Cat town

Cat town, 2013

I haven't been able to update this blog with new works for a very long time.

Now that I have a moment I would like to introduce one of my prints Cat Town.

Like lots of people, I do have a soft spot for cats.

I did in fact name this blog after my ginger cat Rachel.

Cats inhabit most parts of the world in large numbers and are probably one of the most familiar of all animals to us.

I wanted to make familiar cats slightly unfamiliar by creating an army of them.
Like my other prints Gathering, a zine I Want More Rabbits!, and watercolour Surge I always fantasise imagining a society overthrown by small ordinary animals and things that we usually don’t find threatening. 

Also at the time of making a drawing for this print, I was listening to Haruki Murakami's audiobook 1Q84.

There is a made-up German story by him within 1Q84 called "Town of Cats" that really caught my attention. I listened to the story over and over. I actually even looked for this book online hoping that there is a book called Town of Cats.

A protagonist got into the deserted town, only to find cats coming to town and work after the sunset.

Despite his attempt to leave the town, there was no train that stoped at the station where he got off.

He then realised he was actually lost from the world we live in - there would not be any trains that come and take him back to the real world...

I couldn't help but look at my Rachel with a different point of view. 

Cat town, 2013 detail

Images of the Along the River

Edison, 2013

Here are some images from the Along the River series I made with Damon Kowarsky.

Please go to our website for all 14 prints in the suite.

I'm missing warm and sunny Mildura in cold Melbourne!

Contact

Night march

Rachel

Under the sea

Along the river,  zine

We've also made zines to accompany with the prints!
It's available at Sticky Institute in Melbourne.

Blackbird, part of the zine

Editions

Editions is a group print show I'm fortunate to be part of at Tacit Contemporary Art in Abbotsford curated by Stephanie Jane Rampton.

Exhibition features 19 artists, T J Bateson, Paul Compton, Louise Einfeld, Maria Galanis, Zoe Geyer, Jodi Heffernan, Anita Iacovella, Kyoko Imazu, Chris Ingham, Freya Jobbins, Sheridan Jones, Damon Kowarsky, Larissa MacFarlane, Ellie Malin, Greg Neville, Issy Oddie, Kirsten Perry, Stephanie Jane Rampton, Lisa Sewards.

Another exciting news is that this exhibition takes place in Tacit Contemporary Art's new premise.
This show marks not only the first show for 2013, but also their first exhibition in the new massive location with five gallery spaces and some 100 linear metres of exhibition walls.

Also I get to have another exhibition with my friend Damon Kowarsky!

12 February to 3 March 2013

Opening Party

Tuesday 12 February 6:00 to 8:00pm

Exhibition to be opened by Marco Luccio

Tacit Contemporary Art

312 Johnston Street

Abbotsford

Victoria 3067

0423 323188
keith@tacitart.com.au

Gallery hours
Wednesday to Friday 11 to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 11 to 5pm


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Rachel

Rachel is a cat that has been living with me for over 9 years.

The name of this blog is dedicated to her.
In fact I have made quite a few art works dedicated to her, including artist books called Rachel's garden I and Rachel's garden II, paper-cut works from uni time and other prints and drawings.

I've made her portrait this time... hope she doesn't mind it!

Rachel's garden I, 2010

Rachel's garden II, 2010

Rachel's cabinet I, 2006

Rachel's dreamscape, 2006

Back to basics

I have been doing lots of watercolour drawings/paintings lately.
Watercolour is a very addictive medium for me, I forget to eat, sleep, go to bathroom...


Although I love engravings and other printmaking methods, I often get fairly tired after a day of engraving or editioning.
It is sometimes feels like I'm competing against my own physical and mental strength.
Whereas for watercolour, it's simply a fun little pleasure activity for me.
I guess it's a totally different matter for artists like Marlene Dumas. Watercolour and ink drawing must be a physical medium like sculpture.

I think I regard printmaking as a "discipline", and even though it's less lighthearted, this is one of the things I love about printmaking.




I've set up my new Etsy shop for watercolour works, called Rachel's Cabinet, rachelscabinet.etsy.com.
I'm hoping to make picture books with those characters in them.
When the picture books are finished, they will be on this shop too.
I'll be working hard to fill my cabinet in the next few weeks!



And this is Rachel, inspiration for my work!

One warm winter afternoon

Magnolia is apparently an ancient plant, and it evolved before bees even appeared. Whenever I see one, I can't stop looking at it - looks so magical and somehow spiritual to me. Love those big flowers on bare tree without green leaves. Rachel is sun bathing in warm winter afternoon.

Moving House

I haven't updated my blog for such a long time! I just have been too busy sorting my things out at home...

I couldn't believe I have so much things + crap for my 6 -7 years in Australia.

Second picture is my studio-to-be at home! It's still a bit of mess but I think it'll be great! I have a nice city view once I step out to the balcony which is right next to my studio.

My cat Rachel is slowly getting used to the place. She still meows a lot to get some attention but she stopped hiding...

Finally I can do my works too! Been thinking about lots of ideas but haven't had any time to actually do it!!

I will have a housemate soon, and I think it'll be more fun as Eric is always out of home.

I'm just really excited about creating my sanctuary here in Brunswick East.

Only bad thing about this place is that a liquor shop is right next to my house... too convenient! I'm going to be staying home all the time!!