Stains of Modernity

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Stains of Modernity explores the post-industrial and Neo-Liberal agendas where ideas and people become homogenized for aesthetics and convenience. But the people want more; in studios and back alleyways, the people are rebelling. This exhibition uses materials forms and textures which are the epitome of modernity while resisting against the synthetic matrix which is an accumulation of the boom, bust and lust for the forever new. Aerosol is a paradox, making it the perfect tool for resistance, the single biggest weapon against alienation and the stagnation associated with the ever urbanizing environment. One person and a can is all it takes to leave a political statement or a subcultural communication with like minded participants. For too long Hip Hop culture has been exploited by marketing gurus for global profits. Stains of Modernity is paint on walls and sculptural forms emerging from the underground; its a response to the built environment and the bureaucracy which dictates our existence.

 

 

High Modernity, Post Modernity, Post Modernism, Post-Post Modernism, these are the times we live in. Pontificating about art and high culture will only go so far, it doesn’t address the bigger issues and is inaccessible to the wider population. Art is more than oils on canvas which are hung in well lit and over funded galleries. Graffiti embodies the notion of doing art as an act of expression as opposed to the more palatable and tamed visuals of the gallery market. Graffiti is more than just paint on walls from some young hoodlums. It’s a part of a culture and a way of life. Humans have been making their marks on walls from the beginning of history and the typography scrawled over the urban environment is just an extension of this.

This Hip Hop culture is evolving over time and is a part of the urban identity. It is this identity which creates a new history and a new narrative. Hip Hop grew out of the disquiet of New York and the American streets during the 1970s. It’s often associated with crime and violence, but true Hip Hop is anything but violent. It’s about battling to be the best and earning respect from your peers by honing your craft and perfecting your style. It’s peaceful, respectful and skillful. Flash-forward to now, and Australians have their own take on Hip Hop. It’s more about mates, larrikins and beer. The music talks more about politics and BBQs than bitches and homies, but there’s still a good dose of competition and testosterone. And graffiti is just one of the four elements which is celebrated and elevated by this competition. By eradicating graffiti and aerosol art from our streets, marginalizing it and calling it a crime is sheer ignorance.

 

The beginning of modernity saw immense change and the industrialization of the Western world. This industrial change is responsible for the creation of the aerosol can and the colours which are now accessible and neatly packaged. Modernity also reinforced the bureaucratic and hierarchical social structures which seek to marginalize and denigrate anything with unique thought, thus making graffiti the best weapon against this concrete and urbane landscape. Graffiti is as old as time itself, and now the tools are pre-packaged and readily available.  

Studio Buddha

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I began this mural in my studio in Murwillumbah nearly six months ago. I don’t normally work so slow, however I’ve travelled far and wide while Buddha patiently waited for me to finish him. The omnipotent Buddha is an image which has been replicated and celebrated all over the world, and I hope this version brings inspiration and tranquility. 

Local Artist Completes Ten Murals Over Three Weeks in Central Queensland.

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Local Artist, Sauce returned home this week after his third extensive tour of Central Queensland this year. 

 

The tour funded by Anglicare Central Queensland, provided the area with ten murals and eight stencil art workshops in various schools and community organisations. 

 

Sauce said of his experience “I think the first demonstration at Central Highlands Multicultural Festival was the highlight of my trip. People were lining up to grab a canvas and the atmosphere was great. I really enjoyed meeting people from all different backgrounds’.

 

Sauce has a studio in the CBD of Murwillumbah which is open to the public and he will hold an exhibition Stains of Modernity on the 28th of September.


Central Queensland Tour

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Did you hear the news? I’m famous in Central Queensland! During August and September I spent two and a half weeks traveling and painting my way through Central Queensland. During that time, I managed to complete ten murals and assist students to complete fifty-five canvasses which used twenty-two litres of acrylic paint, fifty-two spray cans and sixty nozzles. 

After a stop over at Ink Addict in Tara  I headed onto Emerald where I smashed an aerosol art demonstration at Central Highlands Multicultural Festival. I squeezed in an illusion style floor mural for the team at Anglicare CQ in the first few days, before running stencil workshops in Emerald, Rubyvale and Springsure. During the tour, I completed murals at Capella State High, Springsure State School, Blackwater State High, the Emerald Neighborhood Centre and the Emerald Kick Wall.

As usual, it was an absolute blast to work with the Anglicare CQ team. They always look after me and it’s great to see the young people enjoy different art forms. There is far too much to show for one blog post, so here is a taste of some of the completed works. 

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Springsure State School requested a cafe themed mural and a Welcome sign. 

 

Blackwater State High Students show Effort, Responsibility, Safety and Respect.

We paid tribute to the ANZACs with a mural at Capella State High School. Lest We Forget.

 

Springsure Stingers Swimming Club

 

Local Artist Opens Studio To The Public

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Local Artist Holds an Exhibition in his Murwillumbah Studio  

On the 28th of September at 7 pm, Sauce will open his first curated Showcase, Stains of Modernity in his personal studio, The Sauce Studio.

 

Stains of Modernity is a response to the built environment and will feature Sauce’s ideas and concepts by using aerosol, repurposed objects and sculptural forms.

 

Sauce said of the Showcase, “As an independent artist, it’s always a challenge to match my inspiration with commercial success. Especially with aerosol art, as there are so many restrictions with logistics and bureaucratic procedures. For me, Stains of Modernity sums it all up”.

 

Sauce is currently on his third tour of Central Queensland this year and is completing murals and workshops in Emerald, Springsure, Blackwater and Tara. 

 

All are welcome to attend opening night. To RSVP, please email admin@thesaucestudio.com.au . 

 

 

Sauce’s work can be seen @ /

 

 

Ainslie Rose

Communications and Arts Development Manager

The Sauce Studio

Shop 4/15 CNR of Proudfoots LN & Commercial RD

Murwillumbah

02 6672 1929

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shop Local

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I’m going to interrupt the usual updates about aerosol art (But only for a minute) to talk about the importance of shopping local.

 

As a small business in a regional town, I cannot stress the importance of shopping local. Sure, I love my iPhone, iPad, Ipadmini and all the other consumer gadgets associated with multinational companies. Who doesn’t love some easily outdated and expensive fancy piece of technology? But sometimes, we need to think more about the consequences of our purchases. 

 

When you buy a coffee from your local cafe or pick up the paper from the corner store your money stays in your town. If you care about local jobs and a healthy economy, you need to look deeper than balancing some ephemeral government black-hole blow-out. A weekly splurge at the local bakery on carrot cake or an old fashioned sponge can be the difference between ballet lessons for their children (With the local dance instructor, of course) or going without.

 

Getting to know your local delicatessen or grocer isn’t just about spending more money on things you don’t need. It pays to be mates with the locals. Just like your local hairdresser will have all the good gossip, the local businesses in town will have all of the in-knowledge when it comes to great deals, bargains and specials. Some places even have cross promotional deals, or if the business is feeling generous, you might just get Mates Rates. 

 

In our local town Murwillumbah, we have some great cafes, coffee shops, clothing stores, hair and nail salons, stationary shops and printing places. Support your local, because they support you. 

The Benefits of a Mural (Part Three)

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Welcome to the final installment of the Benefits of a Mural posts. In this post, I want to talk about the versatility of aerosol art. 

 

Aerosol art is not limited to walls, graffiti styles or large murals. The skills and knowledge associated with mural art and aerosol art can be utilized to create innovative stage backdrops, set design and feature walls for the home. By using detailed cutouts, large canvases and some illusionary details, the ‘almost mural’ can provide a feature which is unmatched by stickers or cardboard-cutouts. 

 

Event signage and temporary instillations are another great way to incorporate aerosol and mural art at your event or venue. The process of aerosol art is one based on speed, making it an ideal concept for works or projects which have short timeframes. 

 

Finally, the aerosol art is a quick and cost effective method of adding colour and difference to your home, your event or business. Contact us today to organize a commission or consultation.