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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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      ‘Started Again’ – Dilk Print Drop

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      Started Again is Bio Editions debut print release by Nottingham based graffiti artist, Dilk. Three editions of the print will be available to purchase at 3pm BST on Thursday 3rd August via their online store.Adapted from his ‘True Love’ canvas exhibited as part of the permanent collection at STRAAT Museum Amsterdam, each 87 x 67cm print celebrates this monumental 3.5 x 5m original artwork in a new form.Notts lad Steven Dilks began his long-standing career in graffiti as a writer in the 1980’s, prolifically producing work on the streets from a young age. Taking early old school graffiti influences and turning them into an ever-evolving contemporary art style – combined with his hunger for travelling and new connections – has established Dilk as an important part of the UK’s graffiti history.Today his recognisable abstract style situates his work in leading urban contemporary museums as it takes a contemporary twist on traditional graffiti lettering. Combining bold marks and colours with intricate finer details, each new piece maps an ever-changing amalgamation of abstracts, dreamlike colour pallets, sharp lines and drip work. Cop one today while you can. More

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      John Fekner – Detective Show – Bio Editions Book Release

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      The latest release from UK publishing house Bio Editions is a photography book from John Fekner, entitled ‘Detective Show’. Featuring a foreword by legendary art critic, Carlo McCormick, the title explores the formative steps of street-art-as-installation, transporting readers back to 1970s Queens, New York, and shining a light on an era of authentic, artistic freedom.Detective Show maps the conception and creation of a strikingly unique outdoor urban art event organised in 1978, spanning the breadth of an unloved park in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC. Contributors included Fekner himself, Don Leicht, and numerous acclaimed artists, including Richard Artschwager and Gordon Matta-Clark.Fekner ultimately decided to invite those he shared studio space with in the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center to join him in hiding works across the park, including Richard Artschwager, Gordon Matta-Clark, Len Bellinger, Don Leicht, Frances Hynes, Claudia DeMonte and Karen Shaw among others.Envisioned as a ‘beyond the visible’ hide-and-seek art game of sorts, with visitors given clues and urged to seek out the works strewn across the concrete expanses or even hidden among the trees, Fekner’s objective was simply to create thoughtful interaction with surroundings through art, to the benefit of the public, young and old alike. The end result, he hoped, would provide what he thought of as ‘the magic of discovery by happenstance’.Careful to ensure that the painted and sculpted contributions worked in harmony with the space, Fekner notes he “had to place some restrictions on the artists – no monumental stuff that might disturb the park.”Interspersed between photographs documenting the scope and joy of the show, artists fondly recall a period of artistic freedom that felt unencumbered by the trappings of commercial art.“It’s hard to remember what an exciting and different time 1978 was in the art world. It was pre-PR machines, hype, mega-money, business plans,” notes DeMonte.“For a few weeks in the spring of 1978, about two hundred kids were exposed to original artwork in their own backyard, by some of the most renowned artists of the day,” adds Dave Santaniello, “and that experience changed their perception of their environment forever.”Fekner himself was particularly pleased by the low-key nature of the show’s impact: “The Detective Show was quite unlike current street art festivals with their spectacular large murals, bright colours and street fair atmosphere.“The show was quiet and removed; distanced from the usual New York art world locations and audiences. Extremely low key, it was a temporary art installation about subtlety, nuance, and the magic of discovery by happenstance.”Many of the artists involved in the show have since gone on to become revered names within the contemporary art world, some were renowned before they took part, and others went on to teach, or lead ‘ordinary’ lives. This only serves to further act as tribute to a show that was created with solely the art and those who would experience it in mind, a great unifying cause for creators that urged others to look for beauty in hidden places.In notable contrast to today’s large scale mural-style street art festivals, this 84-page book charts an ideologically-pure reinvention of the urban landscape for the benefit of all, made without corporate sponsorship or underlying motives.Like the show itself, the book – which includes numerous lovingly-printed photographs documenting the event, flyers, newspaper clippings & other ephemera, and written recollections by many of the artists themselves – is a love letter to the innovation of art within public spaces.Two editions of the book, including those featuring limited-edition prints, will be available from 5pm on 1st December 2022.In addition to the first Edition of 450, Bio will also release a special edition of 78, signed by John Fekner. These are sold along with a limited edition gicleé print with silkscreen varnish, signed and numbered by the artist.Detective Show will be available to order via Bio Editions’ website. Photography courtesy John Fekner / Bio Editionswww.bioeditions.com 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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      Clown Skateboards – Final Manifesto Drop!

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      Clown skateboards have just dropped the final release of decks in their ‘Manifesto’ series. In their words, via an Instagram announcement, they put out the following statement:‘We love our manifesto and what it meant to us. However, this drop of manifestos will be the end of the “here to finish what we started” run… We decided upfront that this will be the final run of manifesto’s as we have been back for a minute now and have new goals we want to fulfil.’This marks the close of another chapter in the Clown story, but for anyone following along so far, you know that it’s far from over. One of the key goals for Clown when they decided on their return, around 15 years after they shut down their doors back in the early noughties, was that they were aiming for a carbon neutral operation. They aren’t quite up to speed yet, but this is the main focus of the next act, as they explain below:‘It was obvious we weren’t going to be a fast fashion, why the fuck would you want to! Waste of ink, cloth and packaging brands that don’t understand all the various steps of the value chain and more importantly the side effects of production is a place we do not want to be in. So, we picked makers that had a lower impact, we deliberately picked printing methods that used lower discharge and packaging that was compostable at least. To date on all our apparel we can honestly say that:78% (“So not 100% perfect, but 100% on the way there”) of it is made using renewable energy100% is made using organic or recycled fibers100% comes from places that do look after the people that make it and pay them properly (that shit matters).All our clothing packing is FSC, locally manufactured, recyclable or compostable and none of it has the characteristics of a plastic bag as when that shit hits the ocean and yes 10% of all bags do – who knows why. It does break down after 2 years but in the process, it chokes marine life, we have all seen the photos…We don’t just leave it there as we also carry this over in our boards with all wood coming from forest conservations areas that maintain biodiversity in nature, all waste 100% recycled and glues that are not going to make those pressing our boards to be ill in a few years and then dump all that into our waterways. We don’t shrink wrap and all the bags we do use are made from recyclable material and can be recycled again.Obviously, these things have a cost attached to them but better than costing the earth, right? But that cost is on us, your agreement when buying Clown stuff is to wear the fuck out of it then up-cycle it or hand it on. If you buy to waste, please don’t buy from us.Two new tee drops include a triple pack of tees, and the ‘Mr Ed’ tee joins the Clown OG design, which returns for a ‘Flashlite’ special. Based around the idea of the funk band Parliament, who used to shine flashlites (aka torches, if you’re British) into the crown to shine a light on people who had found the funk. Flipping the idea into the 21st century, Clown are shining the light back on the people who support them – without you, they say, ‘we’re in the dark’.Both tee drops are part of the Clown “one of 120 products”, which means they will make 120 of these bad boys, with 20 going out to clown team members and the rest up for grabs. Fully vegan, organic, and made by people that don’t work in a sweatshop and get paid properly. Happy days.www.instagram.com/clown_skateboardswww.clownskateboards.com/shop 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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      Art Decko – Bradford on Avon Skate Park Fundraiser Auction

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      Some of the UK’s finest street artists have chipped in their time and materials to help raise money for a new skatepark in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire.Legends such as Will Barras, Mr Jago, China Mike and Inkie have joined forces with a team of fresh illustrators and artists like Matt Richards, Ben Allen, Olly Howe, Saki & Bitches, Peter Burke, Victoria Topping and Callum Eaton to donate artwork – mostly decorated skate decks – for an online auction via GalaBid. The bidding ends at midnight on Sunday, September 19.The campaign was started by local resident Carl Jones, whose skater son, Idris, went to the Town Council to ask for a new skatepark, after the old ramps were demolished with no plans to replace. The new skatepark will be on the same site as the old ramps and will form part of a redevelopment of the whole Poulton Park site. The auction aims to bring the organisers closer to their target of building the new skatepark that Bradford on Avon deserves.To view the artworks, place bids or donate to the cause, visit the GalaBid site – www.galabid.com/artdeckoFollow the BoA Skatepark journey here: www.instagram.com/bradfordonavonskateparkPhotos courtesy of the artists and www.instagram.com/matt_inwood More

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      DesignerCon UK Lands In London

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      DesignerCon, the hugely successful US event, makes its UK debut this month. Bringing together urban art, cult toys, sneakers, fashion, NFTs and more all under one roof, this is a must-do for all modern collectors and superfans.DesignerCon is an annual art and design convention that smashes together collectible toys, customs, plush, designer apparel and so much more with urban, underground and pop art in a celebration of all aspects of design from all over the world.For all those interested in non-fungible tokens, DesignerCon will be joining NFT Art guru Ricky O’Donnell as he hosts a world exclusive live NFT event. Fans can learn how to buy, sell, collect and bask in the glory of NFT platforms and networks, or ask Ricky questions directly in an open forum.Kingdom of Trainers boss Franklin Boetang will be hosting “The Kingdom”, an exclusive showcase of creative urban brands. In this arena, you’ll also be able to join Forcefield, who launch their UK website at the event, ride a special bike track created by Mate Bikes, view a bespoke installation by KarlaCorn and shop brands such as Cabral Mercer and Sailing Soul. For toy collectors, there will be collectables available exclusively to buy at the show, celebrating the Designer Con mascot “Vincent”. Check out Bearbricks Marty Vincent by Scott Tolleson , Dissected Vincent by Jason Feeny or Kidrobot Vincent Dunny.The Mighty Jaxx Artist Spotlight will showcase up and coming talent such as Amr Design, Christopher Luke, Da Star, anti-suicide toy Grum Reapur and more.Kicking off at the ExCel Centre, the event opens this Friday, August 20th.  Tickets are priced at £50 for Weekend VIP, £20 for standard Weekend and £10 for Day Passes.VIP ticket holders will receive a variety of products and perks that general admission does not receive. From Friday VIP night, to weekend early bird entry, exclusive giveaways, VIP line access for faster entry, VIP lounge access and a whole bunch more…GET YOUR TICKETS HERE  More

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      Clown Skateboards – Guest Art Project – Adam Neate

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      Adam Neate, an old friend of Clown Skateboards and self-taught artist, is next up to bat in their Guest Art Project series. Neate’s boards are a reflection of the ‘family’ that is the skateboarding community. By celebrating gender fluidity in today’s society, the triptych proclaims that love and mutual support are far more important than gender.Putting this ethos into practice, this edition of Family will be pressed at the Far Skate Foundation, a charitable organisation which empowers young people through skateboarding, and will be hand screened by Clown’s master printer Tommy.An acclaimed British painter, conceptual artist and one of the world’s best-known street artists, Adam Neate began his career painting the streets, whilst also skating them.“Those years were my art school,” says Neate. “I learnt about colour and composition simply through practice. The critics were there every day…”Now based in São Paulo, Brazil, his work is displayed in collections around the world. A fearless painter, he has developed his own language of ‘Dimensional Painting’ where the viewer moves and changes the painting depending on their vantage point, to get the full multi-dimensional effect.‘Reconnecting with Adam on the Guest Art Project was always a priority for us. When he first delivered the new artwork for the boards, we were sold with not just the art, but also the message. Skateboarding is such a great support network and loving community and we think these boards truly reflect how open skateboarding is to all communities. It is just such a perfect fit for what we are about and what we are trying to achieve through ‘IN Action’.’ – Jeff Boardman, Clown Skateboards FounderThe Family sets will be the most complex hand-printed series in Clown’s history. Each set is made using 26 screens and hand-produced in a way that does justice to the original artwork. This will be a signed and numbered edition of only 35 sets.Adam’s Family is released on the 20th July at the Guest Art Project – www.clownskateboards.com/guest-art-projectwww.instagram.com/clown_skateboardswww.instagram.com/adam_neate More