INVURT

It was a sad moment last week when I got the invite from the At Large crew about their closing down event this coming weekend. I knew it was on its way, but it was still lamentable when I got the invitation to their very last event – and I’m even sadder still that I can’t attend due to being in Perth for the weekend!

It’ll be hard to imagine Northcote without At Large Gallery – and I can’t help but say a few words about the people, shows, and the crew there. Please excuse me whilst I take a rare moment to talk on a personal level – and, in case you don’t want to read my shit, just jump down to the bottom of the post for all the info on the actual event!

I attended the opening of At Large (I’m pretty sure it was the first article I posted on this blog, actually), and I even had a piece in that very first show – I believe that was the first show in Melbourne that I had put a piece in since I’d moved here. I’d met the crew through a mutual friend pretty much as soon as I had first arrived in the ‘burn – two people whose own art I immediately loved, and who had, no, made, time for someone who was still fresh eyed and full for questions about Melbourne and its art.

As it happened, I also put some work into a few other group shows there, and, I had two of my own there also. The biggest moment, for me, was holding my first solo show, Inhabited Times, at the gallery – which was amazing and had an amazing turn out. I pretty much did the show because of the guys there, they inspired me – after years of drawing in books and never showing anyone the stuff I’d been doing, they made me so comfortable and were so encouraging that I couldn’t not – they helped me take my art out of my own private little world  – and since then, I haven’t looked back.

Invurt and the crew at At Large also put on the group show there, Cardbordia with a bunch of other great artists, it was so much fun covering the walls in Cardboard and making an instillation styled show – what a blast.

So, to say that the place has a special place in my heart is an understatement. At Large, the crew themselves and their many helpers, as well as the people I met through the gallery and its shows,  and those I became friends with along the way, were one of the inspirations behind my starting this whole website – if you’re a fan of Invurt, then there’s a part of thanks that should be directed to the At Large crew for what you see today.

Beyond myself, there is absolutely no questions as to what these guys did for the Melbourne art, and upcoming and established artists. You need to only look at the list of exhibitions they’ve held over the past three years to get an inkling as to the kinds of artists they helped promote and support, the shows that they worked on and the events that they also held. With names like Heesco, Adi, Simz, Mupz, Jak Rapmund, Nicole Tattersall, Mishap, Rachee Renee, Sketch City and so many more … take all those great shows, and combine them with a whole range of events, battles, workshops, live art, great tunes, good beer, great people – well.

So, in their own words …

"After three ears in Northcote, At Large are closing its doors at 208 High St!!

We have always run At Large as we felt fit, and through this unconventional practice have met some truly amazing Artists, DJs, Emcees, and some of the most chilled beautiful down to earth people here, (some of who are now our family.) We have run countless gigs, openings, exhibitions and festival days, and it has been a great hub for Artists and all sorts. The ride has been amazing and unforgettable, but for now we just need a break, and a new chapter to focus on our lives and our own art.

Mishap and Dopio will be back in 2012 curating and participating in battles and exhibitions, burning walls and getting drunk in your backyard. We would love to thank every single person who made the last few years what it was by buying a can of paint, sharing a beer or spliff, or coming to a show. We are humbled by the amount of support we’ve gotten from our big Melbourne fam, customers and regulars. It has been an absolute pleasure.

Please contact us through the At Large email or website for future projects, jobs, and the usual from now on ‘cos we won’t have a shop for too much longer but we are STILL AT LARGE."

Before they close their doors, however, there is the aforementioned closing party – and, as usual with the way these guys roll, it’ll be a fkn great night – art battle, and merchandise and art up for grabs at awesome prices!

"We are closed to pack up shop generally from now until the 26th so come hang out for the last time @ At Large on Sunday 27th Nov 2011, watch Getn Jigy, Twos and Glyphics battle it out, sink a few beers and check out the huge instore sale.

15-60% off EVERYTHING including

• brand new Sourpuss range of kooky kitchen ware, beach towels, skull cushions, lamps and unique gift ware you won’t find anywhere else
• all tees and streetwear
• custom graffiti lamps made by Jest
• ALL ART AND PRINTS by various Artists
• ALL IRONLAK 6 PACKS A FURTHER 10% OFF SO $40 EACH SIXER

We will also be selling most shopfitting and furnishings so if you see anything you like or need make us an offer!!

Hope to see you all there and thanks again for your love!"

See what I mean? Going out in total style!

Anyways, the silver lining about the gallery closing is also personal – I can’t help but feel a little lightened at the news knowing that this now frees up two of my mates to come painting with us on the weekends (which is the only time I get to paint due to this whole full time work bullshit!). They’ve already both taught me a lot – about painting, about Melbourne, and about a whole bunch of amazing artists and creative individuals that they tirelessly supported – and I really can’t wait to hit some walls with them now that they aren’t stuck in the gallery.

J & B – thanks for the beers, thanks for the shows, thanks for the support and for all you did for the Melbourne street art culture with At Large Gallery, we’re looking forward to seeing what you guys get up to next year – now, lets fkn paint!

Who: The At Large crew and live art battles from Getn Jigy, Twos and Glyphics.
What: Live art, sales and awesome fun times.
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High St, Northcote, VIC
When: Sunday 27th november, 1pm til 6pm – and then closed forever!

Check out the At Large Gallery website, and the facebook event page for more information.

Oh hell yeah – after a hiatus last year after a huge event in 2009, it looks like the Northcote festival is back (albeit in a slightly smaller form. As At Large Gallery will be along that section of High Street that they will be closing off for the afternoon, it stands to reason that the crew at the gallery would put something on themselves for the festival!

"As part of High Streets Inaugural ‘High Noon’ Festival this Sunday, At Large hosts our biggest graff jam yet with 12 Old and New School writers doin it up in our whole backyard!

On the lineup are: Keisha (QLD), Snotty, Presto (NSW), Kaligs, Smeg, Mupz, Enix (WA), Ishi, Getn Jigy, Muchacho, Ghosto (NSW), Rukkus
+ DJ’s, Rolex Bifta (WA) Hip Hop, Peacey P Hip Hop Set, Warpaint Dubstep, Rayza (WA), Impervious Enemy + Sausage Sizzle

Production starts at 10.30am, Judges Mishap, Dopio & Guest Judge TBA will announce the best piece at 5pm

Winner of best piece of the day will receive a 12 Pack of Ironlak Paint in their choice of colors, a T-shirt and stickers. Second place will receive 6 lil laks, T-shirt and sticker pack.

High Noon Festival is run by the Northcote Business Association and Darebin Council, the streets will be closed from Clarke St to Separation St which the gallery lies within so public transport is probably the best option. Entry is via donation at the gates, but entry to the Gallery is FREE."

Oh yeah, we will definitely be there, what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
 
Who: Keisha (QLD), Snotty, Presto (NSW), Kaligs, Smeg, Mupz, Enix (WA), Ishi, Getn Jigy, Muchacho, Ghosto (NSW), Rukkus
+ DJ’s, Rolex Bifta (WA) Hip Hop, Peacey P Hip Hop Set, Warpaint Dubstep, Rayza (WA), Impervious Enemy + Sausage Sizzle
What: At Large Graff Jam – High St Festival showcase
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote, Victoria
When: This Sunday, 18th September, 10:30am til 7pm

Check out the At Large Gallery website and the facebook event page for more info!

After a brief hiatus, MSA is back with his Top Tens and its a damn fine collection of Melbourne street art! Top Tens will be out on Sundays now, following on from our Saturday Snapshots – so keep heading back over the weekends for all your photo goodness!

So heres MSAs latest Top Ten – all are snapshots from across Melbourne, just click the images for the full version .. have a grand Sunday!

If you take shots regularly around your area, and wish to be a Top Ten contributor, just contact us.

It’s artists like Enix, who have been quietly working away at their passion and putting on shows of high quality, exploratory art, who often capture the imagination and heart of the aficionado within us.

The colourful and often dream like nature of his work is something that caught my attention a long time ago. Hanging out with the At Large crew up in Northcote, I met Enix within the week I arrived, and he was just someone whose company I immediately enjoyed. That we shared many of the same interests and that we were also both originally  from Perth was just as cool – and it didn’t take me long to start seeing his work popping up around the place, and to be inspired by it, and by his general creative demeanour. The reason I mention all of this, is that its fairly common for a artists personality to be reflected in their work – and there is just something within Enix’s that reflects his perfectly.

Beyond the personal, Enix just does beautiful-cool art. He has a flair for wonderfully surreal moments and scenes of meditative fantasy. With his fourth solo show, Sayonara, a "farewell" exhibition before he embarks on an international adventure, we caught up with Enix for a chat about all things good and art. If you haven’t discovered the work of this great creative talent just yet, read on, and be enlightened …

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Our friend Enix will be taking off to distant shores soon, but before he heads off to the wide world of madventureland, he’ll be having a last display of his recent work – his fourth solo show, Sa.yo.na.ra!

"This will be the final exhibition before en?x goes to swim in a larger pond in Europe. The 4th and last Australian exhibition for some time, yet one of the earliest of many to come. The works on show are created primarily with a mix of aerosol & acrylic. For the first time there will be some of the digital works on offer presented with options of numbered print framed or unframed. Prints of previous works will also be available."

…Hailing from the desolate wasteland of Perth Western Australia, a place of rare beauty (a.k.a heat and boredom) en?x rose from the ashes and moved to Melbourne in 2007.

After arriving he was reborn from his creative slumber to a new outlook of colour and vitality. This has been a rebirth.
Bringing influences from a plethora of different disciplines including 3D Modelling and Animation, Graphic Design and Mixed Media, Enix strives to stretch new styles constantly. Enix plans to cover the world in delicious colours that can be chewed on and savoured by those who have the hunger."

We have been big fans of Enix’s work for some time now, and we’re both happy to see this show, but sad to see him go – so get down to this to see an artist who is truly delving deep into the land of curiosity, it’ll be a little while before you get another chance!

Who: Enix
What: Sa.yo.na.ra. solo show
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote, VIC
When: Show opens Friday 26th August from 6pm til 9pm, and runs til 2nd September

Check out the At Large Gallery website and the facebook event page for more details on the show!

Vetti returns with her latest InUrban guest blog, giving us a glimpse into the work that she has been admiring around her neighbourhood, Melbournes vibrant suburb of Northcote …

The Word On The Street …

As you probably know, the northside of Melbourne is blessed with a plethora of street art. What you may not realise, is that it’s not all just vibrant images. There are some poignant and talented wordsmiths out on the streets, with an ongoing desire to share thought-provoking and beautiful work…

P.F Danado is a particular favourite of mine. Look out for distinctive
purple stencilled figures (sometimes in frames) and dymo labels with the subject’s name beneath.

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In our newest feature column, InUrban, we’ve been asking bloggers, writers and general art aficionados to do small spotlights on the areas in which they live, bringing highlights to suburbs and towns across Australia. If you love your hometown, suburb or city, and wish to do a spotlight piece on what’s going on around there, no matter where you are, just contact us.

First up is Vetti, from the amazing Vetti Live In Northcote blog – Vetti will be doing a monthly post as a part of Inurban, highlighting the Northcote area in the greater Melbourne metro area. Starting off with some recent work by Snotrag, as well as covering some of the work thats been done around Northcote for the Northern Exposure festival, Vetti knows her home, and she knows her art …

Vetti – Northcote

Why do I love Northcote so much? For a start, the north is full of creative people, and there’s just so much art to enjoy – both on, and off the streets …

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It’s been a few weeks since our last Press Mill, but there’s been a fair bit of news across both Oz and NZ in the past few weeks, so here’s our informal wrap up of what’s been going on in the mainstream media in terms of street art, and its ilk, across Australia and NZ…

Most of the recent media attention has been focused on the New South Wales governments new anti-graffiti legislation, and its been overwhelmingly a sad read this week through a slush pile of relatively crap, sensationalist and biased articles. It’s unfortunate also, that with the introduction of these new laws, several councils have also removed their support or get rid of several legal walls across NSW – and this, to us here, just defies all logic. We guess, according to the NSW government, that unless its a semi abstract pastel coloured painting with the image of a beach in the background, hanging in some gallery cluttered with zimmer framed connoisseurs, it just mustn’t be art.

• Links to news articles on the new NSW laws are here, and to be honest, this will all depress you. Young artists now face criminal court, increased fines, and can be stripped of a drivers license – wtf? Graff artist JONES from Lismore has good words about it all in the Northern Star … this is a pretty balanced article from the SMH on opinion points on both sides, nice.
• Apparently, with no statistics or any real research research, the CEO for “Keep Australia Beautiful” has stated that legal graffiti walls –increase- the rate of illegal graffiti and he also wants to get rid of them, despite clear statistics from local councils across Australia that have shown that legal walls actually decrease it … umm, sorry Peter McLean – wot? 
• Lets just get the depressing news out of the way, right? In Adelaide, St Peters council just buffed over a legal wall that had been done by eight different artists on the side of the Bond Gallery – don’t these fool councils actually check these things first?
• The anti-art keeps on rolling, and expect to see lots of beautiful “Council Grey” adorning the walls of Yarra Ranges … again, if there were murals on these walls, what need would there be to buff them? This is coupled with the awesome talents of the Warner Awareness Education Group who are going around to local schools teaching kids the valuable “art is a crime” lesson.
• Oh look, we finally got around to some nice news – we love Yarn Bombing, and there is a bunch of it going on in the Clarence Valley! Well done Grafton Regional Gallery on supporting it all.
• Everyone in Brisbane should vote for Ray Smith in the upcoming mayoral race, it sounds like this guy actually has a clue about the arts, and wants to actually put money and some consideration into laneway projects for street art in Brisvegas – good luck, Ray.
• Someones been going around painting dumped mattresses around the Sunshine Coast – they look pretty cool! Grand idea.
• We saw C.O.P. Magazine a few months ago, and theres an article in the Mt Druitt Standard featuring Jo Alvarez. If you don’t know what C.O.P. is, its a magazine aimed at and that covers, female street and graffiti artists across the globe – and its really cool.
• Here’s a great article on this years Northern Exposure festival in Northcote next week, which this year has a very specific street art theme with its Small Works Small Spaces component. Dope.
• Why is it that when mainstream media sees something creative out on the streets that’s a little different, they always invoke the B word? Regardless, this sounds like it was a pretty cool idea that happened up in Brisbane last week.
• NZ artists are up and supporting Amnesty International this week – I think we’ll post an event about this one shortly!
• Lots of support for kiwi artist Eno in the last few weeks, after his run ins with authorities and the media after his attempts at beautifying his city. Much respect, bro.
• Theres a cool article up today with Frank Liew from Qubic & Hypebeast up at the NZ Herald – a great guy doing great things for creatives. Heres ten of his favourite things.
• George Shaw and Anne Rush are pushing for more public art to be done in Nelson in the leadup to the Rugby World Cup – such a great idea, and its so good to see people championing these kinds of things. Shaw is also the organiser of the Oi You Urban Art Project, that we’ll be covering later down the track …

Okay, that’s enough information overload for now, we’ve probably fulfilled our drabagoogle quota for the week – hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks media wrap up!

We love the group shows at the At Large Gallery in Northcote – some of our favourite nights have been had there in recent times! So we’re delighted to see that they are once again a big part in the Northern Exposure festival that will be happening around Northcote next week.

“With Over 20 Artists in one show, Small Works At Large is our Largest Group Show of the Year, as part of the Northcote Northern Exposure Art Festival.

The Festival (run by Darebin Council, Northcote Business Association) involves different variants that aim to highlight and promote High St. Northcote as a Creative Hub for Artists and Art lovers. This year, Northern Exposure includes ‘Small Works in Small Spaces’ which brings art to the facade of High St itself, as well as ‘High Views’ (Art in Shop Windows), coinciding with Opening Nights of Gallery Exhibitions.

We have been involved in Northern Exposure since At Large opened it’s doors three years ago, but this year we are even more so, as Northern Exposure is opening itself up to Street Art as this years theme. The owners of At Large will be painting walls around Northcote as well as curating this mammoth Group Exhibit of talent.

Each artist has been asked to submit 3 small pieces to the show, which will be opening on the same Friday as the rest of Northern Exposure’s launch. Our gallery is launching our participation in the Festival by having a clothes sale, record sale, Live DJ’s, sponsored wine, Open Courtyard, Late Close and of course a gallery JAM packed with affordable fresh new artwork.”

Be there – the whole of Northcote will be covered in great art, and At Large will be at the centre of it for all your low brow, illustrative, urban and just plain cool needs.

Who: Jacqueline Gwynne, Ishi, Rebecca Murphy (NSW), Eaven, Ruskidd, Rachee Renee, Enix, Ryan McGennisken, Hollie M Kelley, Muchacho, Mia Grant, Dilly, Aubrey Rhodes (USA), Mia Grant, Mishap, Emily Hasselhoof, Bon, Bengamin, Sim Two (WA),Alchemist (NZ), Kalin Thompson (USA), Fletcher Andersen (WA), Nicole Tattersall
What: Small Works At Large group show
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote, VIC
When: Show opens Friday 17th June, 6pm til 10pm

Check out the At Large website for more details!

With what looks to be another grand exhibition at At Large Gallery in Northcote, Adele Wilkes, Mr Mupz and Jak Rapmund will be holding a trio show at the end of May. Each artists holds a unique style, each to their own, united by the use of black and gold colour palettes through their works.

We interviewed Jak Rapmund not so long ago, on the tail of his design for the hugely flavoursome and tasty Doss Blockos, and alongside the talents of Mr Mupz and Adele Wilkes this show is just another reason to get out to Northcote on opening night – shows like this, with talented individuals working together to get themselves out there, is, in our books, what its all about.

Who: Jak Rapmund, Mr Mupz & Adele Wilkes
What: Black & Gold group show.
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote, Vic
When: Show opens Friday 20th May, 6pm til 9pm, and runs til the 3rd of June.

Check out the At Large Gallery website, Mr Mupz and Jak Rapmunds sites for more info on the show and the artists.

The talented Heesco kindly sent us through some photos from his opening of Mongo Hustle at At Large Gallery the other week – it was such a cool damn show, and if you missed itm you’ll love the images of his work and the opening. The night also featured an amazing performance of live beatbox and Mongolian throat singer Bukhu as well, which everyone was totally enamoured of – we really want to see more!

If you’re interested in any  of these or any of Heescos over work, get over to his facebook page and check out what he’s been up to lately.

If anyone has photos from openings or events that they would like to send us to put up, we are more than happy to publish them for you – zip them up, and contact us (just attach the zip file), and we’ll make it so!

One of our favourites, Rachee Renee, teams up with Zsandor to bring you a joint exhibition at the most awesome At Large Gallery. The show will “explore a personal journey into the past, digging out cobwebs of forgotton life tales, and shedding them onto the canvas to make way for the new.”

This looks like a great duo show, from two highly talented artists, and we can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with!

“With both artists stemming from a street art background, this exhibition mixes street art and fine art elements using aerosol, acrylic, oil, markers and a host of other mixed media.”

Who: Rachee Renee & Zsandor
What: Let Go duo show
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote, VIC
When: Show opens Friday April 15th, 6pm til 9pm, and runs til April 29th

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

They just keep rolling on, and this time its At Large Galleries final show of the year, in the shape of an art auction. Manix and Able will be doing the honours for the auction – plus, cool DJs and a bit of beer garden action while you’re at it – if the weather permits! At Large has had some really fun shows this year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with next year!

“STREET ART WILL BE AUCTIONED OFF BY ABLE AND MANIX FREESTYLING WHILE YOU BID ON YOUR FAVORITE PIECE AND GO HOME WITH BARGAIN!

The auction starts 8.30, beats before/after by GHOSTSOUL and guest acts. Cheap beer, garden open if weather permits, come buy some cheap art, support good hip hop and have a little play at the gallery before we close for a couple of weeks!”

 
Who: Manix, Able, Ghostsoul, guest acts and artists
What: Hip Hop art auction
Where: At Large Gallery, 208 High Street, Northcote, VIC
When: Friday 17th December, 7pm til 10p[m – Auction starts at 8:30pm

Check out the facebook event page for more info.

Once again its been a busy week in the lead up to the xmas season – some last shows all over for different galleries, and a whole bunch of different events going on.

This week we did a mini review of three shows, the A3 Small Art Show, that opened last week to a packed out For Walls Gallery (go check out the facebook page for a catalogue of all the work, and the pieces that haven’t sold yet – its for charity!), Cardbordia and Toy To The World. We also did a great interview with the talented Max Berry, and we also managed to grab some great words with Urban Cake Lady.

Anyways, here’s a rundown of all the cool stuff you can go see over the weekend …

Melbourne

• Tiger Translate on on Sunday. We posted about this earlier in the week, and since then we’ve been able to get a really good overview of whats going on. A whole bunch of artists, great music, a competition worth checking out – if its not too late, and they have any spots left, sign up to their facebook page and keep an eye out for any entry places left – can safely say that it wont disappoint.
• Some friends and I opened up Cardbordia week, great crowd at the opening – but beyond that, it was just a fun show to put together and, imho, worth a look to just check out the crazy we created!
• Kami & Sasu’s Omni is still on at Backwoods gallery – this also opened last Friday – really looks amazing – its a must see show.
• about:blank also opened last Friday at Paradise Hills – a show with a difference, low brow meets high tech – they’re going all out to bring us different and interesting shows.
• As I mentioned earlier, the A3 Small Art Show is still on at For Walls Gallery – go, go, go.
• Short, Sharp & Sweet opened up on Thursday night– a melding of graff, pop and comic imagery, this one looks great.
• Scottie “Bonsai” Neohs show Birds On Oak is still on at the No Vacancy project space at Fed Square til early December

Sydney

• Anthony Lister opened his show, Memories Not Included, this week. We briefly talked to Lister about it last week and did a small feature on the show. The Opening Hours also has some great shots from the opening.
• Jumbo and Zap open their show, Planetarium, tonight! IT looks grand also.
• aMBUSH Gallery opens the IM/Ignore Mainstream group show next Thursday.
• Nice Piece of Art, with PT & Jessi Cat, opens at China Heights last tonight – girls girls girls galore.

Brisbane

• The group show, Paper Tales, opened at Nine Lives Gallery this week.
• Spare Parts, at the Brisbane Powerhouse, is still on until the 5th of December.

Canberra

• The good folks from Metro Gallery have taken a show, Exterior Motives, up to the ACT to coincide with the NGA’s Space Invaders show – check it out.

Perth

• If you’re there, you already know about it – there is a whole bunch of street art related stuff going on at the Beaufort St Festival this weekend – we didn’t get a chance to cover it, we were way too busy this week, but you can check out some of the cool stuff going at the festival over at our friends ArtistsWA

Other bits and pieces

• Curvy and Muscle up have been having their release shows! Grab a copy of it as soon as you can.
• Loved this new piece from Makatron – crazy cat cool.
• Cool Kami & Sasu print available at Nice Produce – also check out some pics of their opening night.
• Reka has a feature in the latest Hi Fructose magazine – great to see a local artist getting himself featured in one of our favourite mags! Go get a copy.

That’s pretty much all we have time to get to today .. again, if we’ve missed anything, just let us know.

Ez.

I’m totally art-ed out from the past week, with way too much happening! I did manage to get to a few openings and events though, namely the A3 Small Art show, Toy To The World and the Cardbordia show that I was part of with a bunch of other cool crew …  but I’m also looking forward to seeing the other shows whose openings I missed on Friday over the next few days – namely Kami & Sasu, about:blank and Scottie “Bonsai” Neoh’s one at Fed Square …

Anyways, I got a few shots along the way (I’m a crappy photographer so don’t hold it against me if they aren’t that shit-hot =P, so I figured I’d do a couple mini-reviews and post up a few of them up …

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I have to say that I am a big fan of the new Artboy Gallery in Prahran. Being a south-sider, away from the nest of things north of Victoria st,  its been great to see several new and existing galleries in the area starting to support more work of an urban and street art derivation.  Artboy is certainly one gallery helping to lead the charge in the area, and its range of works and artists is both varied and impressive in the talent stakes.

So, it was with a fair amount of satisfaction that I saw they were holding their first artist show since their opening only a few months ago, featuring one of their many supported artists, Dirtfish.

With a mesh of urban inspired styles, distinctive characters, and gritty, often thematically meshed works, we decided it best, of course, if we got the lowdown from the man himself on his works, the upcoming show, and what creative sparks lie within …

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