The National Grid Gallery

Thanks to everyone who came along to the opening of KLAN, a body of work, installation & book launch by artist Apeseven at The National Grid Gallery on Friday night. The show continues (& is well worth a visit), until September 3rd.

The National Grid Gallery opening Hours are Monday – Friday 9am-5pm :: Saturday 12pm – 3pm

Please Call (02) 9905 9332 for any further details. Admission to the gallery is free.

ApeSeven, tell us the thinking and process behind your new works that will be on show at The National Grid Gallery in Brookvale from Friday 6th August — what can the people expect?
My latest body of work KLAN takes a look at my imagined family albeit future tribe. An emotive, mysterious, somewhat elegant figurative visual language has been developed to illustrate my search for belonging in this world, amongst my peers, family and dreams.

Where does the inspiration for your mythical characters come from?
I would have to initially say a complex mix of my travels, dreams, science. Then I think my inspiration or motivation comes from a need to create a world to help me cope and relate to the world around me.

What is your process, what mediums do you use?
In terms of process I approach my works first and foremost with a street art perspective, utilizing both graphic and painterly qualities to my work. Works typically incorporate a number of mediums acrylic, ink, found paper, aerosol, found objects. I found this mixed media approach engages the observer and reflects the multi layered thoughts and processes going on in my head.
What is the criteria for choosing a place to paste?
I would love to say there is a well thought out process for selection, but I more often than not seem to gravitate to particular urban settings. Sometimes there is a resonant nostalgia in the locations I choose, reminding me of my youth or more innocent times.

How would you explain your work to someone who has never seen it before?
An exploration of my relationship to the divine, depicted by a fusion of childhood creatures, science, complex symbolism and an aesthetic drawn from an observation of the potential, imagined and observed worlds.

What motivated you to make a book?
As a street artist exhibiting in a gallery some of that energy that people encounter in an urban setting can be lost. Klan existed initially with sketches, words, then street installations. The exhibition at The National Grid is a refined culmination of Klan. The book loosely documents this whole body of work and I believe captures the energy of street and develops a context for the exhibiton. The book is simultaneously the glue between my works and a work unto itself.

Apeseven’s  works currently focuses on elements of alchemy . A process of transmutation depicted by a fusion of childhood creatures, science, complex symbolism akin to early scientists and an aesthetic drawn from an observation of the potential, imagined and observed worlds .

OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY 6TH AUGUST 6PM-10PM
EXHIBITION RUNS UNTIL 3RD SEPTEMBER 2010
THE NATIONAL GRID GALLERY. 24 CHARD RD. BROOKVALE
WWW.THENATIONALGRID.COM.AU

AN EXHIBITION OF ORIGINAL ARTWORK BY 22 FEMALE ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Opening Night: Friday 18th June 2010 from 6-10pm
The National Grid Gallery. 24 Chard Road, Brookvale NSW 2100.

Exhibition is open from 19th June until 23rd July 2010.
Opening Hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm :: Saturday 12pm – 3pm

The exhibition is a celebration female artistic talent from around the world.
Each artist has been requested to produce an original piece specifically for this event.
None of the work will have been seen anywhere before.
The band ‘KissKiss n Tell’ will also be performing LIVE on the night.

Featuring:
KAREENA ZEREFOS :: EMMA SHELDRAKE :: KELLY THOMPSON :: ANDREA INNOCENT
BRIDGE STEHLI :: MIMI YOON :: LARA ALLPORT :: CARLY CASEY :: RACHEL WELLS
SHANNON CREES :: BEC WINNEL :: CLAIRE REID :: BEC CROCKETT :: MADDI BOYD
REBECCAH DENT :: MIA TANINAKA :: KAITLIN BECKETT :: JAIMEE PAUL
:: ROZANNA JOHNSON :: KRISTY MILLIKEN :: KATHERINE BARRETT :: RUTH CADIOLI

Kristy Milliken is a Melbourne artist. She is inspired by the conceptions of excess, greed and ambition and how they relate to everyday people. Her unique viewpoint has been shaped by her experience as a photographer in the amateur porn industry. Kristy’s work has been showcased in Arkitip, Curvy and Faesthetic, she is also a founding editor of Mess+Noise magazine.

How long have you been using water colour as a medium?
Actually its ink, but i use it like watercolour. I’ve been working with it for about 2 years now.

Who inspires / influences you?
The news, people in the line at the supermarket. When things stop being exciting and new and start becoming normal and dull. I self impose a ban on looking at other artists work while i’m working on my latest series. Now the work for this show is complete, I’m looking forward to checking out all the Anthony Lister, Kill Pixie, Marcel Dzama and Tim Hussey work I’ve missed in the last couple of months.

What compels you to paint really fat people?
Its a weird time for fat. Fat is both confronting and can be the most normal thing in the world, its the context thats important. Plus I’m sick of all the pictures of skinny girls that seem to be everywhere.

Have fat people always been your thing, or is it the current trend in your work?
No, it’s a fairly recent thing.

Is there a hidden meaning/ message that you are trying to communicate in your work?
Theres a few reoccurring themes i get hooked on. Greed, beauty, the fact that it’s ok to be average.

What was it like working in the amateur porn industry and how has it affected the way you see the world?
It’s great to be exposed to that much nudity from an artistic point of view. Being saturated with beautiful girls everyday can take its toll, nowadays the things I find attractive are the imperfections.

Do you like spaghetti?
Love it!

‘A life slowed down for the observer’
Artwork by Kristy Milliken

Opening Night: Friday 7th May 2010
Exhibition is open from 8th May until 11th June

Opens FRIDAY 26th MARCH, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm

at The National Grid Gallery
24 Chard Road Brookvale 2100

Exhibition is open until 30th April.

Analogue celebrates medium format film photography – a collection of traditionally enlarged Black and White images taken with vintage and toy cameras by three Australian based fine art photographers. (Melissa Ramirez, Dax Pointon and Stuart Frossell)

Analogue intends to show people the amazing world of film photography with images that defy digital commercial photography. It’s aim is to prove that film is still a relevant style of photography and to help keep the film photography and darkroom techniques alive as a form of collectable and fine art.