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indie art & design blog
40 thieves
Opening in Melbourne on Thursday night is a new group exhibition... and a new gallery! To celebrate the opening of brand new artist space, Gorker Gallery, the 40 Thieves exhibition will fill the walls with a collection of 15x15inch artworks by some of the best leading international street and fine artists.
40 Thieves has been curated by Timba of Wooden Toy Quarterly and Nate Holmes Trapnell of The Southpaw. The artist lineup is impressive - the 40 thieves include some indie art & design favourites which you're sure to recognise...
"Gisele" limited edition print by MyCharlieGirl (Melbourne artist Bec Winnel)
Featured Thief 1: Bec Winnel
We've recently seen the work of MyCharlieGirl popping up in publications all over the place! Melbourne artist Bec Winnel creates delicate & incredibly beautiful artworks by combining her natural talent for sketching with digital work in Photoshop. She has created a distinctive style which I love, & one of her new works is pictured above. "Gisele" is a limited edition Giclee print & is availble for US $35 from the MyCharlieGirl Etsy store.
"Red Riding Hood" by Akina (Sydney artist Lang Leav)
Featured Thief 2: Akina
I really admire Lang Leav & her label Akina, and "Red Riding Hood" (pictured above) is one of my favourites from her "Villains". Each of her artworks is accompanied by a familiar tale with a twist...
Misfortune fell on Little Miss Hood
A Big Bad Wolf dressed as her kin
Was allowed to nibble on her skin
So now each time a full moon shines
Blood and carnage are for what she pines
When sweetness turns to all things foul
She’s a little werewolf on the prowl"
The 40 Thieves exhibition opens Thursday evening 6-9pm (19.6.2008).
The show continues until Wednesday 3.7.2008. Gorker Gallery opening hours are: 11am - 7pm Tuesday - Sunday, and the gallery is located at 395 Gore St (corner of Gore St & Kerr St), Fitzroy, 3065. Phone 03 9416 5111.
If you're in Melbourne, make sure to get along!
mücke window
"re-strüctured" is a showing of Melbourne label MüCKE's process-based, sustainable clothing design practice. It has been installed in the window of gorgeous Brunswick boutique, Pussycat Black, and opening drinks are on tonight from 6-8pm (13.6.2008). If you're in Brunswick & see this post in time, get a move on! If not, make sure to drop by the store sometime between now and the 27th June. Make your way to:
Pussycat Black 3 Edward St, Brunswick, 3056. (ph. 03 9387 2129)
I've included a little information below which I found on Betty Jo's LinoForest blog - thanks Liz for bringing the installation to our attention!
"In this exhibition, Ellie Mücke explores the processes intrinsic to her labels roots in sustainable design. Observe the inner detail and intricate construction techniques of MüCKE garments, as the designer openly shows the de and re-construction of her recycled clothing practice. "re-strüctured" is a close encounter with process based clothing design."
yradier giveaway for june!
3D gift cards with 3D glasses by innocentgirl (Andrea Innocent), available from Yradier
This month, we're thrilled to be offering up some fabulous finds from the new Yradier online store! Paloma Cole, who launched Yradier earlier this year, has chosen three very different products from Australian designers for one lucky indie to win. These are:
- an innocentgirl 3D gift card - WITH 3D GLASSES!!
(I'm such a sucker for anything 3D - I still have 3D molecular science posters from World Expo '88!) - a pair of Trove Designs red cup studs
- and a handmade wooden photography brooch by Jen Hall
3D gift cards with 3D glasses by innocentgirl (Andrea Innocent), available from Yradier
Paloma Cole is a photography student at the Queensland College of Art and is surrounded by amazing artists on a daily basis! She launched the Yradier online store with the aim of featuring original artworks by emerging Brisbane artists. She also stocks jewellery, homewares and stationery by small Australian designers, and a small selection of quirky, hard to find goods from overseas... and GUESS WHAT? From now until the end of June, indie art & design readers can save 10% on purchases at Yradier! Simply enter the top secret discount code: indieness on the checkout page. Thank you Paloma!
Red Cup Studs by Trove Designs, available from Yradier
The store itself is slick & sleek! The photos are a treat & you can go straight to Australian products, or to the Brooch section (a Yradier specialty) to find some truly unique items. You'll also find original artworks including some intense acrylic paintings by Luke Kidd, as well as photographic prints by Paloma herself.
Small Rectangular Tokyo Handmade Wooden Photography Brooches by Jen Hall, available from Yradier
I was rather intrigued by the name "Yradier", and Paloma explained that it is actually the name of the composer who wrote the song 'La Paloma' - AND she also likes the way it looks when written! (By the way, it is pronounced 'irre-dear'.)
Large Rectangular Tokyo Handmade Wooden Photography Brooches by Jen Hall, available from Yradier
To enter the draw, all you need to do is suggest an Australian label/artist/designer you'd like to see stocked on Yradier's virtual shelves! Just comment on this post with your suggestion. (A one-word answer is enough, though if you know of a web site for your suggested label, please include it so we can all take a peek!) Entries close on June 30, 2008 and we'll draw a name at random & annouce the winner in the following week. (Oh, and make sure to visit http://yradier.bigcartel.com to check that your suggestion isn't already in the lineup!) I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas...
june creative women's circle
Image from the web site of Melbourne graphic designer Tess McCabe
The Creative Women's Circle is meeting again - this time on Saturday 7th June. The group gets together every two months at Port Melbourne's Mars Gallery, aiming to bring together like minded women in creative industries and small business to share common experiences, inspire, motivate and learn.
The atmosphere is casual & friendly and June's guest speaker will be Melbourne graphic designer Tess McCabe. After five years of working full time & freelancing on the side, Tess recently took the plunge & launched her own graphic design business. She will talk about her experiences making that shift from steady paycheck and regular hours, to lump-sum payments and wearing 'all the hats'! Why not come along & share your stories... Just email Dearne (before Thursday 5th June if possible)!
When: Saturday 7th June, 2008
Time: 11am - 1pm
Place: MARS Gallery Cafe Space, 418 Bay St, Port Melbourne.
RSVP: info@dearneherrenberg.com.au
feature artist: kareena zerefos
"Hello Owl" by Kareena Zerefos.
Kareena Zerefos is an incredibly talented artist & illustrator from Sydney. She has exhibited in a number of group shows this year, and her work has been appearing all over the place! She is responsible for the stunning artwork on the Sparkadia album covers, and many of you would have seen her work featured throughout Yen Magazine's Issue 31. (We also mentioned Kareena's work when we posted about the Grrrls exhibition at aMBUSH Gallery in February.) Kareena's first solo show opens next week, and she has taken a little time out from drawing to answer some of our questions, so read on!
MTV Gallery flyer - an exhibition of illustrative works by Kareena Zerefos.
I 1. Firstly, congratulations on your first solo exhibition! How are you feeling about the show?
KZ Thank you! Very excited and extremely nervous, I’m just not sure what to expect. I kind of feel like a teenager putting on a party, I’m like 'will anyone show up?' and 'how do I get enough drinks?'. More seriously, I'm pretty happy with my new pieces and its going to be great seeing peoples responses to them.
Sparkadia Animals album cover by Kareena Zerefos.
I 2. I'm sure many of our readers would absolutely love to earn a living as an artist/illustrator. What path did you follow to get to this point your career?
KZ I always wanted to be an artist, but never thought I'd be able to make a living from it, so I took design at the College of Fine Arts – I thought being a designer seemed more viable. Then I worked as a graphic designer, and dabbled in web design, while I continued to draw and develop my style on the side. It's only been the last few months that I've been lucky enough to be able to drop the job, with enough freelance and commission work to keep me fed and the bills paid.
"His Name Was Sebastien" by Kareena Zerefos.
I 3. Do you think it's a difficult industry in which to carve your own niche, or do you find that agents/galleries/publications are receptive to new talent & ideas?
KZ It is a difficult industry, but I think if you just go with your own ideas and style and really put it out there, you then find that people are always looking for someone fresh.
"Hot Air Balloon" by Kareena Zerefos.
I 4. You have a drawing style that I personally adore, and it is quite recognisable. Have you always used this approach, or did you develop this style through experimentation over time?
KZ My style has very much evolved, and it still is evolving. I originally worked in a way that was based on graphic design techniques and was often finishing my pieces off digitally... but I then found that I wanted my pieces to stay away from the computer, so I started working with different media – particularly letraset, ink and even tea, as well as my favourite pencils, gouache and felt tips.
"Bumblebee Girl" by Kareena Zerefos for the Jeremyville Sketchel project.
I 5. How did you find exhibiting earlier this year in the Grrrls group exhibition (aMBUSH Gallery, Waterloo)?
KZ It was great to exhibit along side so many fabulous female artists. Our styles, materials and techniques were all so varied, but it came together really well.
"Girl with Mouse" by Kareena Zerefos.
I 6. Have you been to any recent exhibitions that you've just loved?
KZ To be honest, I feel like I haven't left my studio for a long time now. So the last show I went to that I loved was Kids Today at MTV.
"Portrait" and "Little Boy Daydreaming" by Kareena Zerefos.
I 7. From what I've seen, your artworks seem to be based on very personal themes. Your approach seems subtle & emotional. What inspires you to create these works?
KZ I work with themes of isolation and escapism – I guess essentially this is inspired by living in my own little dream world, and that feeling of loneliness and the desire to be somewhere else, that a lot of people relate to. I mostly use images of children and their imaginations to depict this, and look at old photographs, film and children’s books to draw inspiration.
"Across the Board" and "Element Bluebird" by Kareena Zerefos.
I 8. Do you have any favourites, or new works you’re particularly excited about?
KZ I'm excited about quite a few of my new pieces, I've been drawing quite a few pictures of children with their animal friends and have also done a series of bumblebee children, which have a really nice bittersweet feeling about them.
Sparkadia Postcards album cover by Kareena Zerefos.
I 9. Do you like to collaborate with visual artists & other creatives? (I love the new Sparkadia album cover – how did this come about?)
KZ I do! I've recently collaborated with fashion designers, eve and sera from sewn, creating a delicate repeat pattern for their next spring/summer range; as well as sparkadia, with their album, singles and ep artwork; and I just finished up some pieces yesterday working with the mambo goddess designers.
... and thank you! I met Alex years ago at a BBQ and have worked with the band ever since; the Lion illustration came about after Alex and I discussed 'Sparkadia' as being a place or another fantasy world and the lion is the king of the jungle. It is also a reference to the last track on the album, Sleeping Lion, which is one of my favourites.
Kareena Zerefos web site screenshot.
I 10. Do people discover your artworks through your web site (www.kareenazerefos.com) & online "Corner Store", or do you see the site as a resource for people who already know & love your work?
KZ I'd like to think that its for both, I try to keep my site updated with new work and a bit of a news blog so people can come back and see what has been happening.
"They Defeat The Mean Giants" by Kareena Zerefos.
I 11. What are some of your career highlights so far?
KZ This year has been quite exciting in terms of 'highlights' - I quit my job to be an artist full time; I've exhibited work amongst amazing local and international artists at Curvy, Kids Today and Grrrls; and I have just over a week left until my first solo show!
Exhibition of artwork by Kareena Zerefos.
I 12. Where are you headed artistically in the future?
KZ Doing more of what I'm doing now, continuing to develop my style and hopefully have solo shows in other cities later in the year.
I Thank you so much Kareena, and all the best for the exhibition next week - I'm really looking forward to the opening night! For those of you in Sydney, get along to MTV Gallery in East Sydney (4-16 Yurong St) on Tuesday night, 3.6.2008! The opening is from 6pm - 9pm, and there will be an acoustic performance by Alex Burnett from Sparkadia. If you can't make it to the opening, the exhibition continues until 10.6.2008.