Beautiful Losers brought together artists who probably didn't sit in the capital G Gallery so easily before. They were artists who skated, who were interested in folk art, who were brought up on a diet of graffiti, punk-rock and a general disdain for the "institutions". They were mostly self taught and they carved their own rules about busting up genres in art and popular culture.
Joseph Allen Shea has had his hand in the mix for a long time with his curatorial work with Monster Children Gallery. He understands the way that the street and the gallery can collide. And he definitely understood the influence of the
Beautiful Losers school of thought.
His latest project is an epic one which sees the best of the best artists that some might call "transitionists" showing their mixed up, fresh take on the world out at Penrith Regional Gallery.
From a loose group that flaunt the white-cube rules, that cross-pollinate graphic design with graffiti with fine art with music, that take lessons from outsider art – this is a celebration of friendships, kinships and mood as much as stylistic pigeon-holing.
The artworks will be presented in and around the gallery space and foyers, as well as a public art sign-writing project in St Mary’s created by legendary US artist Stephen Powers (ESPO). The exhibition includes painting, text, works on paper, video, sound, installation, photography and a room of ephemeral works of art and paraphernalia including films and documentaries, zines, books, toys, skateboards, surfboards, T-shirts, shoes and clothing designed by the artists. The exhibition will be accompanied by a 120 page catalogue designed by Jonathan Zawada.
This is an exhibition that is worth the hike. You have until mid-November to make the trek. Do it.
Disorder Disorder – Ulterior Motives in Contemporary Art
Including 10 international artists and 10 Australian artists, all put together by Sydney based curator Joseph Allen Shea:
Jacob Ciocci (Paper Rad), French, Tomoo Gokita, Mark Gonzales, David Griggs, Misha Hollenbach, Brendan Huntley, Chris Johanson, Anthony Lister, Stefan Marx, Marcus Oakley, Mike Giant, Conor O’Brien, Shannon Peel, Stephen Powers, Ricky Swallow, Ed Templeton, Mark Whalen/ Kill Pixie, Oscar Wright and Jonathan Zawada.
Until 14th November at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, Emu Plains, NSW.
More at
thevine.com.au.