INVURT

Way back in October, we brought you news of a new project that I’ve been working on with Jo Jette, a brand spanking new print magazine by the name of Damn It! Well, it’s done, printed and all ready to go – and we’re having a party to celebrate!!

Designer and Publisher Jo Jette has been working on the amazing Nothing To Nobody for a few years now, which, sadly, has just released its awesome final issue (Jo will be working on Damn It! from here on out!) This dynamo of a lady has crafted what I think is a stunning, collectable piece of visual beauty, and written a slew of grand articles. For myself, well, I’ve edited my ass off on this one, and if you’ve been reading Invurt for a while then you can expect a whole bunch of full feature articles from yours truly on artists from across the globe!

We’ve already released the magazine for purchase over the internet (go grab yourself a copy!), so now its time to invite you all to the launch!!

"Tired of the same old same old? Want to feel like you’re doing something positive when you shell out your hard earned cold cash for a magazine? Want value for money in a convenient bag size read? Then say hello to our little friend – DAMN IT!

DAMN IT! is a brand spankin’ new, biannual, 96 page, limited edition magazine run by Publisher & Designer Jo Jette (of Nothing to Nobody magazine), and Editor in Chief Fletcher Andersen (aka Facter, of online art webzine, Invurt). We put every cent we have into the publication, so that each issue will kick the can of the previous one.

Each issue we feature juicy articles on super talented peeps – illustrators, photographers, typographers, painters, writers, and other creative types as well as reporting on the more serious side of things from around the world.

We also shine a Bat-signal on some of the amazingly selfless work done by caring peeps setting up and running not-for-profits all round the world. We’re not afraid to put our money where our damn big mouths are, and we pledge to donate $0.50 from each copy of DAMN IT! sold to the not-for-profit we feature in that issue, which in our first ever issue is Skateistan, a not-for-profit set up to teach kids to skate in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Pakistan. Skatistan also teach journalism and art to their students, 40% of whom are girls.
Plus we’ve adopted a Polar Bear for our first issue to accompany our article on Polar Bears and Arctic conservation, but just wait ‘til you see what we are sponsoring for issue 2!!

Launching officially on 2 May at the Just Another Project Space in 153 Greville St, Prahran (Melbourne) from 6-9pm, and we’ll be giving away a Hamburger YoYo to everyone who attends. Yes, you heard us right – so join us for a drink!"

It’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing that the mag is being launched, and my not being able to actually attend the launch party! Lamentations aside, both Jo and I are stoked at how the mag has turned out, and we’re sure that you’ll all love this first issue (we hope!) – its been a long process and a lot of hard work, trial and trepidation, but its something we’re pretty proud of.

So, we’d love for you to al head on down to the launch party next Thursday – grab a mag, enjoy a read and let us know what you think!!! Massive thanks to the team at Just Another for letting us use their awesome Just Another Project Space for the launch, we couldn’t be happier with the venue!!

Don’t forget, that if you can’t make the launch, we have released the magazine for purchase over the internet here! We’re already deep into planning Issue #2 also, so your feedback is more than welcome – we also have extremely affordable advertising space available for full page ads in the next issue and beyond.

Massive thanks to everyone for all of their support, especially the artists and advertisers who are featured in the first issue!

Who: The first issue of Damn It! Magazine features articles on artists and creatives such as Lee Romao, Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins, Ken Taylor, Chris Peters, Poise, Adam Oehlers, Ink & Clog, Skateistan, Polar Bears of the Arctic, Naoto Hattori, Tom Hussey, and Hit+Run and some special artwork from Chris Hancock and Eleven, photography from Nicole Reed and much more.
What: Damn It! Magazine Launch Party
Where: Just Another Project Space, 153 Greville St, Prahran, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
When: Opening will be one night only, Thursday 2nd May 2013 from 6pm til 9pm!

Check out the facebook event page for ore info as well as the Damn It! Magazine website!

Some of you may remember back in January that we posted a big assed painting session in Windsor that we helped to produce – at the time, I’d jokingly said that as the laneway didn’t have any official name, that it should be called "Aerosol Alley" … well, I guess its no longer a joke, and there’s going to be a big launch party this weekend to celebrate the project, and you’re all fucking invited!

Since Wayne Tindall started painting in an old laneway behind his studio in Windsor (Melbourne) back in 2009, Aerosol Alley has since grown into a beautiful example of what a community of artists can do when presented with an opportunity to remake a disused urban environment. After beginning to paint several murals in the laneway on his own, Wayne then invited a bunch of artists along to help him out – it was at that stage that we here at Invurt became involved in the project, helping to co-ordinate three sessions of painting by street artists over the course of two years.

With the entire project having been filmed by Wayne Tindall, the launch party will also include a special preview screening of part of the documentary that was filmed of the project. Artists such as Heesco, Hancock, Kaff-eine, Meggs, Unwell Bunny, Facter, Jack Douglas, Pierre Lloga, Porno, S4beth, Mishap, Dopio, Dvate, Gent, Askem, Dcat, Conrad Bizjak, Eleven, Phoenix, Shida and many, many more have all, over the course of several painting sessions been both interviewed and filmed, and a full length doco of it all is in the works.

You can check out a preview of the documentary below – there will be an extended version shown at the event!

Since the New Years painting session, several other artists, such as Shida and Kaff-eine ,have also joined in on the project, and quite a few other pieces have gone up – its turned into an amazing public art space, where before it was truly just a run down laneway. As you can tell, we’re just a little bit proud to have been a part of it, and grateful for the opportunity, and all the support, that Wayne Tindall and the building owners provided!

Starting from 2pm on the day, an amazing lineup of live music will also herald the event – with performances from Psyde Projects, Mish’Chief, Ryan Knowles, Andre Le, Vogue and Jay Tindall. As an added bonus, the whole thing will be broadcast live via Kiss FM.

Mysterious Al, Unwell Bunny and Shida will all also be painting live at the event. As a special bonus, Wayne Tindall will also be launching his new gallery "Chaotic" in conjunction with the event. The gallery launch will feature a 101 Life Drawing event, as well as the launch of a fantastic new "Outdoor Gallery" that Wayne and David Russell have been working on over the past few months.

The Aerosol Alley launch party is proudly supported by Chaotic Gallery, Boywolf, Invurt, David Russell Photography, Kiss Fm, Print Express, RedTV, Chapel St, Tyranny Of Distance, The Wolf & I and Sticky Beak.

Head down there this weekend to check it all out for yourself, see some mad live art, and brock out to some rad live music.

This is real Melbourne street art, at its finest!!

Who: Live art by Mysterious Al, Unwell Bunny, Shida. Tunes by Psyde Projects, Mish’Chief, Ryan Knowles, Andre Le, Vogue and Jay Tindall. Mural and artwork by Heesco, Hancock, Kaff-eine, Meggs, Unwell Bunny, Facter, Jack Douglas, Pierre Lloga, Porno, S4beth, Dvate, Gent, Askem, Mishap, Dopio, Dcat, Conrad Bizjak, Eleven, Phoenix, Shida and many, many more
What: Aerosol Alley Launch Party
Where: Aerosol Alley (Laneway between Green and Union St, Windsor)
When: Event starts 2pm Sunday 17th March – one day only! You can also catch the tunes from the event live on Kiss Fm!

Check out the facebook event page for more info!

For about two years now, we’ve been rocking a couple of Invurt shirts around the place. We’ve been asked a whole bunch of times where people can get hold of them, so we’ve decided to make three designs available through Redbubble.

As you know, we do all the stuff here on the website without any real expectation in return, but there are costs associated with it all … so if you’ve ever wanted to directly help support us,  now’s your chance!

First up is the classic Invurt T from Pierre Lloga – Pierre did this one for us prior to the Outpost Project up in Sydney, and its the shirt we have rocked the most over the past two years – big fans. Available in colours, as well as in both Pullover and Zip up hoodies.

Second up, is of course, our now logo from the man himself, Hancock (also check out @hancock_art on instagram). This is the same graphic from both here on the website, as well as on all of our stickers and other swag – we love this design! Also available in hoodies, yep!

The third shirt design, is from the hand of our friend Mikaela Jane (@mikaelajane on instagram) – we haven’t released this logo before and this sees its first outing! We love her custom type and we love our orange on purple (though there are other colours available also)! Yep, there’s hoodies available as well!

Lastly, I have actually gone through and put a whole bunch of my own personal artwork on a bunch of shirts as well – okay, so not Invurt related, but I hope you think there’s some cool designs of some creatures, nonetheless!

You can find all of my designs up here.

Anyways, head over to Redbubble to see them all and thanks to Hancock, Pierre and Mikaela Jane for their designs – and, again (regardless) to you – for reading and for all your continual support!

Without a doubt, Melbourne street art would not be what it is without the talented Drewfunks work adorning our walls.

Over the past ten years, Drew has produced a massive body of work – both on the walls, and in the gallery. His style is instantly recognisable, his fusion of Western and Asian culture pervading its presence. Now, Drew is taking that work and placing it into a book for all to enjoy – and its a must have for anyone interested in both Drews work, and Australian art in general.

“Drewfunk & No Vacancy Gallery QV are proud to present the launch of Oriental Funk, the debut self publication by Drewfunk.

Oriental Funk follows the creative evolution of Drewfunk and his work over a ten year period from 2002-2012, documenting his work from the streets to the studio and everything in between.

Join us on Friday 18 January from 6pm – 9pm for the official book launch and signing, as well as an exhibition of new and old works.”

Amongst the show, will be an installations, and whole heap of news work, as well as hidden gems from Drews archive showing a snapshot of his works progress over the past decade.

Seriously can’t wait for this one, its going to be epically good – and can’t wait to get our hands on the book!!

Who: Drewfunk
What: Oriental Funk Book Launch & Exhibition
Where: No Vacancy Gallery QV, 34–40 Jane Bell Ln, Melbourne
When: Shoe opens Friday 18th January, from 6pm til 9pm and runs til January 27th

Check out Drews website, as well as the facebook event page for more info on the whole shabang!

Eddie Zammit has to be one  our favourite people – his enthusiasm is infectious, his creativity is unbound, and, well, his t-shirt collection kicks absolute fkn ass over anyones. As the mastermind behind T-World, Eddie has teamed up with the girls from just Another Agency to present Melbourne with something that only those who went to Outpost Festival last year have had a chance to see – a  snapshot of his amazing collection of shirts right in the heart of the city, at the NGV studio in Fed Square.

“Since 1990, T-shirt culture has boomed worldwide, but Melbourne really got started in the ‘80s.

A joint collaboration between Just Another, NGV Studio and T-world, TEES: Exposing Melbourne’s T-shirt culture examines and dissects the last 25 years of the city’s graphics on cotton through the eyes of avid T-shirt collector Eddie Zammit. Zammit digs into his 4,500+ tee collection to uncover influential items that demonstrate the power of Melbourne’s T-shirt past and its future direction.”

This isn’t, however, your run of the mill show. Although the shirts comprise a large portion of it all, the team behind TEES has presented it in such a way that it brings focus to those individuals and collectives who have, over many years, strived to create new and exciting wearable art for the masses. Tshirts, urban, low brow and street art intermesh in many ways – something about the near DIY attitude of it, and then utilising that attitude to propel your creations onto a public-facing canvas has changed the face of modern art over the past few decades.

Thus, like street art and graffiti, T-shirts as a form of public artwork are quite unlike works within a gallery – their often subliminal manifestations form a part of our environment,  they can either grab your attention right away, force their presence upon you, or leave an impression in the corner of your mind – whispering their style and form to your subconscious, erupting without warning upon free associations or recognition.

That the TEES crew are now taking these works of art and placing them in the gallery, it is the former, in your face presence that is the aim – and when viewed in this context, their collective power is manifest. The question between whether these works are art unto themselves (they are), or merely a medium of conveyance (they are) is inconsequential – when you are dealing with a movement that dwars almost every other modern art movement, then who really gives a fuck about such philosophies?

Okay, so I’ve rambled a bit – but I love t-shirts so much that its justified fkn rambling, right?!

The stories behind all of these wearable works is a hugely important aspect of TEES, and as a part of the show, the ever amazingly talented Nicole Reed has photographically documented some of the leaders in the field – and these images and visages bring even more context to the show. They are, as always, beautifully done, and we have a whole bunch of preview shots below …

Head down to the opening night this Friday, or at any time over summer – it will be on for a little while over xmas, and it really is something that everyone should go and check out whilst they are in the city.

Who: Eddie Zammits amazing collection of t-shirts
What: I Love Tees – T-shirt exhibition
Where: NGV Studio Space, The Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne
When: Now until February 17th 2013. Launch party will be this Friday 14th December from 6pm!

Check out the facebook event page, T-World and Just Another Agency for more details.

Last week Mark Bode returned to Melbourne for a second solo show, Ned Kelly & Other Outback Stories.

The Backwoods pop-up space was filled to the brim with Marks amazing and iconic work, gorgeous illustrations over maps of the Australian countryside – a great show from a masterful hand.

Check out all the photos from Dave Russell below!

Last Wednesday night we made out way over to Metro Gallery to check out the latest exhibition from E.L.K., Not With It.

This has to have been possibly one of the best shows of stencil art that we have ever seen – the mans technical skill is amazing, and we absolutely loved the combination of his new direction in portraiture as well as his social commentary pieces. You can read our latest feature on E.L.K. here, but if you are in Melbourne, you should head down to Metro and see it all for yourself.

In the meantime, check out our photos from the opening below!

I try hard not to use too many “buzz words” on here – its inevitable, really … but, having had a chance to get to two opening of AWOL Fabric exhibition, all I can really say about this is “next fucking level” – argh, there, I said it.

On the private opening night last Thursday, I was rendered speechless  All the hard work and effort that the crew had put in to create something unique had paid off; enormously so. This was a collaborative show that outstrips most other collaborative shows I have seen, and easily ranks in probably the top 10 exhibitions I have seen in my life. I’m not just saying that because  I count the AWOL guys as mates (I mean, they’re all just a damn great bunch of people), I’m saying that because it is very rare that I can walk into a show and find it hard to vocalise how I feel about it. I’m saying it because it was, for me, an epiphany and a vision of what can be done with a tight, solid and experienced collaborative team.

The second night, I arrived all ready for another go at it all again – hilariously, there was a booze bus set up right outside the show. It just added to the whole momentum of the night, having that presence right outside the door – you just can’t plan that kind of shit. The venue itself, an old pump house, was gorgeous – how the hell they managed this, who knows, but there was no more fitting venue for their work. High arches reaching up, a piece from each artist framed within. Then downstairs, almost an entirely different show from above, yet without losing the synergy that the main room had already set up the stage for. It was as if upstairs was the first act, downstairs was the second act, and, the final act … well, the final act was the opening itself, and the meanderings of conversation and talk about the images upon the walls – the artists themselves, each of them a frazzled frenzy as they tried to speak to everyone at once – you could see the past few weeks burnt into their eyes, an irascible glow mitigated between joy and exhaustion.

Even now, trying to encapsulate this show in words really just doesnt do it justice. Was it the 10m mural, created by all of the crew in one brilliant montage of style? Was it the installation downstairs, jagged and edged, and yet feeling as it was merely a natural extension of the room? Was it the collaborative works, that made me feel as if I had been introduced to a whole swath of new, unique artists, “ghost” artists whose only existence in upon a canvas of work created by two or more of the artists? Was it one of my favourite pieces, a small image of a guy laying down with text by Li-Hill, which didn’t grab me immediately … until I looked closer, and saw the beautiful solar panels of a fucking soviet era inspired space station emerging from a etched mist of lines? Fuck yeah.

Was it the fact that every AWOL artist contributed to the show, and the only time I had been able to see how they worked together had been back at the NGV – which, frankly, was a great piece, but nothing next to this?

Slicers impressionistic-abstract letterforms, Adnates soulful eyes and laconic, colourful women,  Lucy Lucys patterned and evocative girls, Itchs sublime surrealistic assaults, Li-Hills lines – those fkn lines! and Deams amazing geometric directions I hadn’t seen before. It was all of the above – it was fucking AWOL.

Anyways, I could probably ramble on about this show for a long time – others probably will. So, in lieu of my espousing even more shit in an attempt to annunciate how I felt about it all, and failing dismally, check out the video they’ve just put out, and then check out all the photos we got on the night … massive thanks to Dave Russell for grabbing all of these for us!

For the past two years Dean Sunshine has embarked on a passionate mission to capture the vibrancy and beauty of street art across Melbourne.

With a long history of association with graffiti and street art, Sunshine has witnessed countless works in action, discovered hidden gems and documented artwork loved by
street art communities and dedicated fans both locally and around the world.

Dean’s blog, Land Of Sunshine, has been a beckoning destination for all who enjoy their photographic fix of art on Melbourne’s streets and lanes. With this print version, Dean has created a 300 page book titled Land of Sunshine, the first in many years that represents the globally recognised Melbourne street art movement in its cross-genre entirety.

Over a hundred Melbourne artists are featured, with special exposés on a dozen specific artists who have made their impressions on Melbourne’s walls, including: Adnate, Be Free, CDH, Deb, Drab, Heesco, Kaff-eine, Makatron, Phoenix the street artist, Slicer, Suki and Urban Cake Lady.

All the photographs contained within the book have been captured by Dean on his many paintspotting adventures. The wide variety of mediums used and the Melbourne street art community as a whole are also well represented with chapters on walls, paste ups, exhibitions, international artists and installations.

“Land of Sunshine is a moment of captured time in the kaleidoscope of art that has adorned Melbourne in this, the second decade of our ‘new millennium’. In my mind this book, in regards to Melbourne street art, is as critical a piece of cultural documentation as any other produced”

Land of Sunshine will be exclusively available at General Pants stores nationwide from early November 2012, via the blog deansunshine.com, with other retail outlets to be confirmed in November.

All sales from Land of Sunshine will be put towards future editions, furthering the wish of Sunshine to provide regular snapshots of Melbourne artwork online and via printed media.

The Land Of Sunshine book launch will be located, suitably, in a laneway and studio in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy. AWOL, WSW & Kaff-eine  will be painting both the laneway and interior of the venue. Food and drink will be provided by a plethora of amazing sponsors – including Absolut, Capi, General Pants, Super Bock, Noodlebox and of course, we here at Invurt.

Capacity at this event is LIMITED – please RSVP via email to  register your attendance before Wednesday November 13th.

For further information please contact:
landofsunshineparty@gmail.com

Who: A huge variety of Melbourne, interstate and international street artists
What: Land Of Sunshine Book Launch
Where: Rear 359 Brunswick St (Behind The Evelyn – Entry via Laneway), Fitzroy, VIC
When: Thursday November 15th,  from 6pm til 10pm – one night only!!

Capacity at this event is LIMITED – please RSVP via email to to register to attend before Wednesday November 13th.

Check out the facebook event page for more information as well as Dean Sunshines site.

Kind Of – Gallery has found a new home on Oxford Street, and to celebrate they opened with a massive group show titled ‘Fuck You / I Am.’ The premise; a bunch of Sydney’s new and known artists were given a piece of furniture from the 50′s to 70′s to ‘deface.’ On display were a cupboard, record player, sofas, table & chairs and loads of old framed artworks that more than appreciate a face lift.

BENNET, Bridge Stehli, Deb, Dboe, and Pigeon Boy were among those who transformed the old and used to the new and now. After a huge renovation it was great to see the show was a raging success, we’re super excited to see what else the guys can bring to this shiny new space.

Last week saw the opening of Stormie Mills latest solo show, People & Places, at Melbournes Metro Gallery.

As to be expected, Stormie brought his “A game”, with a delectable array of his stylised, emotive characters spread across the walls of the gallery.

Something else we loved, was the “cityscape” piece that heralded the show – this piece was different – we saw something like this of his in a previous show, after he had visited Antarctica, and, we have to say, it was gorgeous and we hope to see even more of this abstractia in the future!

Check out all the photos from the opening below, thanks to Dave Russell …

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Acclaim here, from their mag to their events (including Carbon festival!) these guys know how to do it, and do it right.

So when we saw that they were doing a Sydney launch party, with a buckload of tunes and two of Sydneys finest street artists putting on a display, we figured that you’d want to know about it too!

"Well it’s been a minute since ACCLAIM had a launch in Sydney so we figured we’re overdue and we’re ready to pack up the ACCLAIM wagon and make our way north to sunny ol’ Sydney-town.

It all goes down Thursday September 20^th. Thanks to our friends at The Backroom in Potts Point, we’ll be putting on a night of good tunes, brews and visuals (courtesy of Beastman and Numskull). Kicking off at 7pm, get in early to enjoy the Tiger Beer and Monteith’s Crushed Apple Cider and enjoy sets from Well Dressed Vandals, Captain Franco, Etienne and Grizzy.

… and you know what? We’ll be in Sydney this week, so see you there!

Who: Beastman, Numskull and tunes by Well Dressed Vandals, Captain Franco Etienne and Grizzy,
What: Acclaim Magazine #27 launch – The Saviour Edition
Where: The Backroom, 2A Roselyn St. Potts Point
When: Thursday September 20^th 7pm – Late

Check out Acclaim Magazine and the facebook event page for more info!

This was a show we were all looking forward to, and Hiroyasu Tsuri ( TwoOne ) did not disappoint. TwoOne is just one of those artists who continues to push the boundaries, his work has equal street and contemporary appeal and always challenges the eye.

Congratulations to Alex Mitchell and the crew down at Backwoods Gallery, for putting together such a great show, as expected from a TwoOne solo, it left us amazed.

This show has to be one of the most amazing we have seen – Shohei Otomo; master of the ball point pen. His work left us spellbound, as all of those who have seen the show would agree.

Thanks to Lesley Kehoe Galleries and Alexander Mitchell from Backwoods for bringing Shohei Otomo to Australia for this debut exhibition – he put on a great show. For those who didn’t go to the opening, get down over the next few weeks, you wont be disappointed.

We heard news of this a few months ago, and its finally here! This Friday sees the launch of an awesome collaboration of Sydney artists, creatives and bloggers into a superfest of art, ideas and talent – fuckin a!

“THE HOURS is a joint venture by three long time friends and artists, Brad Eastman (Beastman), Marty Routledge and Numskull. These three Sydney locals have each been instrumental in developing and enriching the Australian contemporary, street, graffiti and low brow art community over the last decade. They are now combining their many skills, fans, ideas, contacts and thriving ambition into THE HOURS, which promises to be an innovative creative force for years to come.

To celebrate their launch, THE HOURS presents an exhibition of new paintings by a few of their friends: Beastman, Ben Frost, Bennett, Ears, Edward Woodley, Ghostpatrol, Jae Copp, Joel Birch, Jumbo, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Kyle Montgomery, Man Man, Mark Alsweiler, Max Berry, Miso, Numskull, Phibs, Roach, Sean Morris, Slug, Thomas Jackson, Trent Whitehead, Twoone and Vans the Omega.

THE HOURS have handpicked and invited these 24 talented artists from all over Australia to express their individual style of art making in circle format for an exhibition not to be missed.

Stay tuned to The Opening Hours for more information and previews of the work. All the artworks will also be available for purchase through the website.”

On top of that, The Opening Hours has just relaunched their site today, and its lookin mighty damn fine!

It’s really great to see all these guys getting together and launching something that we are sure is going to be a fantastic project, and will do great things for the Australian art scene -  and we wish them every success on their venture! For now, however, go celebrate their launch this coming Friday, wish we could make it up there for it!

Who: Beastman, Ben Frost, Bennett, Ears, Edward Woodley, Ghostpatrol, Jae Copp, Joel Birch, Jumbo, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Kyle Montgomery, Man Man, Mark Alsweiler, Max Berry, Miso, Numskull, Phibs, Roach, Sean Morris, Slug, Thomas Jackson, Trent Whitehead, Twoone, and Vans the Omega.
What: The Hours Launch Party
Where: The Tate, 345 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, Sydney
When: Launch party starts Friday 7th September at 6pm, and the exhibition runs until the 9th September.

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