerr St
When: Friday August 13th 6pm – 9pm

Check out the Ala Champfest website for more details on the mag.

For those of you reading back in my old stomping grounds of P-town, you have a really cool opportunity tomorrow night to go and see one of our cities acclaimed artists, Kyle “Creepy” Hughes-Odgers, opening his solo show “You Just Have Your Eyes Closed” at the Turner Gallery in Northbridge.

Creepy has generated a lot of interest in his wprk the past few yers, both here at home and overseas. Hes been published in Wooden Toy, King Brown, Empty and Relative magazines, and his work had adorned walls and shows across the globe.

“Kyle Hughes-Odgers working approach encompasses a range of mediums – primarily muted, earthy and warm acrylics on wood finished with luscious gloss coats, ink and watercolour on paper and large scale public art murals with aerosol. In doing so he covers a wide artistic spectrum visualizing the use of raw materials, conceptualizing and developing final art works.

The works are based on the culture of a new life, exploring ceremony, tradition and an unknown spiritual co-existence. Mixing differences in global cultures into an environment where new ceremonies and traditions are developed and shown as a unique undiscovered world. Themes of life, death and survival are depicted through cities and characters, and highly detailed paint and inkwork build up the layers of the melancholy folk ‘new world’.”

Dont miss this chance to see one of Westralias finest – he has completed over a hundred works on wood, as well as eight large canvases, for this show, which is mind blowingly grand.

Who: Creepy
What: You Just Have Your Eyes Closed – solo exhibition
Where: 470 Williams Street, Northbridge, Western Australia
When: Friday 13th August – opens 6pm. Exhibition runs til September 11st. Artist talk at 3pm, Saturday the 28th August.

Check out Creepys website for more info and work.

Its a little slow on the news front the past week, I’m looking down the barrel of an impending deadline for my first solo show, and winter appears to force habitual hibernation here and there – but there are still some pretty cool things happening around the city, even so, and these cold rainy days aren’t stopping the artists of the ‘burn from getting shit done.

ADi and Craig Poore have their exhibition Beautiful Strange on at At Large gallery at the moment, and though I was (fuxn) ill and missed the opening, ADi posted up some photos of the opening in his blog. Cant wait to get out to the gallery during the week and check out both of their works, as should all of you.

I made it down to the opening of Go Font Yourself 5 at No Vacancy as well, and once again I was impressed by the quality of this rounds offerings – some amazing prints to be had at really reasonable prices, and its always a pleasure to check out these shows and see the cool ways people are interpreting the various various fonts in their works. Twoone had some live print making going on, and it was fun to see him at work. Go check this out whilst its still running!

The weekend, however, saw a different kind of event – I happened to come across an invitation to something called Wrong Town, I had pretty much no other information about it, apart from the names of a few of the artists and a time and place (I’ve since found this article with a lot more info) -  and with the meeting place only a few  blocks from my house, I headed down on a sunny Saturday afternoon to Rockerly Gardens in South Yarra to check it out.

Getting there, a substantial crowd had already formed – and to my surprise (not really knowing what was actually going on) I estimated there were a hundred or so people gathered, at the least. After a little while, the crowd started moving on some unseen cue, and we walked up the road, then down into a typical suburban street. A short walk into inner city suburbia, and  a gate painted with a dripping, red “Enter at your own risk” was the only giveaway as to what lay beyond.

Sidling up to the house, I was both baffled and excited – we had to duck down under some windows to enter the house, the front door being closed – and the crowd of people made it a little difficult to really get in at first, but walking in I suddenly figured out what was going on – yep – Wrong Town.

It seems that the house we’d come to, was marked for demolition – the owners had kindly let a group of artists come in and do their thing to it before they knocked it down – and, that they did. The transformation was pretty damn cool, as evidenced by my once again remarkable (not) photo skills -  but you get a good idea as to what was going on … heres a short rundown, apologies for not being more detailed, there was a lot to see, and I also get the feeling that I missed some stuff here and there … apologies in advance for any mistakes or omissions I make in the following ..

(more…)