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FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2010 // THE WORK OF COMIC BOOK ARTIST PHIL NOTO

Without sounding too nerdy, COMIC BOOKS ARE RAD! I can't say i've even read a full one before and i'm certainly no collector but i do have a keen interest in the art of comic books. So when i look at the work of Canadian comic artist & illustrator Phil Noto who cleverly combines comic book art with my favourite of styles: 'the vintage one', it makes me all happy inside! What is also interesting is that Phil has only been in comics a short time really, but he's attracted a legion of fans with his sexy, vintage spy girls and classic and styled approach. And like me, most of the illustrators Noto digs worked in the 50's and 60's. We're talking uys like Robert McGinnis (BIG FAN), you know, the guy who did most of the old James Bond posters n shit! You can check out more of Phil's work at www.notoart.com

FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2010 // TEAM ROBBO vs BANKSY INCORPORATED

There's a really interesting interview just posted over at Juxtapoz with one half of the Robbo vs Banksy saga, and this time it's Team Robbo saying his piece. It talks in the interview about the past, his family, the present situation with Banksy and the future happenings of this oldschool legend. Quote, "You have woken-up the wrong person. You woke me up, you bought me back. I think you realised it was a mistake to start this. It has back-fired and now you have to deal with the fall out whether you like it or not." Classic. More classic Robbo over at www.juxtapoz.com

THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2010 // ANYFORTY VERSUS EXHIBITION

Recently I was asked to take party in a neat charity exhibition in Bristol by the legendary Alan Wardle of AnyForty fame. The brief was simple. Use 3 colours and go nuts. And here's my entry... there's something about vampire rollerbabes that is so hot right now. The exhibition took place in Bristol at a neat gallery called Start the Bus and only ran for last weekend but until Sunday 27th June you can go and buy the prints from the Versus exhibition online at AnyForty. At the moment all prints are in stock (including yours truly) and a reminder that all profits go to Bristol’s Knowle West Media Centre. So not only are you getting a brilliant piece of artwork, your donating to a great cause! Go buy yours now at www.anyforty.com

Versus Exhibition Virtual Gallery from AnyForty on Vimeo.

THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2010 // THESE ARE THE DAYS

Following the success of her debut show, Leah Bartholomew returns with her second solo exhibition These Are the Days opening tonight 6:30pm - 8:30pm at none other than Gorker Gallery. These Are the Days is an intimate exploration of the small, special moments that bind us together in friendshop and create a sense of place. The prints, collages and paper sculptures delicately handcrafted by bartholomew tell the story of a protracted coming of age, anchored in the landscapes of both experience and imagination.

From poetic scenes such as the group of friends lazing in a sun-drenched field, to the bonding of the shared beer in city back streets, to the quiet moment of solitude amongst prismatic trees, these works honour the events and emotions that can seem almost insignificant at the time, but go on to become important memories and dreams. They convey a similar feeling to that of discovering the smell of bonfire on a pair of jeans that you haven’t worn for weeks. Nostalgic. Ethereal. Personal. Precious. Exhibition runs until Sunday 27 June. More info at www.gorkergallery.com

WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE 2010 // THE EVERFRESH BLACKBOOK

To say i'm excited about the not to far away release of the EVERFRESH: BLACKBOOK wood be a massiv mutha cussin understatement. Simply said, what these guys have done for Melbourne (the city), it's locals and for every bit of creative inspiration they've given to so many other artists is legend type shit. Not to mention the productivity of art within the group itself. Don't get me started! I'm talking about the group known as Everfresh here — artists Sync, Phibs, Reka, Rone, Wonderlust, Prizm, Meggs, Makatron and The Tooth — who create works which fuse intense colour, intricate line work, iconic characters and visual narratives, using the most diverse street art and graffiti techniques. The Everfresh crew are the key players that continue to shape Melbourne’s dynamic and prolific street-art scene.

Everfresh Studio is an explosive hub of creation and activity, inconspicuously located in Melbourne’s inner-city suburb of Collingwood. Behind an unmarked factory door, Everfresh artists conceive, develop and collaborate to produce their now internationally renowned work for the streets, as well as fine art for exhibition in galleries and to furnish the art market’s growing appetite for street art.

Illustrated with striking, candid photography, EVERFRESH: BLACKBOOK provides a rare and exclusive insight into the life of the studio, the artists behind the work and the culture of the elusive underground art world—a world usually cloaked in anonymity. More info at www.everfreshstudio.com

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