Prahran continues to go from strength to strength, shrugging off its gentrification stigmas with galleries, shows and art popping up all over the place. One of our favourite galleries, ArtBoy, continues to bring new an cool art to the area, and this next show from Tim Shepheard looks to be another fine addition to what can be seen in the area in the weeks to come.

Tim Shepheard is a multitalented artist, who eschews a wonderful pop sensibility with his artistic output, taking timeless images and iconic figures and enlivening them with modern edge.

“From his small town beginnings to jet setting around the world, Tim Shepheard’s first exhibition in 5 years celebrates the fame and glamour of the ‘International Icon’ with a quiet nod to his country town ‘kitschy’ roots.

Exhibiting professionally since 2000, it’s the merging of Tim’s eye for detail together with his perception of visual imagery that has led his artwork to evolve into such a unique and detailed style. Tim’s collection of portraits of 20^th century icons including the likes of Liz Taylor and Marilyn Monroe, are meticulously created dot by dot from vintage magazines. 

“The image itself is entirely created with dots similar to the way old newspaper pictures were printed. By applying this same principal, an image emerges made from tiny 5 cent piece-sized pictures and words. It is sort of like turning pre-digital printing back on itself.”

With magazine headlines like “Can Liza Really Love Two Men?” and “What Really Killed Marilyn? ”, Tim has been able to pay homage to both the Icon and the gossip tabloid press of the day. Hunting down magazines relating to the subject is paramount.

“The portrait of Marilyn Monroe is comprised from an original 1962 LIFE magazine where she graced the cover, sprinkled with some 1960’s Woman’s Weekly for good measure!”

Tim gained his Diploma in Theatre Crafts at NIDA in 2001 and jumped straight into the film industry. His career as a fabricator for a Melbourne-based creature workshop has seen him apply his talents to various TV, Film and international Arena spectaculars including:

Star Wars – Episode III, Charlotte’s Web, Rogue,Farscape, Walking With Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular and How To Train Your Dragon – The Arena Spectacular. Having sold work both locally and internationally, Tim’s dedication to his unique style of work never ceases to captivate and amaze.”

See, the things you learn – we had no idea that he was involved creating creatures for some of our favourite movies and shows – Walking with Dinosaurs! Awesome!

Can’t wait to get down to ArtBoy to see this one – cool as!

Who: Tim Shepheard
What: Tim Shepheard solo show
Where: ArtBoy Gallery, 99 Greville Street, Prahran, VIC
When: Show opens Friday 18th May, from 6pm til 9pm and runs until the 27th of May.

Check out the Artboy Gallery website, the Facebook event page, as well as Tim Shepheards website for more info.