Here's some quotes by fellow Australian artist , from an interview .
"Remember there are not better artists, just better publicists!" Leith O'Malley
"When I am creating art... I have a real sense of excitement and even enlightenment. Just me and the work. It’s still there when a painting is completed but never as strong as the point where you are still trying to fit all the pieces together be it compositional, aesthetically or the colour and tone decisions along the way." Leith O'Malley
"Dismiss nothing unless you are informed enough about it to have an opinion. It is a lot like music.. in that there are so many different genres, ways to enjoy, interpretations and possibilities to create yourself. Don’t have your blinkers on and be open to understanding and enjoying all forms of art as in music." Leith O'Malley
The Art Calendar magazine is accepting entries for their self portrait magazine cover competition. I'm not sure if artists outside of the United States can enter, but I entered it anyway. Entries are submitted online and it's free to enter, so it was pretty easy.
Here's my self portrait entry..
Here's their blurb.. "Entrants will have the chance to win one of three great prizes. Our first place winner will receive a 0 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials and have their artwork featured on the cover of the March issue of the magazine! They will also be interviewed by one of the Art Calendar editors for a one-page profile, where we’ll feature a picture of the winner and their winning work. Our second place winner will receive a 0 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials and our third place winner will receive a 0 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials. Both our second and third place finalists will have a half-page profile with an image of their work and a short biography about them inside the magazine."
People are really good at making excuses and I'm no exception. I try not to accept my excuses though as they're usually pathetic, just like all of your excuses for not getting off your butt and doing what you really should be doing now.
Here's my pathetic excuses for not posting lately..
There's not enough hours in the day
I have been overdosing on art
I need a break (those close to me would find this excuse funny)
My head has been in the clouds
The blog doesn't make any money anyway (well duh, put ads on it!)
When I paint everyday I become sensitive to everything and everyone
Sometimes I have nothing to say and all the news bores me
I don't feel like it
Just because
C.
Here's a recent painting of Melbourne (click for larger image)..
I was asked a few questions by a student journalist at City University London recently..
1) First of all can you tell me a little bit about ? What themes do you explore in your art and why? What do you strive to achieve through it?
I basically just paint what I want, how I want. I have no social or moral message to give. I stopped selling paintings 18 months or more ago, with no intention to start selling again until I can no longer fit in my house, which has brought about a change in how I see painting. I'm now thinking more about conceptual art and looking at ideas more than thinking about who would buy a work.
2) Recently the Tate Modern was forced to remove 'Spiritual America’ from its Pop Life: Art in a Material World exhibition due to a public protest. What is your opinion on the matter? Do you think the piece was justly removed?
I don't know. We live in a sick world, so we have to draw the line somewhere with images of young people. Having said that, I wish we lived in a world that could see the images as innocent and beautiful. So, as much as I hate censorship, I'm not really sure how I feel about cases like this. The has dealt with similar issues.
3) Do you think art institutions should have the freedom to display boundary-pushing art that may offend certain members of the public? Why?
I think it's their job to push the boundaries. People that are easily offended shouldn't visit galleries. They should stay home in their safe, comfortable home and drink tea quietly. Art is either going to look good hanging on your wall or is trying to tell you something. Both forms are equally valid for me.
4) What do you think pushes an artist to create pieces that can cause possible public backlash? Is this a reaction to modern reality or just a means of getting publicity?
It's both. Most artists by nature are outsiders and like poking sticks at insiders, it amuses them to no end. You could also say it is a sign of the times we live in where you are nothing unless you are the biggest, loudest or most annoying. Many shock artists probably just needed more hugs growing up. has made a career out of it. His career has been so filled with "shock" that when he paints a relatively normal looking exhibition (like his current one) it is looked at as shocking.
5) What do you think is the social role of art?
I believe there are two kinds of art: an art that should hang well on the wall and an art that has something to say. The latter should use any means possible to speak its message.
6) What do you think are the major changes in the public's attitude towards art? Do you think our modern society is quick at judging and finding offence in everything?
I don't know. I don't think art is really that important to the general public. Nobody really takes much notice of art unless an artist is doing something outrageous. Being an artist or being involved in the art industry tricks you into thinking that art is everything and everyone must appreciate it as it's so important to you, but the average guy on the street couldn't care less about art.
Artists like the fact that society is quick to judge and easily offended. Many rely on these facts and play to them.
7) Do you think that by challenging conventional views art can truly make a change in the public‘s perception?
No, I don't think art has the fire power to affect change in any meaningful way. It will always touch the minority that actually takes notice of art, but art won't change society unless you include movies, the internet, and music. Things like painting, sculpture, installations, prints, and video art will never change much of society.
It seems that contemporary art is increasingly aimed to disturb and art which is made purely for aesthetic pleasure seems idealistic and secondary (beauty is often considered kitsch). What do you think caused this? Why qualities like disruptiveness and the shock value became marks of success?
It's the media age. It takes something loud, colourful and shocking to get our attention. A would bore most people to death these days. Most people have forgotten how to sit still for any length of time. Silent stillness forces you to look at yourself and that scares most people.
9) In the Satanic Verses, Salman Rushdie wrote "What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist". Do you think freedom of expression truly exists in our modern society?
Of course it doesn't exist. We're silly little immature beings that wouldn't know what freedom of expression was if it punched us in the face. It's nothing that a few hundred thousand years of evolution won't fix though. Let's just hope the earth will put up with us long enough to see us grow up..
I can't honestly say how useful this application is as I don't own an iPhone, but it sounds like a good idea. It's a free application (I believe there is also a pro version for a small fee) available from iTunes which guides you to art museums, exhibitions and galleries around the world. If it does what it's supposed to do it would be a must have for art travelers.
"Admittedly, we are still missing lots of info, but already have over 12,000 artists and 2600 galleries in our system - but we can only be as good as the people who provide us the info... Anyway, we developed this tool to make navigating the art world easy and hope that more and more people are going to make use of it." hopnear
Find out more about the artnear iPhone application at the or look for it in the iTunes store.
With the cold Winter months still amongst us, this Mackinaw Wool Western Vest from Filson offers an instant solution the the harsh climates while still adding a fashionista element to your wardrobe. The vest is constructed with naturally breathable, durable and water repellent wool, inspired by the mountains and magnificence of the West. Fully crafted in the USA, highlights include classic 4-pocket styling, a notched lapel, and front button closure. Available now through Filson retailers, including Unionmade.
Unionmade
493 Sanchez Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
415.861.3373
Taiwanese fixed gear crew, nabiis, has hooked up with FTC on this ‘Alchemy’ frame which nabiis has tested over a year. The black and gold colorway frames are available through FTC stores while the translucent gun metal colorway, translucent turquoise colorway, and a pearl clear coat colorway are available through .
The black/gold frame/fork is all black with vintage, Keirin like gold flakes mixed into the paint. All the graphics on this frame/fork are gold. The “nabiis” and “FTC” name is on the down tube. “For The City” is located on the seat tube. “alchemy” is located on the top tube. A “triangular shape with FTC” in it, is on the head tube. nabiis’ logo is laser engraved on the back of the seat tube. On the inside of the fork “FTC” is located on the left and “nabiis” is located on the right. The fork was made for all you tricksters, so you can do bar spins with your 700c wheel. The city of SF’s official colors are black and gold as is the brand colors for FTC. This colorway will be available at all FTC stores (SF, TOKYO, SAC, BARCELONA). They will be available in sizes 48, 50, 52, and 54.
The translucent gun metal, translucent turquoise, and the pearl clear coat colorway frame has “alchemy” written on the top tube. The “chromium” and “molybdenum” symbols from the periodic table of elements is located on the seat tube. The “nabiis” and “FTC” name is on the down tube. A triangular shape with FTC in it, is on the head tube. nabiis’ logo is laser engraved on the back of the seat tube. On the inside of the fork “FTC” is located on the left and “nabiis” is located on the right. The fork was made for all you tricksters, so you can do bar spins with your 700c wheel.
Double Butted 4130 Cro-Moly
68mm English BB
1-1/8″ Head Tube (Standard Headset)
120mm Rear Spacing
27.2mm Seatpost
Size: 480.500.520.540mm (C to C)
Following up on today’s , Spanish fashion house Balenciaga unveil a collection of wallets from its upcoming Spring/Summer line. Only a couple of new styles are seen, including a textured leather option and beautifully designed molded stud wallets, which are offered in two different sizes. Look for these to release via Balenciaga soon.
Continuing Vans exploration of modern detailing, this new take on its Native American plays off the popular industry tonal design with a “Binding” offspring, featuring premium detailing, waxed laces, and even leather toe caps replacing the standard rubber versions. As extensive as ever, the upcoming Vans Vault season continues to impress with remixed versions of Vans classics. Stay tuned as a release can be expected within the early part of 2010.
Here's some quotes by fellow Australian artist , from an interview .
It seems that contemporary art is increasingly aimed to disturb and art which is made purely for aesthetic pleasure seems idealistic and secondary (beauty is often considered kitsch). What do you think caused this? Why qualities like disruptiveness and the shock value became marks of success?
