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Posts Tagged ‘urban art’

Well it seems the last time I updated here was early January…not sure where Feb, March and April went?! Where does the time go?

Oh well…so what is new…

I have moved out of the Factory 21 studios into a new bigger studio…G-Cubed Studio.

oldnewstudio2015

 

So the move took some time over Jan, but we got there and the new space is now decked out and looking sweet. (Big props to Boom Gallery for fitting it out for us.)

The Powerhouse kicked off in Geelong at KNS, the old power station in North Geelong. I did a few pieces out there including a street based version of the Ritz as a straight up stencil.(Amazing piece by Adnate in the background!)

 

I took part in Summer Projects 2 at Boom Gallery pushing out some new graphic prints of urban scenes. I also got to show a colab I did with JoanneKemerer…being the tagged up head that she sculpted titled. ‘defaced’.

10841854_319041318305737_6403778465329185280_oMy Ritz install at the Geelong Gallery finally came down after its extension. This was to mixed views…it seems people are going to miss it and wanted to see it it stay. But keeping in true form with street art, it was always going to be ephemeral. What goes up must come down. Thanks Geelong Gallery for having me.

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Now we are well into the year, I just took part in Geelong After Dark last week doing a projection from Oxide Gallery in McLarty Place. It was a quick project…but it went off seamlessly once set up, which is always good. Thanks to Sue for the opportunity to base myself in her gallery, and Lou for adding me to the website at short notice. Note to self…must do paperwork!

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Recently, I had my artwork featured on a wine label by Livewire Wines.(Image pinched from their insta…Thx Livewire Wines!). Haven’t got my hands on one yet, but i have had their wines before and they are very good…and this one is largely organic with just a small amount of sulphur for bottling. So one not to be missed. I think Union Street Wine bar are stocking it locally to Gtown, or contact Anthony at Livewire directly to get your hands on it.

DV8 wine stolen FB

On top of this I have some work in the next Boom Gallery exhibition…a stable group show(two solo shows opening the same night too!), opening Friday 15/5 at 5:30…so come along if your free. I have something new and a bit different for me on show around the theme of water…and a big work too.

I currently also have a few murals on the go in the background which could get the go ahead at any stage…but I will talk more once they are in real motion. So stay tuned.

I have another little solo exhibition ‘Zone 1’ coming up in the Little Window of Opportunity at Port Jackson Press in the second fortnight in June(Starts on the 16th). After the last show basically sold out…yay! I got the call back. So fingers crossed it goes well again. It is an inner Melbourne focus for the work this time, with areas that I have been very familiar with over the years or lived in.

Flyer below:

PJP DL flyer mockup 2015And in final news…only public last week. I have been selected as one of 15 emerging artists from around the country to take part in a series of exhibition for the first Australian Print Triennial in Mildura set for October this year. This was a real honour if you go over and have a look at the line-up.

So it looks like it is going to be a busy year ahead as well…while still working 5 days a week!

So lets see what develops next.

Thanks for the ongoing support,

NF

 

 

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Yet again it has been a while between posts on here. But following up on my exhibition ‘Territory’, the exhibition was really well received. We got close to a few hundred people over the opening night and all feedback was really positive. The works were a little slow to sell…hopefully reflective of the current art buying climate…but by the end of the show we had sold 14 paintings so I am happy about that. On the upside the work has been granted some legs and will be getting a bit of a showing up in Melbourne at Port Jackson Press in their Little Window of Opportunity. Further Info here: Street Level (On show from the 4th Dec – 24hr viewing)

In other big news, I have also gone public with the news that I have been invited to do a large format street art inspired installation in the foyer of the Geelong Gallery. Titled #RitzHeritageOverlay, the installation will consist of a 4x15m paste-up of the infamous Geelong Ritz Flats. The install days are going to be 26 – 30 November, with the official opening on the 5th December. Drop by if your are in the area and say hi or have a look. Further info: #RitzHeritageOverlay

And last but not least my gallery Boom has their Christmas show coming up, opening on the 28 Nov 5:30-8pm. Should be a good party vibe with a around forty artists on the walls.

Boom Xmas show 2014

So it is exciting times with three shows coming up, however having the three open within seven days of each other is a little stressful!

So keep your fingers crossed for me that I stay on top of it all, and I hope to see ome of you at the upcoming events.

Until next time!

G

ps – Oh, and I started a little Instagram too. So if that is your kind of thing…find me by searching nofrillsart on instagram and click follow. Enjoy!

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Well it has been a little while since I have updated here. I have been consumed by working my day job and now a new second job writing the course content and getting it certified for a training organisation. On top of this I am working towards a large solo exhibition ‘Territory’ coming up in August at Boom Gallery in Geelong where I have made about 80 works over the last 12 months with about 60 odd to go on show. All are welcome, so come along and have a look on opening night, say hi and enjoy the art.

The opening night is on Friday the 8th August and there are a couple of concurrent exhibitions opening the same night in the gallery for Casper Raglus and Dave Bowers.

See the flyer below for further info…

territory flyer 2014

Hmm…So what else is new…

This weekend just gone I spent up in Ballarat as I had the Altered State assemblage book that I put together a year or so back on display as a part of ‘Page.Print.Post: 50 Years of Artists Books’. The exhibition looked amazing with over 500 books by artists covering printmaking, assemblage, political books and zines. So there is something for pretty much anyone interested in artists books. The highlights for me were seeing a box of work by David Dellafiora (Field Study international) who also opened the exhibition, Seeing a beautiful book made by Chuck Close as well as Sunset Strip by Ed Rushca. But there was too much great stuff to mention…so I suggest you get up to Ballarat and see the show at Post Office Gallery (Open wed – Sat 10 -4pm).

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Above: Altered State Artists Assemblage Book

Below: Post Office Gallery Overview

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Below: Artists Book by Chuck Close

Bottom: Exhibition Flyer

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ballarat book show 2014

On a different front I completed the ID:5G mural Project for the City of Greater Geelong. I painted Chrissie Amphlett as a tribute about a year to the day after her passing. I got some awesome feedback, the image went a little viral online getting nearly 2000 likes and the work even landed me on the front covers of both the Geelong Advertiser and the Geelong News. The stencil was a massive 3x3m six layer effort.

no frills art

Above: Close Up of Chrissie

Below: Mural Overview – Denny’s Lane Geelong (Next to Beav’s Bar)

Bottom: Addy Front cover

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Addy picture

Apart from this I have been spending a bit of time developing my audience on a new platform with my new Facebook page. Click on the link and come across and show me some FB love if you feel like it! ( facebook.com/nofrillsart )

Oh and I just realized that I didn’t post any of the Ctrl+V pics on her as yet so here are a couple from the project. The first picture is me putting up my image of the shell refinery, and below is a shot of the other works by the ten artists I was coordinating(Oops…one artwork is missing in this picture still), and their works in situ on the hoardings around the new Geelong Library and Heritage centre site.

ctrlv my paster

ctrlv overview

Secret Project…Shhh! I also have a big project in the wings as we speak, but I am currently not in the position to announce it, but stay tuned for big news around Sept this year for the announcement and Nov for work to begin. Seeing as I can’t tell you too much more about this yet, here is a sneak peak at one of my latest artworks for my upcoming solo exhibition. Rumour has it since I have created this artwork these shops have been knocked down…or earmarked to get demolished which is sad and poignant.

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So I guess you can see that I have been pretty flat chat which is why the updates have been a little on the quiet side. I think I have enough work on the go at the moment that the next break will most likely not be till Christmas…where I am looking forward to sitting around relaxing and not have to do anything.

Hope life is treating you all well!

NF

 

 

 

 

 

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Recently, I worked on a large street art inspired mural with artist Glenn Fry at One World Child Care Centre. Having been friends for a long time, G2 and I had not yet collaborated on any projects of this nature and it was a fun opportunity to be able to do this together. A big thanks also must go out to our assistants Tom Armstrong, Darren Wescombe and Patricia Wade who made the day go super smoothly. Also a big props to Kitty the owner of One World for her foresight to commission a mural for the kids that is a lot more edgy than what you would normally expect to see in an environment such as this. It was a fun day and I think all parties were happy with the results and the starting point for the wall. Hopefully it inspires the kids making art on the streets of the next generation!!!

Below is a panorama shot of the entire mural along with a few shot of my components in the mural.

one world street art mural

Above: Panorama Overview shot

Below: Kids artworks that I made into a large stencils

kids art

Below: Laneway Paste up for a little authenticity

laneway

Bird Stencils

bird stencil

And my dalmatian stencil…

dog stencil

 

This artwork is forming the base for the wall and will be added to by both the kids and Glenn Fry as he will be doing an artists’ residency at the venue. It has since had a wash over the wallpaper section and Darren has done some airbrushing in one section…I look forward to see how it evolves over time!

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I recently went and saw the amazing Herakut exhibition in Melbourne. Previously, I had only seen the work by the German duo online and was very excited to see their work in the flesh…and i wasn’t disappointed. The work was amazing with a blend of beautiful people and animal mask/spirits. They beautifully blend the urban art aesthetic with hyper-realism. Definitely two artists(Hera & Akut) well worth looking up if you haven’t come across them.

Below are a few shots from the Metro exhibition…

herakut painting

possum

And below is also one of their street works in Union Lane in the Melbourne CBD, that they left as a small gift for the Melbourne punters as a part of their ‘Giant Storybook Project’. It looks awesome in the flesh!

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As well as a few shots of their studio while they were in old Melbourne town for the Metro Show.

herakut studio

herakut

Also while i’m doing a little blog update, below are a few of my new works on found objects…

no frills art

Preoccupied – 15x15cms – Mixed Media on Found object

skeleton scissors

Skeleton Scissors – 22×45 cms – Mixed Media on found object

the end is near

The End is Near (Refuse Edition) – 10×15 cms – Mixed Media on found object

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As well as a little stencil that I have just done using a new technique i’m working with at the moment.

I’m slowly starting to settle into the new studio!

bird stencil

Until next time…Go check out Herakut and take it easy.

enjoy!

NF

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Well it has been a few days since opening night of ‘Only dead fish go with the flow‘. However I think I have needed a little time to recover…and regain energy before I got around to posting about the opening. The lead up to the exhibition went without hitch. Hanging the show went smoothly(Thanks Ren!), and we also got a little article in the local paper a few days before opening night which was great. Overall, everything seemed to travel nicely.

Opening night itself was amazing with over a hundred and fifty through the doors, although hectic with non stop conversations everyone seemed to have a fun night and the feedback on the show was all very positive. We managed to sell fourteen artworks which was great for both the gallery and myself. To my amusement we also managed to drink the galleries entire wine supply, which I hear was a first for them!

So thanks to everyone who came along for the opening and to those who have popped in to have a look at the show since it opened. And if you haven’t been through yet, the exhibition runs till Sat 1st Dec.(Further details on my previous post or at the Boom Gallery Website).

I have also got an interview about the exhibition and my practice in general over at: Artin’ Geelong. (Thanks Deirdre!) It’s a great read for anyone who wants to know a bit more about my work.

Below are a few shots of the works on show just prior to the opening. I didn’t get any crowd shot due to not having any free time at all once it started, but I’m sure others will have some. So I will have to chase them up at a later date.

This is not all the work in the exhibition, as there is about fifty works on show. But it should give an overall impression of how the show looks and feels. I think the work goes really well at Boom Gallery as they have a cool industrial aesthetic throughout which seems to compliment my style.

Cheers,

NF

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Hi there everyone,

Just a shout out for my upcoming solo exhibition in November at Boom Gallery in Geelong. The show is titled ‘Only dead fish go with the flow’, and will be a massive exhibition with about 50 works…my biggest show to date. So if your around on the 9th of November between 4:30 – 8 pm pop into the gallery for the opening…All are Welcome!

Alternatively, the show runs from 7th Nov – 1st Dec and is open Wed to Sat 9:30 – 4 pm.

I would love for you all to drop by and say hello at the opening or pop in while it’s on to enjoy the artworks(They also do a good coffee inhouse!).

Hope life is treating you well.

Enjoy!

Glen aka No Frills

Front of Exhibition Flyer

Exhibition Poster

Extract from the Press Release:

‘Only dead fish go with the flow’ is a new exhibition of paintings by Geelong based contemporary artist Glen Smith. Filling the entire space at Newtown’s Boom Gallery, this extensive solo exhibition investigates a range of issues as diverse as matters of the heart through to political and social commentaries. Heavily influenced by street art and its aesthetic, Smith’s paintings are urban and gritty street level snapshots of contemporary society. Through stencils, paste-ups as well as traditional painting techniques the artworks in the show are designed to make the viewer reconsider the state of the world and present new ways to look at issues in life. This is Smith’s first solo exhibition in over five years and has been a massive undertaking with over fifty artworks on show. Definitely one local art exhibition not to be missed this year…so be sure to mark it on your calendar.

Boom Gallery is Geelong’s newest Contemporary Artspace. 

It can be found at Boom Gallery: 11 Rutland St Newtown, Geelong.

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Here is a little shot(using my new toy…Fisheye lens!) of my work in situ at Boom Gallery as part of the Forest-s Exhibition put together by Tibor Novak. The opening was a full house…which was a surprise for a saturday arvo opening…but always a good thing! The show is on for a few weeks so if your in Newtown, pop in and have a browse as it is a pretty expansive show with a variety of artists and styles.

And below is a close up of my artwork in the show…

Fractals, Mixed Media on Canvas. 2012

And finally…a sneak peak at another one of the artworks for my exhibition in November at Boom Gallery…Enjoy! NF

 Joey’s Song(Work in Progress), Mixed Media on Canvas, 2012.

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For part of earth hour last week a bunch of us got together with the Geelong Arts Alliance to work on the ‘Earth Hour Landing Strip’. Basically the strip was a candle powered faux landing strip using discarded cans with corporate images punctured into them and a tea light inside them. About sixty or seventy lanterns were made by those involved.


Top(l-r): Row of cans, Illuminati Mickey(No Frills)

Bottom(l-r): Grenade(Field Study), and

overview of the landing strip with trolley on the runway.

And below are a couple of new works for my show in November…Enjoy!

and one more…

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Well the new year is well and truly upon us. It has now been about six weeks since i fractured the arm, and although not quite right(rotation hurts and there is no strength as yet)…It is feeling heaps better. The ‘Altered State’ book that i am putting together is starting to take shape with about two thirds of the artists getting their work in. But it has been a challenge at times to nail down artists and get their contributions. But i’m sure the end product will outweigh these small issues. On the low down…It looks like i might be doing my first solo gallery show since 2004. It has been a while between drinks…but i will give further details as they get set in concrete.

I think that is about all the news to make public at the moment, so I hope everyone had a good new years and stay tuned as i start to slowly get back into it.

Below are a few recent works. Until next time…Enjoy! NF

Pressure – Mixed Media on Canvas, 2010

Don’t feed the Humans – Mixed Media on Canvas, 2011

Free Hugs – Mixed Media on Canvas, 2011

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Somehow on Sunday I managed to get involved in a live drawing session at ACMI for the closing party for the Hola Mexico Film Festival. Arranged by Michael Fikaris, there were a bunch of cool artists and we basically decorated skulls for the film goers to help celebrate the Day of the dead. There was good people…free Mexican beer, food and live music…so how could you not have a good time!

Below is one of my Skulls!

And speaking of the dead…i managed to find myself in the middle of the Melbourne Zombie Shuffle during the daytime which is always a fun time!

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If your in Sydney between 4 Nov – 11 Dec, get on over to Paste Modernism 3 an amazing installation of paste ups by urban artists over at Cockatoo Island in the harbour. There is going to be a massive collage combining the work of over two hundred and sixty street artist’s from both Australia and overseas coordinated by Ben Frost. By the way there is also a bunch of other urban art exhibitions going on within the whole island as part of the Outpost project. One not to be missed!

Above is a picture of the paste ups starting to be set up for the exhibition, including one of my ‘Think Tank’ stencil produced paste ups (On the brown paper). I pinched one of the photos (I hope Ben doesn’t mind…all in the spirit of plugging the event!), from the Stupidkrap flickr or you can find out further info on the Paste Modernism site. Also i think after the event they will probably be selling cut down sections from the pasted collage to raise money for charity, last year it helped raise money for those impacted on by the floods in Queensland. So be sure to keep an eye on the Stupidkrap website if you like the work of any of the artists listed below…and what is not to like, there are some amazing names below!

ARTISTS IN PASTEMODERNISM 3


Over 260 artists including:
Ben Eine, Pure Evil, Copyright, Dan Baldwin, Jeremyville, Nathan James, Ben Frost, Anthony Lister, Psalm, Mega, Heesco, Drab, Vexta, Esjay, Bei Badgirl, STABS, Jumbo, Zap, Kid Zoom, Chris Cunningham, Mats?!, James Dodd, Shannon Crees, Smc[3], HA HA, Benois, Urban Cake Lady, Ken Taylor, Bridge Stehli, Rone, Numskull, Yok, Miss KK, Cloud Commission, 1337, Makatron, Wolves & Owls, Birdhat, Max Berry, Golden Silver, Asio, Skallywag, Rosie Apps, Ape Seven, 7U?, Dr.X, Vars One, Megalo,  AM, Dstruct, Flutter Lyon, The Mong, Hazzy Bee, Akisiew, Baby Geurilla, Jess Higgins, Mr. Sweet, Ghstie, Olive 47, Trystan Bates,  Boots, Donovan Christie, Tad, No Frills Art, Abyss .607,  Th@anks, Mister Edwards, Fukt, JHamilton, Donnie Danger, PigeonBoy, Crisis, Mr Skel, Braddock, Skel, Teem, Jason Mamarella, Emya, Bennett, Damion Silver, Mr. Sweet, Wounded Children, John Forno, Bjorn Vanderborght, Mod77, Barek, Benjamin Reeve, Lostrack, Brett Chan, Asha Rowe, Emily hasselhoof, Clag Bandits, YMT, Kirbee Lawler, Thomas Thorby-Lister, th-INK, Resan, The Dirt, KonsumTerra, Vinzenz Reinecke, Lukasz Karluk, Swerfk, Andros, Houl, Rebecca Murphy, Tez, Scott Franks, IniqueInique, Qwux, S-701a,  Felix, Fintan Magee, Doni Paul, OKO,  Tomahawk, West, Lady Bna-Nas,  Kirst Ohh, Ms. Brown, Bunkwaa, Sam Evans, Bathcat, Lauren Vassallo, SeaweiD, Graham Wilson, Stylo, Tim Andrew, Aisha, Fletch, Blomtrog, Ox, Kaff-eine, Mis Adda, Nathalia Azuero, Joel Lambeth, Donovan Christie, Flx, Ankles, Xcopy, Ruffo, Keeey Pace, Sancho, Mike Francis, Mica Still, Simon Lovelace, Chris Petro, Phi, Toggles,  Ali3n,  Sebastion Toast, Dboe, Jessica Lahoud, Shida, Bijoux, Lazarus 0.1, Saffaa, Hamishi, Phoenix, Zen, Baako, Neil Collyer, Terrible Horrible, RJ, Nick Simpson, Klara, Murfy James, Mimi, I & The Others, E.G.H.A.D, David Whirlpool, Rod Bunter, Bhats, Claire Kurzmann, Michele Guidarini, Dean Sunshine, Codel, Mk Chilby, Alison Alder, Crux Godsend,  Ishi, Jyiro, Seth Tarrant, Keiron McMaster, Oliver Heath, Jodee Knowles, Mama Gunns, Naomi Lou Lou, Brad Robson, Mr French, Fezwitch, Ben Foster, Jeremy Austin, Eamonn Doran, Tdub, Zoe Weber, Nina Gibbes, Ghostess, Ruskidd, Tom Lukacs, Urban Monk, Jason Ditch, Dilute, CDH, Kara Nikkel, Newcastle Productions, Umpel, Phaux, Cooper Lawler, Facter, The Havoc Plan, Awol Monk, Jacquie Manning, areaRED, edgarR, Diamondxdaggers, Sevens, Anto Christ, Badger, Timbo400, Nick Boerma, Isabella Smith, Kieran Mangan, Godot, Timlikestodraw, Kon, Scott Blume, Kimberley, Adriana Abi-Rizk, Creon, Ian Phenna, Bats!, Recluse, Obscene, Bec Todd, Twitch, Meny Miny Mo, JB Rock, Nicole Tattersall, Pterodactylman, Tom Buchanan, Carley Ternes, Charlie Brookes, Andrew Ward , Rost, Dzia, Maaden, Boo, Anatta, Taxi66, Joe Vegas, Art Star, Albert Wolski, Marygribouille, Her0, Ham, Black Hole, Todd Manion

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Well last night was the launch of Boom Gallery in Newtown. The night was a huge success with over four hundred punters through the door. There was a bunch of cool art on offer, and lots of people I hadn’t seen in the longest time…which was really cool. And I managed to sell three paintings for the night. So a big success from my perspective, and a great new adition to the arts scene in Gtown.

If your in the area, drop in wed – fri or sat 10 – 4pm to have a look at the art, and enjoy a high end coffee from the gallery’s own coffee bar. (How cool is that!)  Boom Gallery – 11Rutland St, Newtown, Geelong.

Above: The picture above shows four of my paintings near their coffee bar.

Below: Two of my terrorist pictures framed up in gallery format.

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I have a bunch of archival digital pigment prints for sale in a group show titled  Fit to Print, coming up on Thurs 9th Dec. (Opening Night) through to the 23rd Dec. at No Vacancy Gallery in Melb(QV building). There should be five of my prints on display including my ‘Horseplay – print’ which is on sale for the first time…In an edition of 25.

So if your keen get along to the show and have a look or buy some art… there will also be a bunch of other really cool artists on show including Beastman, Braddock, Ghostpatrol, Miso and Twoone to name just a few. So don’t miss it! 

 

Horseplay – 40 x 55 cm – Archival Pigment Print on 300gsm Rives Paper – Edition of 25


For every print sold over $20 the gallery will donate $2 to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

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