Must see show - Hilton Owen

Hilton Owen is now showing as part of a group show at Harrison gallery ( till end of Nov ). I believe it's his first show on the mainland (he's a taswegian).
Anyways check it out . i really think this kid has a lot going on .

Economy on the rise

If Art is any guide . We here in Oz are coming out of our lull!
Galleries ,Framers and even little ol me are busy bunnies at ze moment .
Ok so not everybody is feeling the love ,but key indicators are we is rebounding sister!

Hilton Owen . mega talent!!

Hilton Owen is a 19 year old still at art school in Tassy (n.b refer to previous post ).
One can check out his work online at Handmark gallery in Tasmania . Should this excite you . then you will be able to find him at Harrison gallery in November .
I would group him with the Qld artists Anthony Lister ,Anthony Bennett and Dane Lovett (pre his latest academic endeavours!).
The kid has a mega load of talent . I just hope that he trusts his instinct and doesn't become another who becomes technically brilliant yet devoid of flair.
Many from the academic domain wouldn't be happy that he is even contemplating having exhibitions before he has graduated even worse before he's done his masters .
Yet I would say if your art has an audience it doesn't matter .
Anyways diatribe over just watch for Hilton Owen !!!!

Phillip Wolfhagen

Sellout exhibition in Sydney at Dominic Mersch's Dank St gallery following on from his sellout show with Phillip Bacon earlier this year . The man is da flavour of the moment . Admittedly one has to pull out the art to match but he is the darling of the moment (Del Kathryn must be relieved !)
So popular 70 souls are happy to go on a waiting list at said gallery !!!


footnote - Tasmania really is an interesting breeding ground for artists !

Recession buster - Fred Williams

Fred William's offerings released courtesy of his wife Lyn have netted Rex Irwin $3.8 mill to date .
Nothing like rolling out the big boys to get the big spenders to dip into their pockets . That should shore Rex up for a while .
Show's there's always ,those deemed special offerings , that can sell regardless of the market .

Sellout shows

Strong shows by Artists still continue to sell out up to the $10,000 bracket . Sam Leach 's show sold out- top price about $6 grand for his biggest ( not very big one might add). Upstairs at Sullivan and Strumpf , Alex Seton sold out his marble selection of T- shirts about $11 grand each for the hanging versions .

Hhhmmm curious. Anna Royal . I like !

Came across another newby yesterday Anna Royal she does collages using scrap paper . Saw a couple in the flesh they were fantastic . Look so much like paintings . Incredible collages .
you can check out her stuff online at www.collaginatrix.com .Amazingly detailed

Shows to check out!

Sam Leach at Sullivan and Stumpf is still riding a wave all but 2 of his artworks have sold .The show having just opened . At a price of $6 and half grand max one would say good price point ,yeah they'd sell ! But one must remember they are small bugger's ,the biggest being about 30x 30 cm . They are exsquisite works . Personally I thought his nod to the moon landing anniversary sensational . And I must admit to being amazed by his skills applying such a glass like application of resin . Flawless!
Here's one a little of the radar (but not for long)
Julien Meagher . Doctor Julien if you will!
His upcomoning show at Chalkhorse has captured the imagination 9 out of 11 works have already sold and the show doesn't start for another 9 days !!
The show 'ink on oils' is his take on Asian tattoo's on bodies ! I've had the pleasure of seeing the show and it's a winner . Priced at about $3,500 grand for about a metre square they are a steal for the work the Doc has put in . Indeed Dr Julien is riding high at the momento having just been given a show at Scott Liversy's gallery in Melbourne later in the year .Check out Scott's stable Bromley aside he ain't no fool ![ note- that just may show he's a businessman].

Another bargain -Adam Wheatley

Continuing my love of finding artists I think are doing something interesting and are bloody cheap ie offering a good purchase I would like you to check out Adam Wheatley( his artist bio alone is a great read ). You can find examples of his work online at Wood-Green gallery (Melbourne) . Now i must stress here that I am only talking about his WORKS ON PAPER . One may find some offerings done on surfboards ,that i gather from the price sell well for the dude but umm yeah the works on paper are the go . They show a quirky humour with a bit of commentary on capilalism and society at large.
I like them so much I bought 2.Unframed but for a total of $700 bucks I'm very happy to live with that. When you consider the galleries 40 odd percent cost of materials and time taken this ain't much return for his endeavors . Yet I always applaud the galleries and the artist for taking a punt and allowing people for a greater base of support to develop.
p.s he is a sydney based artist

Lister's mystery show !

Anthony Lister is placing himself upthere with the best self promoter's by having a show this Friday the 17th in Sydney . The catch is the venue is not being disclosed till the 16th itself . Oh lordy be the suspence I might just wet myself .
But seriously ,should be an interesting show really do beleive the lad has something and many a emerging street artist idolises his art . So much so many an artist completes work with a serious nod towards Mr Lister. So if your any way curious log onto his website anthonylister.com

Art World magazine folding !

Yes a couple of sources have mentioned that Art world magazine has folded .
At first I thought the global downturn may have affected them ,lower gallery budgets for advertising etc . But I'm told it's not the case rather Steve Bush's personal situation has resulted in a need to fold the mad .
Shame for all as twas a good magazine

New Art Festival news ! ...introducing 'Art Month'

"Art Month" - it is to be known as, is set for march next year to invlve 50 venues -galleries ,dealers and auction houses .Michael reid and Vasili Kaliman are the programs initial driving forces with advisory board of promintent peoples set in place . Art world will publish a special publication in March to accompany the March issue which will highlight events . Events will be free and gallery participation is free . As previoulsy mentioned the plan is for a Art fair to evolve out of it in a year or too with the bar set high for the participating galleries . For that matter so too will it be the case for Art month
I've seen the list of those to be inolved there are a few notable absentees . I'm sure a few feathers will be ruffled . But hey I like the concept of Art Month . Heaven knows Sydney needs it .

Boutwell Draper on the move ?!

The directors of this esteemed establishment have decided to place the building up for sale reports are that they are looking for something in the vicinity of $3 mill. Should they sell I'm lead to believe the Eastern suburbs perhaps even Queen St would be their preferred position for their new venue ! questions questions questions!!!!!

Hot tip!! Young artiste.... Dan O'toole !

I've mentioned Oh really gallery. Where this young gent can be found but I havn't mentioned him . He being Dan O'toole .A very focused young artist . Has a street art background .
If I'm honest I would like him to expand his subject matter .But he's dedicated and a good practicioner . In his spare time he most often can be found sketching . He is keen to learn and will be around for a while . Part of the brains trust at Oh Really he reminds one of Jasper Knight, the artist and gallery director(Chalkhorse Gallery).He's young but not tempted by the vices that have befallen many .
If you look at the whole package he's an interesting prospect ( I believe the ladies find this true too ). Agreed he's raw but he's generating a following .Enough for me to say he' s one to watch. Why hell you can get a massive piece of him for 2 grand or under .
He hasn't painted that piece yet that I have to have , but the day will come .
Soon I hope .

Whose Selling !!??

James Powditch, Australian galleries is a happy bunny .
So to Anthony Bennett at Richard Martin opens tommorrow . Want one ,get in que .
Richard has had 3 great selling shows in a row Richards ,Watson and now Bennett.
Yes yes perhaps not all 3 artists will end up in itstutions , but Richard Martin Art as a business isn't going down the gurgler any time soon . Something that many other galleries wish they could say
Christopher Horder at Liverpool St ,show ain't even up yet ,yet 15 have sold . Nice work for his first show with the gallery. Very reasonable priced (all under 8 grand for massive pieces)proving again price point is everything.

New Sydney Art Festival

Plans are about for a new Sydney Art Festival to begin early next year . I believe the format is to work over a month and incorporate reputable galleries . Venues will stage their own events .
I'm told that the Festival will have it's own board and the hope is for a Sydney Art fair ( much like Melbournes biannual) to evolve out of it !
Stay tuned !

missing in action

Do you, like me ,drive past an empty Arthouse Gallery and wonder about their seemingly eternal renovations ??
Well apparently the whole building needed new windows (the old wooden ones having rotten).
So it seems the gallery had to move out for a while . Somewhere up the road I'm told . Where exactly I'm not sure ,their website still has the same address listed so that's no help. (mind you it also lists Martine Emdur as one of it's stable ).
Very slow alterations must be quite a frustration for the gallery .

Culture Jam

In my first entry I mentioned Oh Really Gallery in Enmore and their "culture jam" events featuring live painting and live music . Well this Friday they will have a "culture jam" event at the M.C.A. Starting at 8pm the young artists and musicians will be doing their thing .
So no excuses you know where the MCA is . I'm sure it will be an entertaining evening.

AGNSW security upgrade

Seems their ain't gunna be no way some chancer will walk away with another painting from the gallery .
They are spending $2 million upgrading security . New security cameras everywhere and a upgraded key cardsystem part of the features currently being put in place .

Quirky shows

GBK Chris Fox is his name 'Salon Jetpack' the name of the show very quirky and worth a chuckle or too . opening from the 26 th of may .
Alasdair MacIntyre's work at Sullivan and Strumpf fits into this catergory as well very quirky . Nice little social commentary and so laboured over ,the detail is fantastic !
I may add MacIntyre is popular with astute and keen collector's . Making me bold enough to predict he will be big player in the next few years .
Question why is it when it comes to quirky you come up with so names of artists whose work is sculpture !
Honestly if someone asked you to come up with a list of artists whose work is quirky I wouldn't be suprised if you came up with a list containing a high no. of sculpture based work .Yet this medium would be in the minority when compared to others . Often you hear of a much smaller market for sculpure.
Does this in turn mean no one is in the market for quirky .
I think the gallerists at GBK and S and S would disagree!

SSShhh! Emerging artist to watch out for- Floria Tosca

There's a talented young artist by the name of Floria Tosca she's with Flinders St gallery in Sydney .
A trained doctor before going to art school . She's one to watch her last show sold out partly because they all were so well constructed partly because they were priced to sell!
So want to fulfill that itch to buy some art but only have limited funds -
Floria Tosca - here's your warning before she ain't so affordable .
See this proves i'm not greedy and willing to share !

James Powditch's new show

Personally I'm a fan. James Powditch can bring together the familiar the unloved the old the unique and put together an assemblage that not only looks great but has some deeper context behind it . He flawlessly puts things together that make them appeart appear as one,
new !!
Super Power is the name of his new show at Australian galleries .Opening this Thursday May 21 it's a great show . If you can't check it out go to jamespowditch.com and check out his work there .
For mine his re-use of materials and objects makes him a very relevant artist let alone his ability to put a deeper context to his art .
So if you wanna see a good interesting show pop along to Glenmore St Paddington .

Art goss

Apparently Legge gallery and Watters are going to amalgamate . Twas described to me as though Legge was disolving.
Also Tim Storrier has left Tim Olsen before he even got to show with them . By all accounts Storrier is now representing himself . .
Where's Arthouse gallery gone ?? They changed all the windows revamped the interior .The place looks ready to go yet they ain't nowhere to be seen . There is still building work going on in the area ,they may be waiting for that to clear .Or could it be that they became jilted when their star Martine Emdur left the fold ,with little financial incentive to continue ??? We shall wait and see ...
Here's a poser for you which Archibald finalist is looking to dump his Sydney gallery ?

Doing it tough

Make no mistake galleryland ain't no joyride at he moment! Galleries are doing it tough!
I won't be suprised if more galleries close their doors before the year is out .
I have really been suprised in the last week or too at the depth of the gloom .
Personally I'm ticking over quite nicely it's only when I sit back and look at what activity is going on do I realise sh.. they're struggling, really struggling!!!
The funny thing is the small galleries with lower costs and lower priced art may well be in the driving seat to see their way through the storm .
Now don't get me wrong some quality shows are turning over big numbers. In Qld ,William Robinsons show is said to have made sales of 4 million !!
But the fact is the show has to be a corker , and the price point right . Consequently smaller pieces are often the first to go leaving the larger pieces unsold .
So say a prayer for your favorite gallery and hope it's one of the lucky ones .
ciao

Mitjilli Gibson and Samson and Delilah

Here's a bit of trivial facts for you that might add up to something .
Mitjilli Napangandi (spelling may be wrong )[It's taken me 10 years to spell Woollahra correctly] Gibson is having her latest show at Gallery Gondwana in their Dank St gallery .
What you may not also know is that Mitjilli features in the new Warwick Thorntan film ,Samson and Deliliah ,as the geandmother of Delilah.
In fact Mitjilli actually the grandmother of the girl ,Marissa Gibson ,in real life .
Mitjilli's art also feautres in the cannes bound film . .
Given the French's liking for Aboriginal art it poses some interesting questions .
HHHmm join the dots!

Integrity

Some days the Art world can make you feel dirty . Today was one of those days .There are certain people who use art as a ultra commodity . We'll call them art day traders .
Yes they bring sales to galleries in a flat market but quick as look at you that same artwork is back on the market for a quick profit .
Trust me the inner mechanisms are ugly and really no-one concerned is really under any illusion as to the end result. Yet it all still goes down . Capitalism ?! Market forces ?sheesh I dunno but for me it stinks .
Integrity v's A sale !
Anyone wanna buy a used car!?

G'day, here we go ,told ye all I was going to set up a blog and here it is .
For those of you that don't know me, I deliver and install Art around Sydney .So what ? Well maybe !
But my unique position means I get to see whats happening around the place ,great shows ,hot artists ,and the like .
I work with many of the leading galleries, framers,artists and institutions ( I was going to name them ,but upon reading it back it appeared a little naff!!)
On a daily basis i get around ,i see alot of what's happening ,so here's my chance to share here a little of what I see and think .
The first point I would like to tackle is the strain being placed on Galleries ,Artists and framers.
It's real and many are doing it tough .
A real suprise has been to hear of Gallery Gondwana closing it's Sydney gallery to just concentrate on it's Alice Springs"mothership".
It's a real shame, the folk at Gondwana are a really nice crowd .So i would personally like to say thank you especially to Tess and Lorrainne for the work and support they have given me .
Truly Sydney is loosing agreat Gallery here . A gallery that operates with integrity in an area of the market that's often queried .

On a positive note not all is lost in the art market Rex Irwin has done very well with the latest Nicholas Harding oils and drawings.
So too Richard Martin with Gordan Richards show.
2 shows comparitively priced yet eons apart . An intriging comparison into what's still selling .

There is an interesting group show coming up at Chalkhorse gallery Surry hills . Tim Moore's offering's are especiallly of note . Very quirky . Indeed so is he . Get to the opening and meet him and the other's .Chalkhorse's opening's are low key unptrentious affairs .

Finally whilst on low key you've got to check out Oh Really Gallery on Enmore Rd Enmore. Generally street art ,crazy caricatures ,stencils. completed by young artists often with whatever materials they have at hand to paint on . The gallery is manned by volunteers but don't be mistaken they're serious (I'm told there's a serious strike against a volunteers name if they don't turn up on time or turn on the lights )
They have 'culture jamming' nights once a month with live music and live art if your feeling young and uber hip .Well mabe not so uber( they would hate that ) but hip .
.
Oh Really Gallery and Oh really cheap! oops sorry affordable!

tis all