Tasmazia International Mural Fest

It was fantastic to compete in my third consecutive International Mural Fest in Sheffield, Tasmania. People of all ages came to view the paint off in Mural Park over the week long event. The support from visitors and locals provided a great atmosphere which led to an enjoyable and productive week. I drew from inspirations such as Tasmazia and World of Marbles to create a mural titled “Ravenous Machine”. It was great to work amongst the calibre of artists from accross Australia and abroad. To view the nine artists murals check the Mural Fest website as it has all the action from the mini murals, progress shots and much more. Read more

Christian Competes at International Level.

Local artist Christian Griffiths is currently in Sheffield, Tasmania competing in Tasmazia’s International Mural Fest. This is his third year as a finalist, and he is currently contesting the title of winner, as last year he won the Judge’s Award category.

Tasmazia’s International Mural Fest attracts over 10,000 visitors to the area and is held annually in Mural Park at Sheffield. The International Mural Fest lasts for one week, starting on Easter Sunday and requires the nine competing finalists to complete one mural. The murals are all 2100mm x

4800mm and the inspiration for the murals are based on a poem. This years poem Food Bowl “The golden bloom of fertility lies on the land/ And feeds us with flavour” was written by Lorraine McNeair and provided the artists with a broad range of ideas to draw from. Christian’s mural Ravenous Machine depicts farming machinery taking over the bucolic landscape.

Christian said he “really enjoyed traveling to Tasmania to compete at the international level. There are some great artists here and it is a privilege to work with the high standard some of my fellow competitors”. Christian began his professional artistic career over a decade ago and hasn’t looked back. The winner will be announced at 3 P.M. Tuesday on the 10th April 2012. His work can be viewed on his website www.aerograffix.com or https://www.facebook.com/ aerograffix

Emerging Technologies

Emerging Technologies is a an artwork which uses acrylic on printed canvas created by Sauce to express the artist’s inner most thoughts and insights towards technologies, modernity and art. The graffiti styled lettering created by paintbrush could be viewed as an artwork alone. The photography of the old farm utility could also be a stand alone art work, however combining the two art forms is the embodiment of the themes which are expressed in this piece. The sharp, crisp and colourful edges of the lettering, bursting out of the old and now defunct water tank depicts how newer technologies are overlapping and outsmarting the outdated and ostracized cumbersome equipment. The futuristic technology is slightly smeared with mould which is indicative of  the age of both the lettering and the water tank. It suggests, this piece may have been slowly emerging over time, waiting for the right moment to strike out against civilization.  

The terms used to title this artwork are words which are now ubiquitous due to Think Tanks and Focus Groups. These have now become a part of our lexicon to express the newness and modern focus of our insatiable appetite for the latest toy. What Emerging Technologies  explains and depicts to the viewer is how these terms can be elevated beyond rhetoric and  explored in real and tangible terms. Specifically, the use of a pre-mediated photo and the planned lettering formations is an example of how graffiti can not only lift off the page due to an artistic effect, but also by contextulizing it within the two dimensional photographic form. Emerging Technologies aims to raise more questions than it answers by creating an artwork which expresses images which may be alien but yet have a certain relevance by depicting images of the known and familiar.

Update on 2012-09-02 21:18 by sauce

I am very excited to be selected for the Caldera Artfest with my entry Emerging Technoligies.

Caloundra Bambini

This week I spent four days in Caloundra, working on four different murals at Bambini ECD Caloundra. The walls were a specific part of the design of the childcare centre with each wall tying in a different theme which correlated with the activities provided by the facility. This concept allowed for the designs to be purpose built as opposed to an afterthought. Essence Property were great to work with and the staff were very encouraging. I was also able to check in with some of my older work in the neighborhood at Mooshka and I had an excellent dinner there. I had a lot of work to squeeze in over the past few days but I’m really happy with the outcome. I can’t wait to do some more purpose built walls in the future.

Birkdale State School

For the past week I have been working at Birkdale State School, where I have had the pleasure of painting murals on the undercover areas of the school. The principal was great to work with and allowed me create artworks which I am really happy with. There were two murals, one which was a beach theme and the other incorporated the school’s motto ‘Always Our Best’. Whilst painting, I was asked a myriad of questions from curious students and it was great to be received so well by the school. I am looking forward to visiting again soon.   

Serviceton South State School

Last week I spent five days at Serviceton South State School, where I painted four walls which were used to express a Celebration of Diversity and Culture. Each section has a different culture in relation to the theme and I had fun learning new ways to say ‘welcome’. This mural is on of many different creations I have had the pleasure of painting for the school. Looking foward to working there again in the future and munching more of the tasty sandwiches from the tuckshop. 

Redlands College

Earlier this week I visited Redlands College and spent the day delivering a series of talks, discussing career pathway opportunities in the arts and my experiences as a proffessional mural artist. During the lunchbreak I enjoyed the challenge of completing an aerosol art demonstration within a brief timeframe. I really enjoy demonstrations as it allows an opportunity to showcase techniques to a large audience.

Media Release 25/2/12

A mural located at Harris Street Wellington point costing more than $6000 has become the scene of debate and controversy as the current graffiti prevention methods have repeatedly failed. When this failure was brought to the attention of the City Infrastructure member Ann Marshall, Community Development Team members including Byron Shreeve and the Councilor for the area, Wendy Boglary the response was muted and ignorant of the problem. Further investigations into the matter show an incorrect approach towards the target audience and the subject matter of the mural are primarily to blame.

A letter dated, 9th February, written by the Community Safety Officer Byron Shreeve and signed by the Group Manager of Community and Cultural Services Greg Jensen indicates the Community Development Team no longer wishes to consult community members for expertise on graffiti prevention matters.

Christian Griffiths is a mural and aerosol artist, who has eighteen years experience, and until last year ran his business in Redland City creating murals as a method of graffiti prevention. In 2005, Christian was commissioned to create a mural at the Harris Street underpass which involved young people at risk of entering the Juvenile Justice system. Christian has worked with numerous other local councils, schools and youth organisations, including IN-SYNC and Boystown. On a variety of occasions Christian has offered his services for free or at a low cost as an artist or as a consultant to council to provide effective solutions about graffiti prevention in the Redland area and in recent years he has been repeatedly ignored or denied. This is problematic as council spends $135,000+ each year on graffiti removal and council minutes indicate council has as zero tolerance approach towards graffiti, but a Community Development approach to prevention.

Christian says “Its not about me or my art work. It’s about the people engaging with aerosol art and a lack of opportunity to do so in appropriate circumstances. This mural has completely missed the mark with any of the objectives. It hasn’t prevented graffiti, a wide target audience hasn’t been sought and the Expressions of Interest developed for the initiative wasn’t relevant or applicable for the situation. At every step of the process I informed Council of the associated risks with this project and now the rate-payers such as myself, will pay the ongoing price.”

See: Bayside Bulletin article “Cool tunnel Art” 21/7/05 page 26.

See council minutes for information detailing the costs associated with graffiti and other policy decisions regarding graffiti. 

Please feel free to contact either Ainslie or Christian for further comments or information regarding this topic. Original communications and further supporting documents can be provided on request.

Ainslie Meiklejohn-Griffiths

Publications Manager

www.aerograffix.com

ainslie.mg@gmail.com

Burringbar Botanic Gardens Nursery

Recently I have been busy with some local work and I had the pleasure of painting a trailer for Burringbar Botanic Gardens Nursery. As a public art practicioner I really enjoy the notion of taking art to the people and  this moving canvas is the epitome of this. The trailer can be seen at markets and events all over the East Coast of Australia stocked with an array of native flora. 

Update on 2013-07-23 06:04 by sauce

I have been kept busy developing a new logo to coincide with a recent name change. Burringbar Gardens Nursery are still helping you grow the best plants on earth.

Metallic Mayhem

There is no such thing as an RDO if your’e consumed by your passion. Making use of every available opportunity, Kosie and I whipped up a quick concept in Capalaba recently.