Fuyuko Matsui…

Though I never got around to writing about it, when I was in Tokyo last, I went to see the first major exhibition of work by Fuyuko Matsui: “Becoming friends with all the children of the world,” at the . I probably didn’t write about it because it was a such a sensory overload at the time, and it’s taken a while for the whole experience to settle – but in a word, it was dark. I mean as deep and dark as any nightmare – as equally as frightening and upsetting too.  There is nothing subtle about the mental anguish and madness her figures suffer in dismemberment and decomposition. But I still enjoyed the show. At a technical level, it was really interesting to get up close and see how Nihonga paintings are made, and fortunately a lot of her initial sketches and proofs were included in the display. Deconstructing the work (post mortem..ha ha) was really interesting and educational. The themes of madness and despair were alienating and difficult to decode, but that lent itself to the insanity really, of trying to express the inexpressible. Check out more of her work here at the Yokohama Museum of Art website.

new work…

Just finished up what I was doing – I’ll scan it in as soon as I can and add it to the gallery. But as I was saying before, this one is mounted paper on a 22cm x 22cm wooden board.

W.I.P…

Here is a shot of my latest piece in the works. After doing a bit of research I found a great way to mount paper onto board – and having the paper fixed to a sturdy, firm surface seems to have boasted the contrast and made it easier to draw in details. The only drawback being I can’t roll my work up for transport anymore…

knock knock…

Independent online magazine Knock Knock has an interview and writeup on some of the themes I explore in my drawings – And be sure to flick thru the pages and get a taste of “…emerging and established Australian and international creatives doing their thing, and doing it well” while you’re at it. Knock Knock is in it’s second edition and is shaping up to be a comprehensive and extensive journal of contemporary, street level and alternative art, and definitely worth keeping an eye on. So, if you have a minute check it out.

mucking about…

Recently, I’ve been working on smaller, mounted paper on boards. During the drawing process I snapped away with my camera and put  together this little animated .gif for my own amusement, but thought I may as well upload and share.

KABA2 / GENGATEN…

Just got back from Tokyo yesterday. Spent the weekend down there  catching up with some friends here for holidays – also found time to cruise about some galleries and specialty zine stores which was interesting. Picked up a few souvenirs too, one of which is worth looking into. Katsuhiro Otomo, known for his epic Akira is having an illustration exhibition next month (Gengaten)and co-incidentally released a book recently (kaba2) with a collection of new and old illustration from the early 90’s to 2011. I’ve been a fan since 6th grade when I stayed up late to watch the feature length film on the telly, and it had a lasting effect and influence on both my interest in Japanese manga culture and the arts in general. His genius is pretty much undeniable. If you haven’t already got yourself a copy of the manga staple “what are you waiting for!….” (And a big thanks David)