This a new work on comedian, Akmal Saleh, (detail) oil on canvas 91 x 91 cm. Akmal is a funny man. I chose not to add a background and keep it clean as I wanted the focus to be drawn to the expression – a moment in time.
Here’s my entry in this year’s 28th Rotary Cartoon Awards at Coffs Harbour and a tribute to what is ‘Team Nick’. Yes, it’s a black and white pastel work of Nick Kyrgios – oh, he who could be a great tennis player if he manages to balance social media with ball practice (eh, Pat?). It’s titled ‘The Yolk’s on Nick’.
The Rotaries are in Coffs from July. Check it out. www.bunkercartoongallery.com.au
RAW ARTIST SHOWCASE: TICKETS ON SALE TILL 12 APRIL
I’ve been selected to exhibit at an upcoming RAW Showcase in April. RAW Showcases offer an opportunity to emerging artists to exhibit their work and creativity to the world. Each showcase features not only 2D artists, but there are approx 40 artists in film, fashion, music, photography, performing art, hair and make-up for a one-night creative explosion!
The Showcase is on Friday 15 April 2016 at the Manning Bar, Manning Rd Sydney Uni (near Broadway) from 7.30pm. Tickets are now on sale.
I need sponsors!
If anyone would like to sponsor me or buy a ticket to the event if you live in Sydney, they’re only $20 each. The link to buy your ticket is http://www.rawartists.org/sydney/signature (be sure to click on my name when making your purchase).
This is a portrait I did of Fred Hollows which I’m donating it to the Fred Hollows Foundation for the marvellous pioneering work they do and after hearing about the ‘Fred on the Fiver’ campaign – a push to get recognition for this great Aussie on our currency rather than a building. The work is oil on canvas with substrate layer of raw umber wash.
The update on the Fred on the Fiver Campaign is that they are still gathering petition signatures for the campaign and there is a meeting with the Reserve Bank in March this year to discuss. The Fred Hollows Foundation is a non-government organisation. To donate visitwww.hollows.org.au or call 1800 352 352.
#fredhollowsfoundation
RAW: NATURAL BORN ARTISTS PRESENTS:
I’ve been selected to exhibit my work at an upcoming RAW Showcase on April 15. RAW Showcases offer an opportunity to emerging artists to exhibit their work and creativity to the world.
The Showcase I have invited to be part of is happening:
When: Friday 15 April 2016
Where: Manning Bar, Manning Rd Sydney Uni (near Broadway)
Time: from 7.30pm
But I’m looking for sponsors. If anyone would like to sponsor me or buy a ticket to the event which promises to be exciting, featuring not only 2D artists, but makeup artists, performance artists, etc. to attend the event, they’re only 20 bucks each.
The link to buy your ticket is http://www.rawartists.org/sydney/signature (be sure to click on my name when making your purchase).
Here are my two entries into this year’s BA Prize. This year I chose to comment on something that happened during the year and take a swipe at the banter of a politician. What if the self-proclaimed ‘I’m the Fixer’ Christopher Pyne, MP was shown to be fixed himself – an introspective look at this prim and proper pollie with his porcelain skin and perfect diction. The Porcelain Pyne was born. The other work is a two-piece showing two sides of our now Deputy PM. It looks at the famous Pistol and Boo saga with Johnny Depp’s lil dogs that were ‘smuggled’ in during filming of the latest Pirates franchise. I have a personal view on this but unfortunately it goes against the grain of what the law is. It, quite frankly, has been a waste of fossil fuel and man, woman (and canine) hours.
My piece – ‘Barnaby and Joyce aka Bugger and Off’ – mocks this whole episode. But with the BA Prize it pays to have a crystal ball of sorts and try to pre-empt what is still being talked about upon conceptual ideas as an artist, producing the work, and then being selected for the 10-month tour. will they still be talking about Pistol and Boo? (Well it is still going through the courts.) And, Porcelain Pyne? Well he seems like that little obnoxious kid at a birthday party who steals the smarties of the birthday cake before cutting, then blames the dog for it. You know the type … ?
I could have done ‘Choppergate’ or focussed on Malcolm as my subject but there’s always plenty of clever concepts on show at the exhibition and well worth a look. I just wanted to offer some idea of my thought processes, albeit a bit left of centre.
Both pieces must have struck a contemporary cord, as I was fortunate to have both selected. The Prize opened in Watson ACT on 12 Feb until 14 March 2016. It comes to Sydney when the winner will be announced in late July. http://www.baldarchy.com.au.
I put my hand up to create these 5 foot high caricatures of my youngest son’s two year 6 teachers. These have been made for their Year 6 farewell celebration which as you’ll see has a beach / Hawaiian theme. They have been painted in oils on wood panels, varnished and will be die cut with a block stuck to the back so they’ll stand up. The idea is to get all the respective kids in their classes to sign them around the edges (not across the face). Maybe I’ll start a new trend in goodbye cards!
