Semi-Permanent announces second raft of speakers for Sydney conference

Semi-Permanent, Australia’s award winning design festival*, is pleased to announce additional speakers to its already awe-inspiring line up. Award winning filmmaker David Michôd, San Francisco based design community Fecal Face and Australia’s own frankie magazine, join this year’s event on the 19 and 20 March. Other speakers this year include the likes of award winning photographers Jill Greenberg and Ashley Gilbertson, graphic artists Jasper Goodall and Jessica Hische and the ABC’s celebrated broadcaster Craig Schuftan.

David Michôd – an Australian director who is currently building a solid reputation on the international film scene. His debut feature film, Animal Kingdom, was recently awarded the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. He was also the co-director of the critically acclaimed documentary, Solo, which documented the ill-fated journey of kayaker Andrew McAuley’s attempt to kayak between Australia and New Zealand. The powerful documentary won the 2009 AFI Award for Best Documentary Under One Hour. David is also well known to the Australian film community as past editor of Inside Film magazine.

Fecal Face – Making a welcome return in the web community space is San Francisco based Fecal Face - a leading online art based community site. Initially created to highlight and promote the art scene in San Francisco, Fecal Face has expanded to encompass work from artists and exhibitions world-wide. It’s an extensive directory of photos and interviews with artists, and the sites positive, down to earth and fun outlook on art makes it stand out from the crowd.

frankie magazine - one of Australia’s most popular magazines which combines interesting articles, beautiful photography and great artwork to make a cross between a fashion and art magazine that speaks to a wide audience. Founded by Louise Bannister and creative director Lara Burke, frankie is a creative voice amongst the multitude of magazines created for women that are basically catalogues for advertiser and to top it off, it’s a magazine that even your average male hipster is not ashamed to read!

Alongside the two day conference, Semi-Permanent also plays host to side shows which have seen the likes of Banksy, Shepard Fairey and 123Klan exhibit work for the Australian public. This year is no different kicking off with Mixed Business presented by We Are The Image Makers, the Opening Hours, Stupid Krap and Semi-Permanent. Taking place on the 18th March at the Ambush Gallery in Waterloo, the group show features work from leading artists including Numskull, Phibs, Beastman and James Jarat Patradoon alongside international talent, Mel Kadel and Travis Millard. The show will be open until 28th March 2010.

More information on the event, here.

Filed under: Briefing Room, Events |

Engraving by Twoone

At the Gorker Gallery: 25 february - 14 March, 2010
Twoone is an artist who’s work commands a certain kind of intrigue from it’s audience. His craftsmanship, patience and instantly recognizable decorative style resonates a flowing narrative, portraying a world of spiritual tranquility that you can’t help but wish to be a part of. He is an artist who’s quiet voice and kind nature are conflicting to his success, his artwork speaking for itself, with features in some of Australia’s premier art and design magazines and exhibiting with the likes of Graham Base in February this year. We see this as a promising beginning to 2010, with ‘Engraving’ set to be another exciting showcase of his work.

Engraving by Twoone

Opening Night Thursday 25 February, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Show runs until Sunday 14 March
Gorker Gallery opening hours:
3pm - 7:00pm Wednesday - Friday
11am - 7:00pm Saturday & Sunday
Wine Tasting Wednesday 10 Mach 6:00pm - 7:00pm
(Brought to you by Austin Wines)

See more at Gorker Gallery

See more of Twoone’s work here

Filed under: Art, Briefing Room, Events, Galleries, illustration |

Speakers include: Mark Williams, lawyer, Contracts and copyright; Paul Bootes, Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) CAL, the difference between CAL and Plr/Elr and what the Google Settlement means for illustrators; Industry panel discussion Experienced illustrators talk about the issues of pricing.

Seminar date: Saturday 27th March, 2010, Registration 9.30am sharp, Seminar runs 10am – 4.30pm

Download the, PDF form for more information.

Filed under: News, illustration |

Illusive - Contemporary Illustration Part 3

The third edition of Illusive brings together a comprehensive selection of international contemporary illustration, plus interviews with the designers/artists. The collection displays artistic and commercial pieces by artists and designers such as: Pietari Posti, Andrew Banneker, Keemo, Petra Börner, Nathan Fox, Bovey Lee, Jeff Nishinaka, Sarah Illenberger, Margot Macé, Laura Laine, Gabriel Moreno, Lorenzo Petrantoni, Jeanti, Olaf Hajek, Yuko Shimizu, Tomer Hanuka, and more.

Jeanti, Illusive - Contemporary Illustration Part 3, © GESTALTEN, 2010

Illusive aims to bridge the gap between commercial and artistic illustration by “extending the virulent debate about contemporary art and design in a productive direction”. As all illustrative work has the purpose of demonstrating a concept/idea, supporting the “transmission of that content’s information”: all pieces stand on their own in this book, as they are taken away from their original context and thus viewed as each an ‘art piece’.
By examining the “actual conditions of illustrative work and the contexts of contemporary illustration” through the various interviews and images selected, Illusive is not only a collection of inspiring works, but a unique insight into the process of illustration itself. The series of Illusive books continue to prove to be a valuable source of inspiration and way of keeping up to date with the ever expanding and changing illustration world.

Olaf Hajek, Illusive - Contemporary Illustration Part 3, © GESTALTEN, 2010

Book Information
Title: Illusive. Contemporary Illustration Part 3
Editors: R. Klanten, H. Hellige
Language: English
Price: € 44,00 / $ 65,00 / £ 40,00
Format: 24 x 30 cm
Features: 340 pages, full colour, linen hardcover, reading ribbon
ISBN: 978-3-89955-250-8

Release: October 2009

See more at Gestalten

Filed under: Reviews, illustration |

Sam Weber

Extra Life, Made Flesh, Sam Weber

Sam Weber was born in Alaska, and grew up in Deep River Ontario, Canada. After attending the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary, he moved to
New York to pursue illustration and attend graduate school at The School of Visual Arts. He now works in his studio in Brooklyn.

Bell & Ross, Wall Street Journal Magazine, Sam Weber

The Guardsman by Ferenc Molnár, Sam Weber, Soulpepper Theatre, 2009 Season: A series of posters for Toronto’s Soulpepper Theatre. Art Director: Anthony Swaneveld. PIctured above, Antigone by Sophocles.

See more here

Filed under: Art, Briefing Room |

Michael Steele, at Gorker Gallery

Phone Home, Michael Steele

Gorker Gallery is proud to present ‘Accumulating’ by Michael Steele, Michael’s work has been making serious waves in the USA leading up to the end of last year with features on Juxtapoze.com and NotCot.org, his work in the HE-MAN show at gallery 1988 in LA flew off the wall and with some new T-designs on the popular Tank Theory website.

Steam Ball, Michael Steele

Michael Steele’s mixed media pop surrealist cluster paintings convey personal and culturally based themes. These themes are explored by sourcing and combining visual icons from the artist’s generation, referencing the development of computer game culture, the internet phenomenon, the evolution of a multicultural consumer society, advertising and the emergence of graffiti art.
By fusing recognizable visual elements together in random composition, the works engage the viewer to respond to each combination. The works are rich in communication, obvious and hidden messages lie within each explosion of visual stimulus to interpret.

Invaders, Michael Steele

As an artist based out of Melbourne Australia, Steele has always had a keen interest in anything creative from a very young age. Over the years Michael has explored different mediums such as illustration, oil paintings and digital media, fine tuning his artistic abilities in each. Over the past year Michael has created works as a part of the ‘Cluster’ series, exploring various styles techniques and mediums. “A Cluster to me resembles images or objects grouped together to form something larger. I feel this give images or objects a stronger presence, rather than being displayed by themselves, creating a much more dynamic experience for the viewer.” – Michael Steele

Nature’s Return, Michael Steele

Show runs until Sunday 21 February
Gorker Gallery opening hours:
3pm - 7:00pm Wednesday - Friday
11am - 7:00pm Saturday & Sunday
Wine Tasting Wednesday 17 february 6:00pm - 7:00pm
(Brought to you by Austins wine)

See Michael Steele’s here & Gorker’s website

Filed under: Art, Briefing Room, Events, Galleries, illustration |

Pedro Ramos

Pedro Ramos

Pedro Ramos was born in Madeira Island in 1982. He currently lives and works in Sydney. His work is based on the intimacy and proximity to the subjects portrayed. However, in his work, everyday situations are reinterpreted leaving the viewer with the freedom to create his/her own narrative. Through personal documentary technique, his photos celebrate life, youth, beauty and freedom.

Pedro Ramos

Pedro Ramos

See more of Perdo’s work here

Filed under: Briefing Room, Photography |

Stefan Glerum

Rednose Distrikt, Stefan Glerum

Growing up as a healthy young Dutch boy, Stefan Glerum (Amsterdam, 1983) developed an interest in old paper, second hand records and extremely large trousers. To give shape to these fascinations Glerum started to work as an assistent to Dutch master of the clear line Joost Swarte. Glerum studied illustration at the Academy St. Joost and works as a freelance illustrator and designer, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Bar Zoekt Vrouw, Stefan Glerum

See more here

Filed under: Briefing Room, Graphic Design, illustration |

Daniel Carlsten

Posters deVille - Posters for the many events and concepts of one of Stockholm’s loveliest restaurants, Daniel Carlsten

After having spent the last five years as an art director, graphic designer and illustrator at the creative collective Acne, Daniel Carlsten recently launched his own business. His main interests and expertise lie in visual identities and graphic design of printed matter such as books, catalogues, stationaries, posters, invitations and packaging.

Acne Paper Invite - For the celebration of Acne Paper’s 5th issue — the elegant issue, Daniel Carlsten

Daniel was awarded the scholarship for promising talent (Kycklingstipendiet) by The Swedish Association of Communication Agencies in 2006; In 2007, he served on the design jury of Guldägget; he have been nominated and awarded in Guldägget, Kolla and OneShow, and has recieved diplomas from the Danish and Swedish business press for work within graphic design and illustration; he has lectured at Beckmans College of Design, Forsbergs School of Advertising and Design and HDK (School of Design & Crafts).

Acne gift boxes and carriers - A series of boxes and carriers uniting various expressions derived from Acne’s garments and creative studio, Daniel Carlsten

See more of Daneil’s work here

Filed under: Briefing Room, Graphic Design |

DINES

MTV, Dines

DINES is a London based graphic designer. He received his BA Hons in Graphic and Typography Design at Southampton Solent University in 2007 before pursuing a career in interactive design. Since graduating he has set a firm client and fan base in the city of Southampton. He is currently active as founder /creative director of award-winning digital design group Studio Blup. Aside from his commitments with Blup he specializes in typography, identity and publication design for print and screen working with a variety of clients in the entertainment and arts industries.

NIKE Flow, Dines

See more work here

Filed under: Briefing Room, Graphic Design |

Brandon Els

Brandon Els is currently finishing his final semester of Graphic Design at the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, as well as working as a freelance artist for numerous companies around Australia. Brandon has completed some stunning work for clients such as: Liquid Malisha, FYVE Snowboards, Billabong and Element.

Liquid Malisha, Brandon Els

Ride Snowboards, Brandon Els
See more here

Filed under: Briefing Room, Graphic Design |

Teppei Takahashi

Aside, Teppei Takahashi

Teppei Takahashi work’s as a part of SONAR (creative team) in Tokyo, as a photographer and graphic designer since 2009. Takahashi’s interest in photography began during university: producing work which describes his central themes of: “real”, “life” and “mirror”. By taking photographs Takahashi believes it’s “one way to make sure that I have a link to someone, to a place…so I would like to keep that atmosphere: smell, light, and time in my works”.

Natural Life, Teppei Takahashi

See more here, and also on Flickr

Filed under: Briefing Room, Photography |

Semi-Permanent, Sydney, 2010

March 2010 sees Australia’s design community come together for the 8th year for Semi-Permanent in Sydney. With a week-long celebration of all things aesthetic, Semi-Permanent goes above and beyond, bringing together the design community across a number of conferences, workshops, exhibitions and after parties.
Not to be outdone by last year’s roll call, the boys at Semi-Permanent have secured a raft of talented speakers spanning the Art, Film, Illustration, Photography, Visual Effects and Motion Graphics worlds with everything from Sesame Street to Gucci and Victoria’s Secret. Set to inspire and educate, world renowned artists and specialists in their field will come together to share their knowledge, excitement and passion for their work and impart wisdom and insight on Sydney’s creative population.

Held on the 19 and 20 March at the Sydney Exhibition Centre, speakers for the 2010 Sydney event include:
Travis Millard and Mel Kadel – LA based couple whose work is admired and sought after by collectors and brands across the globe.
Jessica Hische – designer, illustrator and photographer who has worked with the likes of Victoria’s Secret, American Express, Wired Magazine and Penguin Books.
Jill Greenberg – photographer whose work has appeared in the likes of Harper’s, Wired, Time Weekly and The New Yorker and whose 2006 End Times series provoked much interest and criticism across the world.
Ashley Gilbertson – Australian born, New York based photo-journalist whose most recent book, ‘Whisky, Tango, Foxtrot’, details his experiences with the Iraq war.
Jasper Goodall – highly influential graphic artist who has worked with the likes of Gucci, Nike, Adidas and Dazed and Confused.
T World – the guys from T World, the Australian magazine focused on T-shirt culture, who have recently collaborated with Sesame Street on the program’s 40th anniversary.
Tin&Ed - Melbourne based design team whose work spans a host of disciplines including graphic design, illustration, collage, photography and motion graphics. They have worked with the likes of Nike, BMW, MTV-UK and The Australian Ballet.
Craig Schuftan – Author and broadcaster based in Sydney whose books include The Culture Club (2007) and Hey! Nietzsche! Leave Them Kids Alone (2009). Craig recently assisted with curating the popular ‘The 80’s Are Back’ exhibition at The Powerhouse Museum and has been presenting The Culture Club on triple j, a radio segment about the history of art and ideas in rock and roll, since 2002. Craig’s involvement marks a new style of Semi-Permanent speakers, coming from a historical and philosophical angle rather than a personal journey through an individual’s work.

More information on the event, here.

Filed under: Briefing Room, Events |

Alyssa Monks

Soft 2009, 16×24, oil on panel

Alyssa’s paintings are of a representational narrative genre. She portrays a specific place and time with simultaneous empathy and detachment. Monks is part of the Continuing Education Faculty at the New York Academy of Art, where she teaches Flesh Painting. She currently is also an instructor at the Montclair State University.

She earned her BA from Boston College and an MFA in painting from the New York Academy of Art, Graduate School of Figurative Art. At the New York Academy of Art, Alyssa studied with Vincent Desiderio, Jenny Saville, Wade Schuman, Brenda Zlamany, John Jacobsmeyer, Harvey Citron, Deane Keller, Edward Schmidt, Steven Assael, and Lisa Bartolozzi. She additionally studied at Montclair State College, the New School, and Lorenzo de’Medici in Florence. She completed an artist in residency at Fullerton College. Alyssa has been awarded the Grant for Painting from the Elizabeth Greensheilds Foundation three times and has had recent solo shows in New York and Anaheim, California.

Wake 2009, 40×60, oil on linen

Alyssa is currently represented by Sarah Bain Gallery in Anaheim and DFN Gallery in New York. Her work is available at David Klein Gallery in Michigan and Hespe Gallery in San Fransisco.

See more of Alyssa’s work here.

Filed under: Art, Briefing Room |

Lisa Congdon

Day 1, A Collection A Day 2010, Lisa Congdon, www.collectionaday2010.blogspot.com, www.lisacongdon.com

San Francisco illustrator and fine artist Lisa Congdon was born and raised in both upstate New York and Northern California where she grew to love the trees and animals that surrounded her. That love is now expressed most intensely through her paintings and drawings. Lisa spends most of her time making art in her studio in San Francisco with one hand and simultaneously playing fetch with her 10 pound Chihuahua, Wilfredo, with the other. Lisa’s work has been shown in numerous cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. Her story and work have been featured in countless print magazines and art and design blogs.

Day 6, A Collection A Day 2010, Lisa Congdon, www.collectionaday2010.blogspot.com, www.lisacongdon.com

Town 2,  Lisa Congdon, www.lisacongdon.com
See more of Lisa’s work here, and the Collection blog here

Filed under: Art, Briefing Room, illustration |