The District 9 Exhibition is a collaborative showcase of exceptional new works by Brisbane’s most prolific graffiti artist Sofles and fine artist Fintan Magee.  On Saturday 17 July the pair will stage an unprecedented 2-storey, multi-space exhibition at The Fort Arts Hub in Fortitude Valley, spanning the walls of the centre’s ground level art gallery and penthouse artist studios, infamously known as “District 9”.

The one-off, one-night-only instillation throughout the entire top floor of The Fort will double as a farewell celebration for the space which, until recently, hosted Fintan and Sofles’ art studios.  The pair, who shared the studios with three other artists for the past 12-months, will pack up their paint and easels and transform the space into a unique gallery environment that offers up a rare and exciting glimpse into the productive exploits of their creative spaces.

“It’s been inspiring seeing the space empty again, like a fresh canvas.  There are different rooms on the top floor, as well as the gallery spaces, which will all have different themes” Fintan said.

While the upstairs component of the exhibition is only for opening night, the works will overflow into the gallery for a full two-week stint, open to the public every day until Thursday 29 July.   The creative duo have been busily preparing new work to make the most of the extensive wall space and meet their fast approaching deadline.

Sofles, who was labeled a ‘Graffiti King’ by local newspapers, TV news & current affairs following a conviction for illegal graffiti in 2009, is looking forward to showcasing a new style that he has been developing over the past year through extensive work on commissioned murals, works on canvas and tattooing.   Having turned over a new leaf, he continues to work hard to raise revenue through his blossoming art career to help pay off the nearly $15,000 he was fined.

In the past year Sofles has won a slew of competitions and been commissioned by corporate giants like Myer, Footlocker, Adidas, Tooheys, Super Cheap Auto and more – proving not only his worth as an artist, but also the undeniable popularity for graffiti as an art form in general.   Recently Sofles was commissioned to paint a wall outside of Brisbane’s Magistrates Court – the same court house in which he was recently trialed and convicted for illegal graffiti.

“It’s funny how one day you’re in court getting fined for writing your name and soon after they pay you to write your name on their court house to make it look nice” mused Sofles.

International muralist and highly-regarded fine artist Fintan Magee, whose creative output follows a more “traditional” path, has worked on large scale commissions in London, Rotterdam, Vienna and Brisbane and has showed in various group and solo exhibitions and competitions across Australia.  He has a B.A in Fine Arts and currently works as a designer and illustrator, as well as regular commissioned artworks and public murals.   For this exhibition Fintan presents oil on linen paintings, digital prints and installation work.

Fintan describes his new work as “a visual circus of scattered imagery and styles, drawing inspiration from advertising, nature, street culture and local architecture.  My new paintings aim to transport the viewer beyond mundane routines and expectations, into a world of unexpected beauty and chaotic balance, highlighting the extraordinary nature of our everyday existence” he said.

The Fort invites you to soak up the hype surrounding these two well travelled and seasoned local artists, and share in the transition from their inspiring creative space and colourful period of inspired creativity, with an exclusive peek at their profound new works.

BYO (donation entry)

Special guest DJs Rola D & Potato Master (plus more to be announced)

WHEN: Opening Night Saturday 17 July 2010, 6 – 10pm, donation entry (BYO) (catering, non-alcoholic beverages supplied)

EXHIBITION DATES: Saturday 17 July – Thursday 29 July

WHERE: The Fort Arts Hub, 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

See also:

www.sofles.com

www.fintanmagee.com

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134929553203867

Sofles.com

Fintanmagee.com

MEDIA RELEASE

Mini Masterpiece Exhibition

Over 100 miniature canvases from 40+ local & International artists

Big names and small artworks make up this bite-sized collection debuting to the public at Brisbane’s cutting edge artist-run space The Fort Arts Hub in Fortitude Valley from 11 – 23 June 2010.

With a huge line up of artists working on tiny canvases, the mini masterpieces show promises to be a lot of fun and an absolute eye-full for observers in what is sure to be one of the largest mini exhibition Brisbane has ever seen.

Curator & displaying artist Yuin Huz has spent the past few months spreading the word and extending invitation to dozens of top-shelf artists of all styles and backgrounds to participate in this novel show.

“It’s about bringing artists together and giving them an opportunity to showcase their talent, which is what The Fort’s all about” Yuin Huz says,

“Many of the artists were expecting to paint to a particular theme, but I think as long it’s on a miniature canvas on a tiny little easel it will fit with the rest of the work. That is the theme!”

“I try to think up creative, unusual themes for each show I curate. Although it’s been a lot of work to coordinate, the mini masterpieces show seemed like a great way to bring together and expose a whole host of emerging talent alongside established artists. It also gives art buyers the opportunity to snap up amazing pieces for under $100.”

The Mini Masterpieces exhibition features a great diversity of emerging artists as well as rising stars like Steve Bowerman, Shida, Sofles, Georg, Saikoe, RudeKat, Guido, Carmen Olsen, Benny Gloucester and many, many others.

More information email art [Email address: art #AT# thefort.org.au - replace #AT# with @ ]

The Fort Arts Hub Ltd. is seeking expressions of interest from professional artists and arts-based organisations looking for medium to long-term, affordable space within The Fort Arts Hub – an innovative new “creative hub”. Centrally located at 57 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley ‘The Fort’ (the old Bell Bros. Building) is made up of ten leasable spaces – four of which have recently become available!

This includes:

• Cafe or Office Space
• Art Gallery (preffered) or other retail
• Film/Photography Stuido/Office
• Artist Studios/Offices

Download the attached PDF Document for more information about these great spaces - 100413_Expressions of Interest (click link to download)

Tuesday 01 June 2010 doors open 5:30pm

This is an all ages event. * Intoxicated persons will not be admitted * No thongs or steel cap boots * The venue reserves the right to refuse admission to any person * Dangerous behaviour including Crowd Surfing, Stage Diving, Moshing and Violent Dancing is not allowed and will result in your immediate removal from this venue.

Tickets selling fast from

www.moshtix.com.au

BANDS:

For Our Hero
Heroes For Hire
Max Wilkinson & The Sunny Side Up
The Monster Goes Rawrr
A Sleepless Melody
The Polaroid People
When The World
Because They Can
The Sleeping Lions

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.

All ages show Sept 10th @ THE  FORT

Joining them on this Pop/Punk whip around Australia will be acts:

Heroes For Hire, Tonight Alive and Skyway.

Tickets onsale Friday!

For more info + Ticketing info = myspace.com/collateralmanage