INVURT

Well, it was a pretty epic night, for an epic show. Stormtroopers, imperial officers, and one hell of a lot of amazing science fiction related artwork at the Artboy vs Fanboy: Science Fiction exhibition in Prahran.

Check out the opening photos below!

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Last weekend we got down to Drew Funks opening of his new show “Parity” at Paradise Hills. With a heap of great art from the talented artists, he had some damn fine painting on display and there was even a bit of breakdance going on – a great opening for a great show.

Click through for some images from the event!

Of course, being that time of year, everyones having their Xmas parties, and the Blender studios crew really know how to throw one!

With Dark Horse Experiment holding the show itself, and with lots of performances and installations happening in conjunction with the show, this is one of those studio bashes that you just have to go to if you’re in Melbourne. Good times, good times!

“The Blender Studios Christmas exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate the art and party with the artists of Blender Studios. The hard work and dedication of the artists is evident in this annual event with 20 artists showcasing their work.

The exhibition will be hosted by Dark Horse Experiment and the studios will hold a series of performers and installations. The opening night is sure to be a stunning example of current practice in Melbourne right now. The opening night will include DJs, cutting edge performance artists, traditional works on canvas, live graffiti events, strange objects and dislocated renderings of suburbia.

After ten years the Blender Studios still hold true to the values of research, energy, independence and the solidarity.

With strong links to Melbourne Street Art and some of the most recognised and prolific artists calling the Blender home, the opening exhibition will attract a wide audience.”

Such a talented pool of artists, and such a great event – we’ll see you there!

Who: Adi (Adrian Brierley), James Bonnici, Christopher Hussein Bril, Maxwell Burns-McRuvie, Toni-Ann Dowd, Adrian Doyle, Geoffrey Carran, Michael Fikaris, Drew Funk, Joel Gailer, Heesco, George Manioudakis, Kristin McIver, Michael Meneghetti, Kristy Milliken, Aubrey Rhodes, Georgie Smith, Tim Sterling, Haha (Regan Tamanui) and Rebeccka Wetzler.
What: Blender Studios Christmas Exhibition
Where: Dark Horse Experiment, 110 Franklin Street, Melbourne
When: Opening night and associated party on Friday 20th December, and the exhibition runs until February 4th. The Gallery will be closed between the 25th December and January the 9th.

Check out the Darkhorse Experiment website and the Blender Studios website for more information.

Once a year Miso and Ghostpatrol open up their studio for a sale of works directly from the Fortress itself – and if you know these artists as I’m sure you do, this is a great chance to see where they work, what they do, and to snap up some really limited works that they may have around the studio.

It’s only on for one day, so get down there and check it out while you can – and if you want to buy something, get to the atm first as its cash only!

Who: Miso & Ghostpatrol
What: Open Studio
Where: Studio 2, Level 3, 329 Little Collins Street
When: 11am til 4pm, Saturday December 10th

Check out Miso and Ghostpatrols websites for more info on the artists.

Browsing through this list of illustrators in the upcoming show “Off The Wall” we’re in pretty high anticipation – it’s one of those shows with just about something for everyone, at affordable prices – with the bonus that you can take it home with you right away!

We love simple group shows like this that display craploads of talent, and it looks to be one of those great end of year group shows. Head over to Brunswick and check it out later this week!

Who: Ben Butcher, Celeste Potter, Civil, Georgina Ekert, Ghostpatrol, Hawkins, Jo Waite, Lachlan Conn, Lauz, Loretta Mui, Marc Martin, Mandy Ord, Meera Sethi, M P Fikaris, Nicole Hurtubise, Rachel Jessie-Rae O’Connor, Rose Turtle-Ertler, Sam Wallman, Sarah McNeil, Snotrag and others
What: Off The Wall Illustration and Drawing Group Show
Where: Brunswick Bound, 361 Sydney Road, Brunswick
When: Show opens with an afternoon tea party – 2 – 4pm, 10th December, and runs til Jan 31st 2012 or until all the work is gone!

Check out the facebook event page or the Brunswick Bound website for more info!

Second round up, and this time, we’re on time! We have Arty Graffartis Top 10 roundup of his favourite pieces seem around Melbourne this month – enjoy a bit of paint on this wonderful Friday …

Don’t forget to head over to Arty Graffatis blog for more pics from across the Melbourne street art and graffiti scene …

 
To be able to see the humorous side of serious topics can often be a hard thing for the less open minded to master. Thankfully, we here in Australia do seem to be able to walk that line with some proficiency, what with our apparent built in, allegedly culturally enabled "take the piss" attitude.

For an artist to walk that line, however, and to still have their work maintain a light hearted disposition whilst evoking deeper, serious thoughts about important subjects, is a whole other matter entirely – yet with her explorations in both fine art and culture jamming street art, Rena Littleton has managed to do just that.

With adept skill, she moves between these worlds in a constant curiosity laden sojourn, "kicking the tires" on social mores, foibles and fallacies. From gorgeous illustrative styled images of overdose victims, M&Ms in hand, to information pamphlets laden with poignancy over the ridiculousness over that which isn’t always said, her work has that grand capacity to simultaneously evoke both happiness and sorrow at our modern ages many transgressions.

We’re fans of Renas works on many levels – which is as it should be, and we were completely curious to find out exactly how much that simple word, fun, means to an artist whose work is able to communicate with such polyglottal abandon …

We love the first quote on your website – “My grandfather once told my dad that "life is serious".  I’m glad I never met him, because I couldn’t take life much less serious.The world is just one big playground waiting for us to art in it.” – tell us a bit about your own artistic playground and the levity surrounding your artistic journey – how much fun have you had with it all over the years?

Having fun is definitely the most important thing in life to me. I’ve always enjoyed pointing out the absurdity of the world we live in. I think people often create their own self-restrictions based on how they think others will judge them. Once you take that element away, however, the possibilities are endless. The other restriction placed upon us is that of the law, which can sometimes be a fun thing to try to get around.

Though, I do wonder if I will be sued one day – considering the direction I’m going in with my art and culture jamming. 

Painting, drawing, comics, animation, culture jamming … such a diverse and wide range of activities warrants a pretty curious mind – how does curiosity play into the work that you do, or, in fact, do you believe that good art is even possible without a healthy sense of curiosity? Obviously, that and a really good dose of humour must play a pretty vital part in your work…

Curiosity and a sense of humour definitely play a big part in my art. These elements are important to me because it’s what I personally find most satisfying and rewarding. I find it essential to let my mind wonder away from what’s considered ‘normal’ by society’s conventions and constantly ask the question “why” and sometimes even “why not”. Question everything!

Your two solo shows thus far, amongst a huge range of group shows, “Ten Day Bender” and “Red, White, Black” were almost six years apart – what made the gap between the two shows so long, and what was it that you felt differed between both of the shows themselves from when you held your first one, to the most recent a year ago?

My first solo show was at a very early stage of my career, when I had only just moved to Melbourne from country Victoria. At that point, having only experienced life in small country towns throughout Victoria and Greece, I still wasn’t very aware of the art scene in Melbourne, or the possibilities it held for me.

It took a few years of exploration, self-growth and experimentation to find what direction I wanted to head in – though that is still evolving and probably always will (I get bored easily).

Ten Day Bender was fantastic – you had varying themes around morbidity and socially degraded characters, and yet these illustrations and images still feel “normal” – which is a complete counterpoint to the pills, blood, girls biting heads off dolls and worms emerging from stomachs … how did you approach this balance between the beautiful and the banal in the work for the show?

Thanks, I was really happy with that series, because I think it really captures what I’m all about. I’ve always had an obsession for the gross and disturbing, but I didn’t want my art to be too foul to look at, and I also wanted to have that element of humour that has become somewhat of a trademark in my artwork. By swapping real guns with spud guns, and pills with m&ms, the work is less confrontational and more humourous and open to interpretation.

Having a browse through your tumblr, “The Truth About Drugs” – we love all the posters and information pamphlets that you’ve been drawing up over the past few months, its quite a different thing to your more traditional illustration work – the themes jump through all aspects of social mores. Tell us a bit more about “The Truth About Drugs” and where the ideas sprung from – and where you want to take it to!

This project was born when a friend of mine showed me a website that claimed to have information on the truth about drugs, but actually read more like brainwashing material. I became obsessed with how government and authority are constantly trying to brainwash us with their own version of “the truth”, and people just accept it as fact. Which is so sad, considering the devastating effects that its had throughout our history, and is still happening today.

I’m not exactly sure where I want to take this project – but I do want to take it beyond the usual 2D art realm and into the real world in the form of real life happenings and culture jamming. For me, the most important thing is to encourage people to question authority more.

We’ve been seeing quite a few images from your other culture jamming project, “Street Status” lately – its hilarious, how did you think up this idea, what has it involved, and what has been so of the feedback and interesting stories surrounding it?

This project is a bit of fun, but it also raises a lot of interesting questions about society and how we interact. When I first came up with the idea, I wanted something that enabled me to interact with my surrounding community, rather than something that just says “I’m a piece of street art – enjoy me”. I like the idea of creating an opportunity for interaction and play, because essentially, people do want that opportunity.

The project has also changed how I look at my environment and its possibilities – the city feels like a school playground to me now, and I just want to play with all my friends (and I think they want to play too). I’ve only just started with this project, but people seem to be enjoying it and it is exciting to go back and check for comments that strangers have left.

You also recently did some work for the Board exhibition at NGV, and you are doing some live art workshop stuff for it as well – tell us a bit more about what you’ve done, what you think of the whole skateboard culture, and what the workshops will involve?

Yes, it’s a bit exciting to be a part of a show like this, with so many other talented artists. The skateboard art that I painted up for the show was a version of one of my Truth About Drugs pieces on Rock ‘n’ Roll – an outrageously crazy time when black and white people started mixing and even dancing together.

Ha, I’m not really sure what I think about the whole skateboard culture, I don’t really think about it that much. I used to love rolling down hills on my skateboard when I was 7, but if I can’t learn something in a few days then I’m most likely to give up – so no skateboarding or ollies for me.

During the NGV workshop with fellow artist, Kirpy, I’ll be painting a piece on segregation and racism. Visitors are free to come watch us, steal our techniques and ask us any questions they might have. I’ve never painted in public before, so this should be an interesting experience. They’ll be long days, so I’m hoping that people bring me snacks.

Talking comics – Rena vs World and Moonsville – are they ever evolving epics? Tell us about your affinity for comics, what motivates them, and what you think they add to the over all ideas and messages that you’re throwing out into the world?

I have many different outlets for my creativity, and comics is one of them. I find it an exciting medium because of the combination of imagery, text and story telling. Though I’m very specific about the type of comics that I enjoy – I’m more into dealing with real life issues than the superhero scene. Guys like Daniel Clowes and Chris Ware offer something that’s so humorous yet mundane, poignant and so real at the same time, and this is what I aspire to.

Rena Vs World allows me to show a more personal side of myself through real life characters and actual experiences. Sometimes embarrassing or messed up things happen, but the important thing is to be able to laugh at it, and this comic lets me do that. Moonsville on the other hand is a fairly new project, which I have been distracted from with other projects, but is an outlet for my fictional characters and stories.

You’ve spent a bit of time overseas, and we’ve seen that you also exhibit over there every so often – what is it that you think travelling brings to your art, and tell us a bit more about the aspect of exhibiting in shows overseas – are you planning more of it? Travel as well as exhibiting?

For me, travelling made me realise the plethora of possibilities out there and the fact that they’re not as inaccessible as I may have thought. We are so lucky to be living in an age where most things are accessible via the internet, so I feel travelling is less of a big deal than it used to be, but still a great experience nonetheless.

I did get pretty sick of all the airports, taxis, trams buses etc over the seven months of travelling, so for now I’m pretty happy staying put in Melbourne and concentrating fully on my art.

Seriously, over all you seem to have a million different ideas and things that you want to do, and you just nail so many of them – tell us a few of your ideas for creative endeavours that you have planned for 2012!?

Well I want to keep spreading my wings and trying new things. I’m going to try my hand at some slam poetry and also some form of performance at the Little Festival that my friend Rhys Rodgers is organising in cubbys under hills hoists though the inner northern suburbs. I also want to get more into street art, video art and happenings.

I’ve just launched my new website nonfairtrade.com which is a mixture of art, culture jamming, activism, video and humour. The plan is to start campaigning for companies, cafes etc to feature the ‘NONFAIRTRADE’ logo on all products that are made unethically. The dream is to get it passed as a law – a big aim I know – but it’s always best to aim too high than too low …

Check out Rena’s website, as well as nonfairtrade.com, and get down to see her and Kirpy at Board over this weekend at the NGV.

Welcome to your weekly roundup of Australian street art videos. Theres so much stuff constantly coming out from the Outpost Project, so this week we’re going to run through all of those first …

Afends headed to Outpost, and did a clip of all the stuff they saw whilst they were there – great snippets of all the happenings and artwork …

Madness – Teem narrowly beat out Deb in this fantastic Secret Wars battle last weekend at Outpost Project! Short clip this one, looking forward to the full video!

Next up, there’s also a feature on Deb by the crew at ArtSeries Hotels on the work she’s been doing out at the island …

Also, there’s another cool feature from ArtSeries that was just released today – this one on 23rd Key, the winner of the Australian Stencil Art Prize for 2011.

.. annddd, on to other things! This was posted up a while ago, but considering that the event is coming up again soon, we thought we’d post this cool teaser on Backyard Play!

Okay, the guys from Urban Scrawl are just starting to tease the crap out of us now – this show looks like its going to be mintox – and then some!!

Creepy, Daek and Island Limits put together this awesome video of some work they did back in October – if theres a must watch this week, this ones at the top.

CDH has finally released the video from his Naping adventures at the Traditional Health Care fundraiser the other month – ahhhh. Green fire!

Daek has a show coming up at RTIST Gallery next week – and here’s the first promo video for it!

International sojourners Dabs Myla did some work over in Shoreditch with Remi Rough in late October, and VNA were there to capture it.

Well, that’s all we have time for this week – if you have any videos you’d like to send us, please do so!

As Xmas begins to roll its way casually towards us, and as we start going ever so slightly insane from carols in the supermarket, its always good when artists take some of the more traditional aspects of the season and transform them into something new …

This is the core of the idea behind Street Advent, which will be running for 25 days in the lead up to Christmas day. Using the traditional form of the advent calendar, twenty five Melbourne and International street artists have signed up to present a new piece of street art for each day of December up until the 25th. Where these pieces will be, who will be doing what day, an where they will be unveiled is anyone’s guess – but that’s half the fun!

The images will be posted online each day after the work is in place, with a few clues maybe as to where its located – then its up to you to find them.

The first pieces are already going up, such as this fantastic one from I & The Others, so get onto it, and enjoy this special Christmas event from a whole heap of talented artists!

Who: Phoenix, Kaffiene, Rena Littleson, Benjamin Reeve, skulk, Guz, Mason (Canada), Mishap, I & The Others, Year of the Shorts, Blomtrog, Decycle (Germany), Andros, Olive47 (USA), Dopio, Klara, Terrible Horrible, MAO, Birdhat, Nommric, Facter, Jinks (France), James Bevelander, Fezwitch, Internet (not in order, wheres the fun in that!)
What: Street Advent 2011
Where: All over Melbourne, its up to you to track them down!
When: Street Advent will be running from Thursday 1st December until Sunday 25th December.

Check out the Street Advent website, as well as the Street Advent facebook page for more info and to follow the pieces, or hunt them down, as they go up!

We do love ourselves a great, throw down, no holds barred art battle – and when that battle includes a bunch of mad-rad graff artists all vying to take this years War Of The Walls title, you can be assured of a night of action!

Over two hours, five artists will spray they way through to the finish line, fighting all the way. Last years winner Adnate will be there judging, and you, the audience, also get your say. We don’t have any tips for you, we think it’ll be a pretty evenly matched – but you should get down there and support them all!

“The ultimate clash of the cans is back.

WAR OF THE WALLS returns Saturday December 3rd 2011, hot on the heels of last year’s explosive inaugural battle. Five urban street artists will emerge from the alleys and studios to go head to head in a duel of aerosol genius and a larger-than-life race against the clock.

WAR OF THE WALLS is stoked to welcome this year’s artists to the stage; RAD 11, ohnoes, Mr Reliable, eltoasto & Broes for an action-packed 2 hour showdown.

The illustrious DJ Tom Showtime will send the crowd on a trip with a culmination of hip-hop, funk and all things smooth. Industry experts including last year’s winner Adnate, Facter from Invurt.com and YOU, our most awesome audience, will judge these willing combatants and their works. Only one artist will rise from the battle to be crowned the champion of WAR OF THE WALLS. If you thought last year was huge, brace yourself; because this year they’re steppin’ it up.

This means War.”

Who: ohnoes, Mr Reliable, eltoasto, RAD 11 & Broes
What: War Of The Walls live art battle
Where: The Void, 1-35 Wellington Street, Collingwood, VIC
When: Saturday 3rd December 2011 from 7pm til 11pm

Check out the War Of The Walls website as well as the facebook page for more info.

There’s just something about art and backyards that go together – drinks, bbqs and good weather makes for a pretty ideal day, and, when you couple that with a bunch of highly creative friends, you often get art jams that are second to none.

Taking it one step further, Primo! Mag and The Outsiders decided that just hanging out and doing art wasn’t enough – they wanted to share it with everyone, and so Backyard Play was born!

"PRIMO! Magazine & The Outsiders are two like mind crews who have already established a place in the local Art scene. They have joined forces to create a burgeoning new collective called BACKYARD PLAY. This collective aims to cultivate a greater sense of community amongst Street & Graffiti Artist. They hope to break down the stigma that surrounds their beloved chosen Art forms.

The idea, to bring together Artists, friends & community in a way that personalises the medium of their Art as well as promotes creativity & collaboration in their very own backyards. Through shared experience, BACKYARD PLAY hopes to bring more understanding of the process of creating Street Art & Graffiti as well as the shared experience of childhood play & the shared experience of a dedicated day of painting together. The first of these days took place on 6.8.2011 in a backyard in Sydney & the result is the first BACKYARD PLAY exhibition.

6 Artists created works inspired by the theme Backyard Play using a range of media such as aerosol, pen, paint and texta. They barbecued, drank beer & painted together, making Art in the same place at the same time they influence each others work & created an inspiring work environment. This day also held a deeper message of reflection for the Artists, with a loose theme of nostalgia & ‘childhood’, which encouraged them to draw upon their background & influence in order to convey their message. This is all reflected in the show in what we hope to turn into a regular playtime.

BACKYARD PLAY is a celebration of the things that hold a community together & knit you to your community like pride, nostalgia, diversity & notions of home."

You probably even recognise a few of the names from the Sydney Secret Wars list – there’s quite a few of the competitors taking part in this event.There will also be a really cool doco of the event on show, which was made by Will Hodgett & Daniel Repetti – along with the photography that’ll also be on display you’ll be able to get a great sense of how the show developed. Put it all together, and this looks mad – get to it!

Who: Cam Wall, Sprinkles, Kon, Mr. Sweet, Teem, photography by Hannah Wang and doco by Will Hodgett & Daniel Repetti
What: Backyard Play collaborative exhibition
Where: 240 Enmore Road, Enmore, Sydney, NSW
When: Opens Thursday 8th December and runs til Wednesday 14th December

Check out the Backyard Play facebook page as well as the facebook event page for heaps more info on the event.

We knew this one was coming up, and damn we’re looking forward to it. Since interviewing the man himself earlier this year, we’ve been hankering for a chance to see this Perth artists work in a full blown solo show – and it’s almost here, thanks to Prahrans RTIST Gallery.

"A composite mesh of graffiti, illustration, fantasy and photo-realism. Light and complex, with a hint of lustful attitude.

Still Under The Influence exhibits a new selection of pieces capturing Daek William’s world of influence and appreciation. Throughout his career, an obsession and fascination with the female form has been the strongest theme in Daek’s monstrous and detailed canvases. This new exhibition brings his classic work to view and enters into a new period for the artist.

“I wanted to show the world my appreciation of the geniuses that have pushed, pulled and influenced my own thoughts.” says Daek.

Using a unique style of laying origami crowns on the heads of his subjects, Daek new work depicts the artists who he admires and collaborates with. As the founding member of Last Chance studios in Perth, Daek works alongside names like Creepy, Kid Zoom and Yok . Daek’s deeply personal paintings take on the subject of the influential artist he admires, shares friendships with, and the stories that they have to convey.

“His new work is so f@#king amazing.” – Kid Zoom

Still Under The Influence will see Daek create his own play land within RTIST Gallery. Viewers can expect an experience filled with pink flamingos, BBQ’s, sand, lasers and dry ice. “This will be our last show for the year and were going out with bang”, says Jeremy Gaschk Head Curator RTIST Gallery."

Now, we always say this about the shows on at RTIST, and many others, but this one really is something you should get to! As their last show for the year, its sure to be off the hook. Daek is already making his mark the world over, and we’re predicting even bigger things for him over 2012 – so if you’re in Melbourne, make sure you go,and we’ll see you there!

Who: Daek William
What: Still Under The Influence solo show
Where: RTIST Gallery
When: Show opens Friday 9th December at 7:30pm and runs til Friday 23rd December.

Check out Daeks website, the RTIST Gallery site, as well as our interview with Daek earlier in the year.

Ah Perth, we had a great time hanging out with you over the weekend, and as always, we’re pretty sad that we wont be able to attend a show you’ve got happening soon! Ladies Lounge brings together a whole bunch of rad female street art and graffiti practitioners from Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide in what can only be described as a whole lotta awesome.

Many of the names are ones you’d be familiar with from some of the Lady Killerz rosters, the six artists, SEARious Jones, Joske, Ishk, Isis, Ladie Poise, Lady Bna-Nas  are all highly talented, and this is definitely a show to be reckoned with!

Nicely done Perth, nicely done.

Who: SEARious Jones, Joske, Ishk, Isis, Ladie Poise, Lady Bna-Nas
What: Ladies Lounge group show
Where: Queen Street Gallery, 28b Queen Street, Fremantle
When: Show opens Friday 9th December from 6pm til 9pm and runs til 23rd December

Check out the facebook event page for more info on the show or the Queen Street Gallery website.

In the next instalment of the quarterly Season Of Change shows over  Prahran this Friday night, Revolver have something pretty fine cooking (besides Colonel Tans that is, one of the best Thai spots south of the river we reckon).

Two of our favourite artists here, Cam Scale and Aida Sabic, will be next up on the roster – opening up the Summer show "Hell Hath No Fury" ..

"‘Seasons of Change’ is an exciting new event that will showcase new and established artists both local and international. Seasons of Change is held at Revolver Upstairs on the first Friday of every third month, coinciding with the change of season.

Each event will be totally different to the last dictated by that event’s artist/s. All events will feature a large scale mural on outside wall lasting for three months, a one night only exhibition featuring two limited edition prints (editions of 30) and paintings on canvas. Following the event prints will then be available for sale on the DangerFork online store (if not sold out)."

New mural, great food, lots of affordable art and prints from two of Melbournes and amazing street/artists? Hell yeah!

Who: Cam Scale & Aida Sabic with tunes from Hans DC and Who
What: Seasons of Change – Summer "Hell Hath No Fury"
Where: Revolver upstairs, Chapel Street, Prahran
When: Show opens Friday 2nd December from 6pm til 9pm

Check out both Cam Scale and Aida Sabics websites, as well as the facebook page!

It’s been over a year and a half since Beastmans last solo show (about the same amount of time since we last interviewed him!), but in during that time he’s been one damn busy dude. Thankfully, his Sydney fans now have a chance to get excited, as he rolls out his next show at Kind Of Gallery in early December – and it promises to be everything they’re hoping for.

"Our seeming dominance over the world is illusory and ephemeral. We consider ourselves masters of all creation, but as a species, humanity is insignificant on a cosmic scale, our limited perceptions allow us to only see a fraction of the full range of reality. ‘Cosmic Nature’ is a refreshing new series of paintings by Sydney based artist Beastman which explores the futuristic and overwhelming idea of nature coming to life in a way we could have never imagined. The artist’s new colour palette reflects the different elements of our young world, and his further developed distinctive style is influenced by the organic lines and often symmetrical geometric patterns found in nature. Whatever meaning or purpose may or may not be invested in Beastman’s paintings, the deities featured in his ambitious new works are a representation of what lies beyond the boundaries of our imagination, and what could result when the cosmic forces of nature eventually reveal the irrelevance of humanity in the universe.

"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age."
H.P. Lovecraft – ‘The Call of Cthulhu’ 1927

In his first solo exhibition in 18 months and over 2 years since his last Sydney solo show, Beastman has hit a new stride with this latest body of work. Travelling around Australia and the world painting large scale aerosol works has noticeably evolved his unique and well recognised style, which he is taking from the street and into the gallery. Recently named Best Artist at the Sydney Music Arts and Culture (SMAC) Awards, and fresh from participating in the Outpost Project on Cockatoo Island, Beastman is one of Australia’s most distinctive and prolific artists. He has exhibited his work and painted large scale murals all over Australia and New Zealand, as well as London, Berlin and New York. Beastman has also designed skateboards and graphics for brands including Element, Mingo Lamberti, T-Bar, The Art Park and Lowlife of London, he has also been commissioned to create artwork for Hyundai, Smirnoff, Red Bull, Tiger Beer and Huawei."

Not only that, but Beastman will also be releasing his first zine at the show!

"The ‘Cosmic Nature’ exhibition will also act as a launch for Beastman’s first publication. ‘Suburban Nature’ is a limited edition 60 page zine featuring street art, murals and collaborations created by the artist over 2 years throughout 10 different countries, documenting the journey and development of the artist’s unique and distinct style."

Apparently there are only 500 copies of this limited edition signed an numbered book available – so either get to the show, or get to his website afterwards.

Who: Beastman
What: Cosmic Nature solo show
Where: Kind Of Gallery, 72 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
When: Show opens Thursday 8th December, 7pm and runs til 18th December

Check out Beastmans website and the facebook event page for more info.

You would think that the boys from aMBUSH Gallery would have their hands full with the ongoing Outpost Project, but no – these guys just keep powering on, and the next show up at aMBUSH Gallery sees a bunch of our favourites smashing it down in Sydney with an awesome group show, Surface Tension.

"Australia’s new wave of street art is already here. Following on from their curatorial hit Outpost Project at Cockatoo Island, aMBUSH proudly presents Surface Tension, featuring artists E.L.K. (Luke Cornish,
VIC), Heesco (VIC), Shida (QLD), Slurpree Slug (NSW), Sofles (VIC) and Sprinkles (NSW).

The artists will paint and transform the gallery walls, integrating the space itself into their body of works. Hailing from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, the stellar emergent line-up represents the next epoch, the next movement. Come and see where it all starts.

The opening will take place on Friday 25 November from 6-9pm at aMBUSH Gallery, 4A James Street Waterloo. Join us for complimentary drinks provided by Absolut and future leaning beats and Hip-hop
between provided by Zwelli.

On the billing will be Brisbane born, cut-back king, Sofles, recently returned from the San Francisco all-Australian show ‘Young and Free’ – himself one of the country’s finest graffiti exports. Also from Brisbane,
Shida’s vicious extra dimensional figures will grin across the concrete backdrop.

Moving further down south, representing Sydney will be Sprinkles, co-founder of Half-Star clothing, with his hyper-cartoon skulls stalking the back of your thoughts. Marking his exclusive gallery appearance is the mysterious street thrasher, Slurpee Slug, with his raw psychedelia a cross between whizz fizz characters and acid. From the Melbourne camp, and representing Blender studios we have Heesco and E.L.K.

Heesco, the current Sydney Secret Wars champion, has a talent in creating anguished faces and loose figures caught in motion.
E.L.K. (Luke Cornish) is widely regarded as a National stencil treasure, able to bring photorealistic portrayals in muted tones through painstaking execution of layering, deconstructing and reconstructing his works with his own flair. E.L.K. was the winner of the 2010 Australian Stencil Art Prize, and made the cover of Monthly Art Magazine, April 2011.

The exhibition will also run alongside an online catalogue with works for sale from Saturday 26 November and runs until 4 December, allowing interstate buyers to remotely buy works. Information regarding this will be available on the aMBUSH website from the opening night."

Damn. We love aMBUSH more and more every day – and you should too!

Who: E.L.K., Heesco, Shida, Slurpee Slug, Sofles, Sprinkles
What: Surface Tension group show
Where: aMBUSH Gallery, 4a James St, Waterloo, Sydney, NSW
When: Show opens Friday 25th November, and runs til Tuesday 29th November.

Check out the aMBUSH gallery website and the facebook event page for more info on the show.