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[weAREtheIMAGEmakers] is a not for profit online publication which promotes australian artists, illustrators, designers and photographers. The site was launched in 2005 & since then, a new issue has been published online every couple of months, each featuring interviews with some of Australia's most talented artists and photographers. The first official WATIM event was last year's 12x12 exhibition at Sydney's aMBUSH gallery and the time has come for a sequel! (WATIM also held the Grrrls group show which we posted about back in February and have supported many others.)

Artwork by James Hancock, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

12x12 is back with a fresh new line-up of artists from all over the country, and WATIM is taking this visual treat to audiences in both Sydney & Melbourne. As you'll probably have gathered by now, 12 Australian artists were invited to participate, exhibiting 12 artworks created on 12"x12" canvasses. I'm looking forward to seeing the result - it promises to be impressive!

Artwork by ghostpatrol, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

The 12 participating artists are from all around Australia...

apeseven - www.apeseven.com (Sydney)
ghostpatrol - www.ghostpatrol.net (Melbourne)
jae copp - www.soopkichn.com (Gold Coast)
james hancock - www.jamesgulliverhancock.com (Sydney)
jeremyville - www.jeremyville.com (Sydney)
junior - www.flickr.com/photos/juniorland (Melbourne)
luke feldman - www.skaffs.com {Melbourne)
miso - www.cityofreubens.com (Melbourne)
paul meates - www.wasnotme.com (Perth)
plump oyster- www.plumpoyster.com (Brisbane)
sam smith - www.blackbookno1.com (Gold Coast)
smc[3] - www.myspace.com/smc333 (Sydney)

Artwork by apeseven, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

Both Liss of Daydream Lily & Julia of Studio Home Creative posted about miso's amazing work last week. I can't wait to see what she'll be exhibiting at 12x12... and I don't have to wait long at all! 12x12 opens tonight at aMBUSH gallery just one suburb away in Waterloo.

Artwork by jae copp, exhibitor in the 12x12 exhibition presented by [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]

Opening night in Sydney is Friday 20.6.2008, from 6pm - 9pm at aMBUSH gallery with the exhibition continuing until Saturday 5.7.2008. 12x12 then travels to Melbourne to open at no vacancy gallery on Friday 18.7.2008 (6pm - 9pm) and continues until Friday 25.7.2008.

Hip? Young? Feisty? Yes? Then Young Lovers will be the perfect fit. Whether you're hanging out in Newtown or New York, you're sure to stand out from the crowd in one of these spunky screen printed tees. Pictured top left is "Pirate King" (AUD $59) with the "Young Lovers" signature print (AUD $59) right next door.

The Sydney label has recently released its highly anticipated third collection, titled "Midnight Twilight". The bold new prints "celebrate the madness of midnight love and all that surrounds it. It is for the sleepless ones who dare to not follow. It is the Young Lovers who will take over the city by night." A few neon colours should help out there - pictured above are "Guns&Arms" (left AUD $59) and "Murdermouse" (right, AUD $59).

I'm wondering which of these two tees is the scariest? The title of the daytime soap "Young & Restless" (left, AUD $59) or the razor sharp teeth of "Vampire Hounds" (right, AUD $59)? (I must admit now to having purchased the Young & Restless cookbook... and I was rather dissappointed to find that it lacked the drama of both the TV show and the t-shirt.)

This design has to be my favourite from the new range - a highly decorative traditional frame borders an image depicting a black cat eating licorice at midnight... (AUD $59) Below are "Lovers" (left, AUD $50) and "Dancing Shoes" (right, AUD $59). You'll be looking sharp in those!

Young Lovers tees are produced in strictly limited editions of 100. They are available in both guys & girls styles but you'd better be getting a move on as a couple of styles (not shown here) have already sold out. You can purchase tees directly from the Young Lovers web site at www.younglovers.com.au, or seek them out at the following stockists:

NSW: Beautiful on the Inside (Surry Hills), Roof on Fire (Paddington), Mint (Manly).
VIC: Kids in Berlin
QLD: Violent Green

A little while ago, we were lucky enough to win a competition held by fellow Australian design blog & designers' network Design Federation. Among our prizes were two tees from the world's least dangerous t-shirt label, Sweat-Shop Productions. When quizzed about the real origins of the colourful tees with the biting slogans, creator Klaus replied "Unfortunately, there are no real sweatshops in Australia of note, so I had to travel overseas to find one with real child labour to make the tees as authentic as possible."
Of course you did!

The original motivation behind the label was, naturally, to change the world with a t-shirt. Since then, Klaus has discovered that it's not really possible... but does find the tees make an easy option for birthdays & Christmas gifts.
He says, "Some people drink or do drugs, this is my vice. I have enormous chips on my shoulders and am also a very bitter person - I generally spit in disgust when simply looking in the mirror. This is all the impetus I need to come up with cheesy slogan-based designs."

The designs pictured above are "Samurai" (left) and "Mum's Alert, Dad's Alarmed, I'm Afraid" (right, AUD $30). These are two of many witty "Politricks" slogans and artworks featured on Sweat-Shop Productions t-shirts & posters. A selection of the t-shirt range is available from the Sweat-Shop Productions MadeIt store. Thanks again for the prizes, guys!

Following up from my last post, here are some photos of the deck artworks. Thanks to Nicole for sending through these images from dexhibition at Panic Urban Streetwear & Counter Culture! At the top is artwork by SMC. Pictured below (left to right) is artwork by Max Berry (Sydney), Nicole (Melbourne), Junior, SMC (Sydney), Deam (Melbourne) and Ears (Sydney).

Pictured below (left to right) is artwork by Luke Ryan (Melbourne), Eaten Rabbit (Melbourne), Petite Mort, Max Berry (Sydney) and Nicole (Melbourne).

dexhibition opened over the weekend at Panic Urban Streetwear & Counter Culture at 28 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Melbourne. On display is a collection of artworks that use the humble skate deck as a canvas. dexhibition features over 24 skateboard designs by both established & up and coming artists from Melbourne & Sydney including:

deb, pete @ devils ink, pierre lloga, luke ryan, pep, junior, deam, slap, kid zoom, omer, caleb, smc, phibs, trog, eaten rabbit, que, i like things, drew, six one, nicole, agoe, petite mort, max berry, ears.

Though I haven't visited the Panic store/gallery in person, they also look to have some interesting clothing & accessories including Melbourne label deliri'art & Sydney label My Genocide Clothing. Panic is dedicated to supporting emerging designers, musicians, film makers and artists by providing a space where these people can exhibit, create and perform. Somewhere to visit next time I'm in Melbourne!