Reka and Yok have been two infamous names in Australian street art for the better part of a decade. Emerging at roughly the same time while walking distinctively different paths.

With projects such King Brown Magazine, commissioned artwork and design as well as solo shows Yok has made a name as a solitary icon, while Reka as part of Everfresh studio and with a strong focus on graffiti , canvases and curating exhibitions such as Letterheads is a prolific and community based artist.

Both have contributed immensely in the several past years and this show represents a convergence of  two ends of the Australian street art scene.

With “Such is Life” launching tomorrow at Green Wood Gallery i caught up with Reka and Yok for a short interview.

What’s the rationale behind this show?

R – Ive been wanting to do an Australiana themed show for a while but didn’t know what angle to take. It can easily be tacky and cliche. Aussies love Bushrangers, why not explore the reasons why. The Bushranger image is very iconic and translates across in many ways. I found it a fun and interesting theme to work with. I actually did allot of research into all of the other Bushrangers. I didn’t want this show to be a focus on just Ned Kelly. Yok and I have been wanting to collaborate on this scale for a while. It was only a matter of time.

Y – It’s great working with talented artists it pushes you that bit further to produce your best work.

A commonality that I’ve noticed between the two of you has been a marked development in your styles, becoming more abstract, less street. If this something your aware of, forced or gradual?

Y – It’s definitely something i’m aware of, i think its just comes from pushing myself, trying new things, experimenting, it’s always evolving, keeps things fresh and interesting.

R – A little bit forced but mainly gradual. As an artist you are constantly evolving. The last few years I have been separating my style for the street and my style for my artwork. I find that artwork lets me explore allot of areas that my street work cant. especially technique. The same process applies to both though.

Is this movement away from street the reason that your incorporating your first name into the exhibition for the first time Reka?

R – Yeah. Your pretty clever!

What are your thoughts on street art today, do you think that your artwork is developing separately to mural work as an independent style?

Y – Street art today? That’s a hard one, i think it’s kind of over, it’s past it’s peak too many people are jumping onto it.  I still love it. It’s great to see some art work when you walk to the shops, just a little sign of life, some evidence that not all people are in their borrows watching TV all day.

R – I think street art is going in a different direction to when I was in the thick of it. There has been allot more media coverage on street art and graffiti in the last few years. I think everyone’s finally realizing that its a form of art, and that its a pretty amazing form of self expression.

How many pieces are in the show?

R – bout 30-35 I think.

Y – About 15 framed works on water color paper and about 12 unframed pieces, and maybe a wooden Bushranger, named after my friends great grand father that was a ridgy dige Bushranger Ben Hall.

“Such is life” the infamous last worlds of an infamous Australia criminal. What made the two of you want to celebrate Australia’s criminality?

Y – I love a good story about the underdog, some one that shakes up the authorities a bit A kind of Robin Hood Story. When Kelly robbed the bank at Jerilderie, they impersonated police officers, took some hostages and keep them amused with drinks on the house. Made off with 2000 pounds and burned the towns mortgage deeds, so the townfolk didn’t have to pay back the loans. Classic. A lot of great folk lore and tales come from these times and my work shows a story in progress, like you’ve stepped into something and are witnessing whats taking place, usually the bushrangers plans coming unstuck. It deals with the ideas of Karma in subtle ways, as the long arm of the law is not far behind the bearded outlaws.

R – I think everyone is interested in the underworld, crime, murder and anything “illegal”. That’s why there are so many TV shows and movies. Martin Scorsese has made a career out of examining the underworld. I think we are actually more interested in the people behind the crime and not the crime itself. What would drive a person to do the crime. A great theme to explore visually.

One armed knife fight.. Ned Kelly vs Chopper, who would win.

R – Most prob Chopper. I reckon Ned was only good with his shooters.

Y – Kelly for sure u can’t stab through metal plating, unless he gets him in the eye slot, but i’ve got my money on Kelly.

Such Is Life
Opens at GreenWoodGallery today at 6pm.
1 Hotham St, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Phone: + 61 3 9682 3205
Hours: Wed-Sun 11-5

Announcing the annual Nice Sale. All nice brand T-shirts half price.
Certain styles down as low at $15Aus.  Get in quick, here.

Crime & Charity the next show by Melbourne artist Meggs is launching tomorrow at Cerasoli Gallery, abstract drips, movement and super hero’s.
Nice Produce has just finished an interview with Meggs which we will post shortly, however until then enjoy this preview.

‘Right to Remain Silent’
Mixed media on canvas
48×48” (1200x1200mm)

‘Give More’
Mixed media on canvas
36×48” (900x1200mm)

‘Take Less’
Mixed media on canvas
36×48” (900x1200mm)

‘Any means necessary’
Mixed media on ply (black woodstain with satin varnish)
36×36” (900x900mm)

‘Out of mind, Out of rights’
Mixed media on ply
36×36” (900x900mm)

We’ve also just put a new print by Meggs and Rone up on our online store.

CatWoman
510mm x 340mm
Signed and numbered Giclee print. Only $120 AUS.

The hallowed walls of Revolver Upstairs feature pieces by renowned artists such as Banksy, Shepard Fairey (Obey), Perks, Chris Johanson, Reas, Brendan Huntley, Doze Green, Todd James and James Jarvis, John Spooner, Jonathan Hannon (Anti War Whole Food Art & Design), Gus Braidotti, Simon Wood, Robert Nelson, Raph Rashid, Itch, Kano and more.

The Late Show is especially excited to announce Melbourne based creative conglomerate The Serps will be adding some of their unique stylings to the Revolver Walls.  The Serps (also known as The Serpents) was forged during the summer of 2005 by now sober friends, Tristan Ceddia and Brendan Huntley. The  original agenda was simple – to establish a platform through which friends could connect and work across creative projects. Based in Melbourne, Australia, The Serps now have around 30 members within their ranks. Recruiting from coast to coast in Australia, membership stretches as far as San Francisco, Tokyo and New Zealand.

The crew includes people from all walks, including photographers, literary masters, musicians, athletes, fine artists, tattooists, graphic designers, career criminals, graffiti writers, kitchen hands, a-grade students, high school teachers, BBQ specialists, bus drivers, home owners, and competitive cyclists.

We’ve been itching to work with these guys for a long time and after months of planning we’re pleased to launch the Solid Series with an impressive multi-faceted installation from the Serps crew.

Highlights include:
A complete Serps overhaul of Revolver’s showcase graff wall
A colour edition of Revolver’s poster wall by Martin Bell
A brand new permanent wall installation opposite Perks’ iconic  piece
A new Serps x Late Show tee designed by Serps co-founder Tristan Ceddia
Plus an all Serps line up on the decks featuring Emillionz, Ivens, Lazer Bone, Michael K, Rickaz and Olmatic Genius.

Festivities kick off from 7pm on Friday 10th July with free entry until 10pm, free beers from our good friends over at Coopers and a limited number of Serps x Late Show tees to give away. The night also features an impressive array of local, interstate and international acts including The Psyde Projects (live), Digital Primate’s new project Ctrl Frq (live), buzzing Gold Coast house producer Wongo, Croatian/Kiwi sister DJ duo Maya Vanya alongside Late Show Fridays regulars Paz, Mat Cant, Mu-Gen, Lewis Cancut and Who.

http://www.theserps.com.au/
http://theserps.blogspot.com/
http://www.theserps.com.au/sz_frameset.html

12×12 Show launched last friday at the temporary No Vacancy Gallery, situated an abandoned & atmospheric corner of QV melbourne.

Phibs

TwoOne

Two

Beastman and DrewFunk

Mad space

Bridge. Art titles mad, but she managed to out do herself this time. (check them here)

Meggs

Zoom

Don’t Come Gallery, Melbourne.

Last Thursday at Dont Come.

Highlight of the show, Luca.