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    Wall to Wall Street Art Festival in Melbourne, Australia

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    Melbourne’s vibrant street art scene takes the next step in its creative evolution with the unveiling of the city’s first official street art precinct, set to transform a long-forgotten industrial pocket of Mordialloc into a hub of creativity and expression. Returning for the first time since the pandemic, Australia’s original street art festival, WalltoWall and Kingston Council are bringing seven of Australia’s top street artists and three acclaimed international artists together to adorn the area with a stunning array of large-scale mural works from 26-28 April. Melbourne has long been revered as an international street art capital, and this groundbreaking project breathing new life into Mordialloc’s industrial laneways, ushers in a new era of artistic innovation and cultural revival for the city. Renowned artists such as Smug, Adnate, Celeste Mountjoy (creator of Filthy Ratbag), George Rose, and French artist Zoer, among others, will lend their talents to the project, infusing the precinct with their unique styles and perspectives. In addition to the tapestry of colourful and eclectic murals, the streets of Mordialloc will come alive on Saturday 27 April with a block party presented by Wall to Wall and Mordialloc’s newest culinary precinct, Urban Ground. The party will feature DJs including Byron Bay’s April Kerry, owner of Fitzroy record store Natural Selection, Charles Eddy, Berlin DJ and artist Blo, and Melbourne artist and DJ, Adnate. Food trucks, market stalls, workshops, tastings, open studios and hourly tours and tastings of contemporary spirits courtesy of renowned local distillery Saint Felix will ensure it’s a party not to miss. The project, curated by Shaun Hossack of Melbourne street art collective Juddy Roller (Silo Art Trail, Wall to Wall, Collingwood Housing Project) in collaboration with Kingston Arts and Mordi Village Trader, will see the transformation of Lamana Road and surrounding laneways into the vibrant Mordi Village Arts and Cultural Precinct. The initiative aims to celebrate and showcase the transformative power of street art while revitalising neglected urban spaces. Hossack said of the event: “Melbourne is known as a mecca for street art but still lacks well curated areas where major artworks can be viewed one after another, like an outdoor gallery. The scale of Wall to Wall is unprecedented in Melbourne’s beachside suburbs and will help cement Mordi Village Arts and Cultural Precinct as a beacon of creativity and community engagement.” “Street art was born in the heart of cities, but with the evolution of Juddy Roller’s Silo Art Trail and Wall to Wall – which originated in Benalla and this year is a multistate offering having just taken place in Murray Bridge – we can expand the artform across Australia” he said. Kingston Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns also expressed her excitement for the project, emphasising the growing importance of street art as a form of public expression and cultural enrichment: “Street art has emerged as one the leading forms of expression without bounds, out there on the walls instead of stuck inside four walls” she said.Take a look below for more photos of the festival and stay in the loop with us for more street art news around the globe. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); More

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      James Reka – Floriana

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      James Reka’s latest show, Floriana, opens at Backwoods Gallery, Melbourne this week. The Australian artist returns to his hometown for the first time in six years for this body of work, completed partly at his studio in Malta, and in residence at the gallery.As part of the original Everfresh Crew, Reka initially made his mark in the laneways and train lines of Melbourne’s inner-suburbs where he spent over a decade developing his surrealist style. Working across bold colour palettes that are defined by their themes in each body of work, Reka’s nods to classical cubism are enhanced with technical layers and details that disclose the history of his urban canvases as much as they tell the stories of his characters.Reka’s work is both fastidious and expressive in its outcome, a duality his content contains too, sitting somewhere between the familiar and warm, and distantly observational in depth. The paradox extends further in tensions between graphic design and graffiti, and pop-simplicity and abstract geometry.Twisting together a mix of hedonism, still life in his neo-classic fine art, Reka’s studies are an examination of the human psyche, our habits, habitat, gaze, and lifestyles.‘A junction of humanity and natural forces, “Floriana” represents the intersection of my life with the innate forces of the Mediterranean – people and nature. A metaphor of my artistic journey and stylistic evolution, inspired by ancient customs and the barren natural elements of the region.’‘Using canvas and ceramic media, I have sought to reflect the inspiration of living on the ancient Mediterranean Sea – the cradle of civilisation – itself a symbol of energy, creativity and of the search for the meaning of life, for wisdom and the love of family.’‘This exhibition documents my personal journey of the last 3 years, relocating to the Maltese Islands. “Floriana” – Latin for blossoming and prosperous – is the region of Malta where I paint, inspired by core Mediterranean values, of groups congregating outdoors in piazza celebrating life, of family focused around seafood, bowls of marinated olives, wine & the ritual of basking next to the azure blue Mediterranean Sea. I have explored sun-drenched barren landscapes – massive limestone rocks, olive trees and prickly pear. The dominant theme is the saturation of colour from the omnipresent blue sky, the terracotta of the soil and the muted greens of succulents & cacti.’‘I have deliberately held a stronger focus on the abstraction of subject-matter, inspired by the geometric blocks and limestone megaliths of the Mediterranean with horizontal and vertical lines intersecting through the pieces – while the figurative content is inspired by the Venus-like statues of Fertility Goddesses, discovered in the ancient temples of Malta. The execution of my work in acrylic and spray paint, using canvas and ceramic urns, is designed to embrace the matte textures of the ancient, weathered limestone and granite of the region and the muted palette of the soil, rather than a bright and verdant backdrop.’– James RekaOpening Night : Friday April 19th 6~9 PMExhibition runs 19.04.24 ~ 05.05.24Backwoods Gallery, 25 Easey Street, Collingwood, VIC, Australiawww.backwoods.gallery/2024-james-rekawww.instagram.com/rekaone (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); More

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      Luke Cornish – Dissimulation

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      Sydney-based artist Luke Cornish, aka ELK, showcases his latest body of work, ‘Dissimulation’, at Melbourne’s Oshi Gallery. A collection of over 150 hand-sprayed stencils incorporating international currency into the paper, this is an examination of freedom, power, and a world forever changed by the fallout from Covid. More

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      BACKW12DS – 12 Year Anniversary Group Exhibition

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      Melbourne’s premier urban contemporary art gallery Backwoods welcomes you to celebrate the end of their 12th year in Collingwood, with a group exhibition featuring over 40 Australian and International artists, across multiple mediums of painting, drawing and sculpture.DAVID ‘MEGGS’ HOOKE
      Over the past 12 years, Backwoods has fostered bold and recognisable voices in contemporary graphic art.BACKW12DS presents artists from the gallery’s formation, present and future.AL STARKFeaturing: Taj Alexander, Charlotte Alldis, Simon Beuve, Robert Bowers, Evie Cahir, Morgana Celeste, Gabriel Cole, Dave Court, David Cragg, Noni Cragg, James Dodd, Rachael Edwards, Broken Fingaz, Matthew Fortrose, Lotte Frances, Helen Gory, Ellie Hannon, Ileigh Hellier, Georgia Hill, Jesse Hogan, David ‘Meggs’ Hooke, Kyle Hughes-Odgers, Jill Kempson, Adam Kinninmont, Tommy Lhomme, Leili, Fintan Magee, Jasmine Mansbridge, Brendan  Monroe, Daniel O’Toole, Mic Porter, Resio, Josh Robbins, Elliott Routledge, Liam Seear-Budd, STABS, Al Stark, Jacqui Stockdale, Masatomo Toi, Ben Totty, Hiroyasu Tsuri & Jason Woodside.KYLE HUGHES-ODGERSThe exhibition runs from November 25 – December 18ELLIOT ROUTLEDGE25 Easey Street, Collingwood, VIC, AUSTRALIAJAMES DODD More

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      Forbidden Fruit – James Reka

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      Reka’s latest body of work peels back the layers of what it is to be human, questioning the viewer’s moral fibre and substance, teasing at notions of desire and sexuality. The Malta-based, Australian artist penned the following statement as a written exploration to accompany his finest work to-date, digging deep to ask himself, and more broadly, humanity, if they too would honestly not have been tempted by the Forbidden Fruit in the garden of Eden…‘The fruit that was forbidden in the Garden of Eden. The apple on the tree of knowledge, of good and evil. Used as a metaphor, for indulgence or pleasure, that is considered illegal or immoral. The human condition is one bound by an almost limitless scale of opportunity and stimuli. We live in a world of relentless temptation, where the primary drivers of life; hunger, safety and passion, are intertwined in a morally defined structure of our everyday existence – we are constantly responding to these urges and drives, as our actions create an eternal juxtaposition, between satisfying the primal needs of life, enjoying the fruits of our existence and the balance of morality.’‘This exhibition, represents a broadening of my aesthetic, reaffirming the dichotomy between morality and sin. In this language, my work provides an account of the reaction that has long governed discussion on tasting the Forbidden Fruit.  Consideration of our mortality plunges us into the rediscovery of self and paradoxically, into facing challenges of self, sometimes threatening, in the presence of sincere and pure truths. Uncontrollable urges abound where all is only sin and temptation. These primal forces bring forth all the complexity of human relations, where sex and seduction, attraction and desire, degradation, and self-destruction, all symbolise tasting the “Forbidden fruit”.’‘This exhibition explores the theme of desire and the underlining flawed nature of mankind, the realisation that we are not perfect nor exempt from falling for temptation. One of the humanistic, defining elements of Homo Sapiens, at least in our societal lives, is the balance between desire and morality. Many of us, understand that we always want, what we can’t have. I have sought here to relate the Primal urges that lead us to instinctively explore oneself and one’s surroundings, the eternal catalyst of discovery and pleasure that leads us into temptation.’‘Thus, I have drawn from the metaphorical ‘Forbidden Fruit’ references that abound in scriptures and texts, from the book of Genesis. It is the fruit that was forbidden to Adam and Eve, the battle between good and evil that overcame the Garden of Eden, the same battle that subsumes our modern lives.’‘My exhibition and the evolution of the forms within, invites the viewer to challenge themselves and ask – “Would I really not have tasted the forbidden fruit?”.’‘Too easily, one can assure oneself that you would resist temptation if challenged ! However, how many times a day do you jeopardise your own “salvation”?  After all, the breadth of “sins” we commit daily threatens the pathway to our potential paradise and we risk the fate of banishment that was wrought upon Adam & Eve.’‘The representation of the Apple is a critical symbol, a metaphorical device that alludes to sinful or forbidden pleasure.Core to this body of work, is my new life in Malta, where I have been inspired by the ancient Neolithic Maltese history and culture, tracing back to pre 5000BC. My exploration of the ancient temples scattered across the islands has been a noticeable influence of my work for this exhibition. Symbology, the sacred geometry of the megalithic structures and the natural colours and soft light of the Mediterranean, have been referenced in the series of canvases.’‘My representations of the figures in the larger canvases have also been inspired by the large-bodied female “mother-figure” statues, that once were residents of the ancient temples of this historical landscape. Simultaneously I have chosen to explore new textures, mimicking the limestone grain within which these megalithic structures are created.Departing from the norms of figurative painting, this exhibition depicts a series of Still Life canvas-works, focusing on the contrast of sliced fruit and sexual organs, overlaid with abstract elements of the human form. This is an abstracted composition of organic life, inviting the viewer to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Mankind & Nature.’‘In addition, to accompany this series I have been working on large-scale landscape sceneries, depicting an abstract view of a “Garden of Eden” – with reclining nudes portrayed in frivolous acts. These also incorporate symbols of nature and in this Eden setting I have used a richer colour palate, referencing the fruits and colours of the Mediterranean.I am also excited to include in this exhibition, a small series of sculptures, that generate a balance between the scale of the humanistic large canvas works and the more accessible. This is an exhibition for all the senses!’‘Experience the temptation of ‘Forbidden Fruit’ at Backwoods Gallery from Friday September 17th to 3rd October 2021, in my hometown Melbourne.’ – James Reka, 2021FORBIDDEN FRUIT by JAMES REKA is online now at Backwoods Gallery More

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      SOS – Dscreet

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      SOS is a new body of work from Australian artist, Dscreet. The well-toured owl lover previously painted extensively in London, as part of the infamous Burning candy Crew, a collective that included artists such as Cept, Pegs, Sweet Toof, Cyclops, Tek33, and occasionally SickBoy. Now repatriated in his home country and forced to spend hours alone during Melbourne’s draconian lockdown, drunkenly trawling Tinder, Dscreet finally put down his phone and picked up a paintbrush, putting the many bottles of booze he’d drained to better use. This is the result.
      SOS – Dscreet‘I spent a lot of time in isolation walking around alone, first depressed, then I found a way tolook at things differently.’‘The world was upside down so it was time to discover new places to keep my mindoccupied. To find new uses for the detritus in my brain and on the streets. This city becamea strange jail with one hour of outdoor time to breathe, no painting and no surfing allowed,few outlets for anyone like me who funnels freedom into my art. I felt like we were allsharing a special kind of crazy. At first I began to go a little insane, listening to the media,trying to make sense of it all, trying to deny my relative misery, but there were a lot ofconflicting stories coming out, no-one really knew what was going on. I meditated, didyoga, breathwork, exercise and then drank a lot of alcohol. I felt the same conflicting storyin myself, trying to stay healthy and positive then destroying the good work with the polaropposite force. Somehow a balance evolved, staring into the empty bottles, I decided toput them to good use and decorate them with the profound lyrics of those who have beendrunk and isolated before me, after all, many of us creative types spend even the mostnormal times in isolation, sometimes confused and conflicted. Sometimes there’s thosemoments of clarity at the end of a cycle.’‘In memoriam to my personal journey, through the schizophrenic stasis of the world, eachof these painted bottles represents a piece of my creative therapy and struggle throughlockdown. The other pieces represent found objects and prose I’ve salvaged from personalhikes through the streets and wilderness and songlists. The surfboard is a monument tothose opposing forces that keep clashing in the media and in our minds, ready to flowbackwards or forwards, I reached an acceptance that nothing can be taken for grantedanymore and nothing is absolute. I’m happy to be sober and surfing and painting again.’– DSCREETView the full catalogue here.COLLECTOR ENQUIRIES: [email protected]@backwoods.gallery@dscreetsheet
      SOS – Dscreet More

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      Ben Frost – Open Studio & New Artwork

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      Australian pop artist Ben Frost is throwing open the doors to his Melbourne studio this week. With over 100 new artworks on display, this is the first time his new workshop has been open to the public.This Saturday April 10, the studio will be open from 12 -6pm, there is no need RSVP, but due to COVID restrictions capacity in the studio will be limited, so get down early!Artwork will be available to purchase and take home on the day and refreshments will be provided. New works include Ben’s signature painted packaging, editions of laser cut board stencils, paintings on board, and brand new XL handmade packaging on board.If you’re not able to make it to the studio, all unsold artwork will be available to order online afterwards, with worldwide delivery.Sign up to Ben’s mailing list here for the latest updates…Ben Frost Studio, 9/177 Beavers Rd, Northcote, VIC 3070, Australiawww.instagram.com/benfrostisdeadwww.benfrostisdead.com More

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      Hiroyasu Tsuri aka Twoone – RAW MARK MAKING

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      RAW MARK MAKING – Hiroyasu Tsuri (b. 1983)

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      Hiroyasu Tsuri aka Twoone – RAW MARK MAKING

      “Raw Mark Making is quite a simple idea. It’s literally the meaning of the words. Mark making. In my context, it is making marks that are not commonly used in traditional art practice. Unusual movements, using any kind of tools, embracing a mood or attitude, mixed with the physical speed or controlling the level of impact on to the surface… that’s what I call raw mark making.”
      – Hiroyasu Tsuri

      Since pre-historic times it has been an instinctual human behaviour to make marks. Whether an individual or a group of people, mark making has been a constant outlet for human beings to leave behind a record of their existence and experiences. Hiroyasu Tsuri (TWOONE) is driven by this same innate behaviour. Tsuri creates marks with a childlike freedom of expression, open mindedness and this instinctual human desire to leave behind a legacy of visual depictions of the his interpretations of the human experience. Tsuri calls this ‘Raw Mark Making’.

      The concept of ‘Raw Mark Making’ is the culmination of a decade of experience taking every opportunity to paint marks whenever and wherever Tsuri finds himself around the world. This experience began in the early 2000’s, studying composition and mark making techniques with graffiti writers in Melbourne Australia. In 2014 Tsuri relocated to Berlin Germany and it was this move that sparked a philosophical desire to survey his practise over the last decade and acknowledge and consider the concepts, motivations and ideas behind why he creates marks, and why he chooses to do so in his distinct manner.

      Since 2012 Tsuri has exhibited four unique solo exhibitions with Backwoods Gallery – SevenSamurai (2012), Outsiders (2014), 100 Faces (2016) and Object (2018). Raw Mark Making (2020) celebrates Tsuri’s history, and development of, the different kinds of ‘Mark Making’ that have been exhibited in these exhibitions and that have become pivotal to first decade of his oeuvre. The selected works represents the different stages of discovery of Tsuri’s own unique expression of, and place within, the human history of ‘Raw Mark Making’.
      hiroyasutsuri.com
      Youtube channel
      @T_W_O_O_N_E
      BACKWOODS GALLERY
      25 Easey St Collingwood, Victoria, Australia
      www.backwoods.gallery More

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      Yusk Imai – Organic Future

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      ORGANIC FUTURE by Brazilian artist YUSK IMAI is open now at Backwoods Gallery, Australia. The show is the Imai’s 5th solo exhibition at the space over a period of 10 years. [embedded content] Directed and filmed by Byron Kehoe, this edit was recorded over Zoom through some late night/ early morning interviews with Yusk, who […] More