The B-Boy exhibition brings together 3 years of Breaking (Breakdance) photography by Conan Whitehouse, a Brisbane based photographer who has been traveling the world photographing the world’s best dancers on his documentary journey. “My aim is to capture the style and aesthetic of each individual Breaker and make a historical record of that element of style.”

The exhibit will be shown in collaboration with acclaimed aerosol artists, SOFLES, YUINHUZ and BENNY GLOUCESTER, representing the link between the elements of Hip Hop culture worldwide.

Conan Whitehouse is a B-boy turned photographer and for the past three years has been traveling throughout Australia, Germany, France, Korea and the USA photographing for Red Bull and World Championship events.

WHAT: BBOY EXHIBITION
WHEN: Opening Night Thursday 13th May 6pm – exhibit runs until 27th May
RSVP/ENQUIRIES: 420gallery [Email address: 420gallery #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ]
WHERE: Fortwenty Gallery, The Fort Arts Hub, 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

For media enquiries contact Peter Gorrie (curator) at 0415 779 556 or
Conan Whitehouse (artist) at 0431 292 387
High resolution images associated with the exhibition are available on request.

This evocative exhibition of new works poses many questions – Is there light in dark matter?
Can love and hate live together in the same apartment?
And while it may never be understood, this show must be seen!

‘Colour: A Black & White Exhibition’ opens Friday 26 February at 7pm and runs until 11 March 2010 at The Fort Arts Hub, 57 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley. For more information please contact art [Email address: art #AT# thefort.org.au - replace #AT# with @ ] or phone curator Pete Gorrie at 0415 779 556.

Hope to see you there!

After the underground success of their We Are Everywhere EP put them on the map, it was the full length All I Have To Offer Is My Own Confusion (produced by Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory fame), that cemented FIREWORKS position as one of the leaders of the current pop punk boom.

Having spent the better part of the last three years on the road – touring with everyone from Paramore and Four Year Strong through to Polar Bear Club and the aforementioned New Found Glory – FIREWORKS live show will be one of the most memorable performances of 2010.

Joining them will be Sydney’s own HEROES FOR HIRE, who will be coming off an appearance at the Sydney leg of the 2010 Soundwave Festival, not to mention the slew of impressive supports (The Ataris, All Time Low, Mest) the band has already notched up. HEROES FOR HIRE will be releasing their long-awaited debut The Life Of The Party in early April!

- Tickets on sale Wednesday February 17th -

FRIDAY APRIL 16TH – THE FORT, BRISBANE (AA)
Doors at 6pm
Tickets available from Oztix on 1300 762 545 or www.oztix.com.au as well as Kill The Music, Rockinghorse, Skinny’s, Butterbeats, Central Station, MoshPit, Music Mania, Sunflower, Cosmic, Bombay Rock, Cooly Hotel and The Great Northern Hotel

STRICTLY A DRUG & ALCOHOL FREE EVENT!

For additional information head to
www.destroyalllines.com
www.myspace.com/fireworks
www.myspace.com/heroesforhirerock

www.bluntmag.com.au
www.modlife.com/macbeth

For Fireworks media information and hi-resolution press shots head to
http://eastwest.ilgpress.com/fireworks/media

Each of the artists have been given a wall to prepare a feature piece consisting of many individual pieces (canvases) sold separately or as a set. The artists have also begun collaborating on some works, which they have been preparing at The Fort over the past week.

Brisbane artist and designer Bliggs says, “The challenge is working on an entire piece and ensuring you focus on the individual canvases as well. I am enjoying working with so many great artists, we have been sharing ideas and techniques. I can’t wait to see the final result” he said.

Artist and curator Pete Gorrie (Yuin Huz) says, “Working in the same place gives us an opportunity to share ideas, as well as resources. I’m really excited about this concept and hope to make Fly on The Wall a regular event – but it will be hard to top this amazing roster of artists” he said.

The themes currently being explored include everything from fast food to landscapes, spiraling vortexes and rap lyrics. The group are using the latest range of Ironlak spray paints (major sponsors) as well as a variety of other mediums like paint pens, oils and even house paint!

The gallery is closed this week for preparations and has been transformed into a 24-hr workshop. The entire process is being filmed and clips will be up on Youtube and various blogs in the days to come. The show is already creating quite a stir amongst the curious passersby! It is unlikely these 6 incredible artists will work together like this again, it is definitely an exhibition not to be slept on.

DJ Tigermoth will spin tunes on the opening night, previewing some own new works from his sophomore album, to be released later this year. Mash up samurai Potato Master will also perform on the evening. Fly on The Wall opens Saturday 6 February at The Fort, 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, from 7pm. Look out for the “super-fly sunglasses” as you walk up Brunswick Street.

WHAT: FLY ON THE WALL #1 EXHIBITION
WHEN: Opening Night Saturday 6 February, 7pm
RSVP/ENQUIRIES: 420gallery [Email address: 420gallery #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ]
WHERE: Fortwenty Gallery, The Fort, 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

Enquiries contact Pete Gorrie (curator) at 0415 779 556 or Kel Timmons (publicity) at 0405 105 299.
High resolution images associated with the exhibition are available on request.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS-N-qLamRs.

Opening Night Friday 4 September, 6pm.  Love to see you there!

Besides the distance between them, one artist admitted the trio has overcome a long stint of disorientation and disorganisation. Now, finally the much anticipated exhibition is ready to share and they are all “just a little bit excited about it”.

While they are totally unique, each work in this exhibition conveys remarkable character and emotion.   Brisbane artist Nick Simpson said “My characters experience a fruit salad of emotions including joy, apathy, disgust, excitement and absolute boredom.”  I’m interested in creating a bizarre moment in time, as if captured on camera.  Drawing a photograph is the perfect way to make myself believe these moments actually happened and these people actually existed.” See also: engandchang.blogspot.com.

Self-professed ‘compulsive painter’ Claire Kurzmann says of her work, “Each canvas or paper is vast, colourful and detailed, just as individuals are.  I believe there is no candidate more intriguing then the most complex living structure; the human being. Using predominantly inks and acrylics I attempt to mirror my perception of those that have influenced or hindered me, whether I’ve met them or not -  strangers will  always hold the allure of mystery.” she said. See also: http://clairekurzmann.blogspot.com/

Lachlan Hansen, who has recently been nominated for a major art prize, said of his contribution to this exhibition, “My work attempts to familiarize visually with the battles that go on in my head from day to day, things we all face, insecurity, ambition, expectation, the warmth of others – and the lack thereof. I’m enjoying experimenting with colour, tone, line and spacial tension.”  See also: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cantsleepstill

WHAT: IDOL TIMES EXHIBITION
WHEN: Opening Night Friday 4 September, 7pm
RSVP/ENQUIRIES: 420gallery [Email address: 420gallery #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ]
WHERE: Fortwenty Gallery, The Fort Arts Hub, 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

For media enquiries contact Peter Gorrie (curator) at 0415 779 556 or Nick Simpson (artist) at 0435 040 551
High resolution images associated with the exhibition are available on request.

Please join us for an opening evening on Friday 13th of November 2009 from 6pm – Late.
For more information please visit: www.ruffoart.com or email – joshrufford [Email address: joshrufford #AT# hotmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ]

Download Flyer

We are seeking letters of support to assist us with our current ‘material change of use’ (or zoning) application with Council.

While our beautiful building was originally built for, and zoned as “multi-purpose use”, this is overriden by it’s inclusion (only just) in the Spring Hill local plan (it’s really quite confusing but basically stipulates we can only use the site for offices currently).

With thanks to Steffan Town Planning, who are providing services in-kind, we have now applied for “Centre Activities” use, including Shop, Office, Restaurant, Convention Centre and Community Facilities – which allows for all the wonderful activities/services The Fort has (or will have) to offer!

We are working day and night to ensure this application is approved, including making major noise-reduction measures, preparing various building documentation (that should already exist), managing heritage conservation, addressing new building codes and of course paying considerable fees for all this.

If you are interested in supporting our cause, we would be truly grateful for a letter of support that addresses some or all of the matters hereunder.  Alternatively, download this document – ZONING letters of support which is a template with various content that you may wish to use.   It doesn’t have to be long or drawn out, and of course please don’t feel obliged to do this – I understand it’s a busy time for everyone!

The letter of support should be forwarded directly to The Fort Arts Hub Inc. (the applicant) and NOT Council, addresseed as follows:

Brisbane City Council
C/o- The Fort Arts Hub Inc.
57 Brunswick Street
FORTITUDE VALLEY  QLD  4006

Salutation: “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”

The first paragraph should give some indication of who you are and your general position in life.  The letter should indicate that it is given in relation to the application for “Centre Activities” use (including Shop, Office, Restaurant, Convention Centre and Community Facilities) for 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley.

Your letter might concentrate on the following:-

1. What you know about The Fort, how you have participated in it, or how you might like to participate;
2. The importance of the project (The Fort) for the community;
3. The importance of the project for Brisbane’s arts and culture;
4. The state of Brisbane’s arts and culture;
5. The ability of the project managers (The Fort Arts Hub Inc., Pete, Kel and Will) to undertake a project of this scale;
6. Any other matters you think appropriate.

One to four paragraphs would be fine, or more – totally up to you.  We will be sending the first round of letters we receive back to Council on Friday this week, and again the week after.

Thank you so much in advance, for your support.

Kelly Timmons
Director / Project Manager

PS Members! Your cards are finally ready to be sent out, they will be valid for a whole year upon receiving, and you can expect some exciting discounts and benefits in the future – thank you for your patience!

DOWNLOAD – ZONING letters of support (word doc)

Titled Ruminate, this refreshing group show will be the first of many exhibitions to be held, not in The Fort’s gallery space, but in the building’s huge 200m2 converted performance space. FORTwenty Gallery curate the exhibition which will feature a diversity of well known and emerging artists such as David Hayes, Fintan Magee, Jeroo (Germany), Mags, Yuin Huz, Sean Campbell, Nathaniel Cliff, and include sculpture by Paul Haig and video art by Nicola Parsons.  Visitors to the exhibition will be truly impressed by this fresh and exciting fusion of contemporary works.

The Ruminate exhibition will officially open the 2nd Annual BARI Festival, an initiative founded by Jugglers Art Space, aimed at providing a festival platform and acknowledgment to the creative contribution offered by artist-run-initiatives, such as The Fort. Brisbane is now home to several well established Artist Run Initiatives each working within their own unique artistic frameworks and providing services for artists and members of the public.

The Fort is a collective of vibrant young artists all working out of the Fortitude Valley’s historic Bell Bros. building.  The Fort aims to provide an innovative, community approach to the creation and presentation of art, and grow many artistic endeavors drawing on collective resources, skills and networks, with a special focus on environmental and community sustainability.

In celebration of this inspiring exhibition, festival and art space, local hip hop crew The Kelly Gang will be performing on the night alongside local producer and DJ Tigermoth.

The Ruminate exhibition opens Thursday 1 October at 6pm, level 2, 57 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley (The Fort).  The exhibition and BARI Festival program runs until 10 October 2009.  For more information visit http://barifest.blogspot.com/.

Launch night: Thursday 8 October | 6-9pm
Venue: THE FORT | 57 Brunswick Street (Cnr Water St), Fortitude Valley

Amanda Heelan’s new series ARMOUR explores the ideas surrounding hand beaded creations, resulting in a bold and striking new collection. ARMOUR combines wearable classics and heavily embellished, ornate pieces and features necklaces, earrings, brooches and rings. All items will be for sale at this one off event.

RSVP essential: Please email by amandeheelan [Email address: amandeheelan #AT# gmail.com - replace #AT# with @ ] 4 October 2009