Byron Bay Echo

Once Upon A Time

A harvest of art tales at Newrybar

"On Saturday May 29 Harvest Cafe at Newrybar will be transformed to an intimate art space for an evening of art, discussion , great food, wine, music and more. Presented in conjunction with Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay, Once Upon A Time at Harvest Cafe is an introduction to Retrospect's upcoming Once Upon A Time exhibition, in which four local artists who spent their early years in Europe, come together to explore notions of the past."

Byron Bay Echo

Once Upon a Time

"This Saturday all your darkest fairy tales come alive with an exhibition at Harvest Cafe in Newrybar. Presented in conjunction with Retrospect Galleries, this latest showing features the works by local artists Katka Adams, Cornelia Burless and Hilary Herrmann, who all spend their early years in Europe."

Byron Bay Echo

Retroism time travels to 20th century

"A new exhibition opening this week at Retrospect Galleries takes a trip back in time to the best of the 20th Century. 'Retroism' features works by 12 internationally accomplished artists including renowned US artist Robert Mars, whose multimedia works reflect a longing for a different America - be - fore 'independent aesthetic of the not-so-distant past was replaced by homogenised corporate culture and standardised cityscapes."

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Retro and vintage lovers were out in force for the opening of the Retroism exhibition at Retrospect Galleries on Friday May 21.  This stunning show features a mix of assemblage, collage and multi-media works by 12 renowned artists from the US, Brazil, UK, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Australia, who all share a fascination with nostalgic 20^th Century imagery. Congratulations to co-curator, artist Kareem Ritz, who did a fantastic job, working in conjunction with Retrospect’s Bree Delian.  This show has been extended until June 14.

Artist Kareem Risk.

Elise Juin, artist Kareem Risk, Michelle Dawson and Alberto Sanchez.

Retrospect galleries staff pose for  Byron Bay Echo photographer extraordinaire Jeff Dawson. All staff members are dressed in retro themes by Yo Yo Clothing Byron Bay to celebrate the opening of their new exhibition Retroism.

In order of appearance from left to Right Elise Juin, Kareem Rizk, Kellie O'Dempsey, Michelle Dawson, Alberto Sanchez.

Northen Star

Retroism

A resurgence of retro hits the walls of Retrospect Gallery

"An exhibition will open in Byron Bay next week that chronicles the resurgence of interest in popular nostalgic imagery from 1980s. The Retroism exhibition will feature 12 renowned artists from around the world who work with mixed media to create pieces that narrate the collective desire to live life at a slower pace."

You can read the article here...

Dress up in your best retro gear and get along to Retrospect Galleries from 6 to 9pm Friday May 21, for the opening of Retroism. There will be great tasting beers sponsored by local brewers Stone and Wood and the Retrospect crew will all be dressed up in fabulous vintage, thanks to the people at Yo Yo, local Byron Bay recycled clothing store. The show features works by 12 internationally accomplished artists who utilise nostalgic and retro imagery in diverse and exciting ways. Including renowned US artists Robert Mars and Cecil Touchon, Germany’s Mario Wagner, Brazilian Eduardo Recife, Dutch artist Hanneke Treffers (Handiedan), Australian Nick Morris (half of the infamous Doug Bartlett), alongside representatives from France, Belgium, America and the UK. There’s also a free curator’s talk at 11am Saturday May 22, presented by Kareem Rizk, who will share his experience of putting together an international show and comment on the work of the twelve Retroism artists from a global perspective. Click here for a full list of artists and a preview of the show.

Robert Mars work is an evolving chronicle of Americana. He is determined to capture the independent aesthetic of the not-so-distant past that has been replaced by homogenized corporate culture and standardized cityscapes. Industrial design, found objects, graphic design, architecture, color, collage, and vintage neon all render important roles in his work.

View his artist profile here...

Eduardo Recife brings a humane and emotionally sophisticated sensibility to his designs, drawings, collages, photos, websites, and remarkable typefaces. He crafts his art mostly by hand and employs the computer to enhance the personal touch and not to obscure it.

View his artist profile here...

HANDIEDAN (Hanneke Treffers, 1981) is an Amsterdam based artist and designer. Her mixed media artworks are a delicate cut and paste mixture wrapped in contemporary antiquity. She meticulously combines classic pin-ups and movie images with paint, ink, yellowed sheet music, old fashioned playing cards, money, stamps, Chinese papers, old wood, rusty metal and doodles as a playful mixture of filigree and a newfangled amalgamation of imagery.

View her artist profile here...

When local artist Katka Adams migrated to Australia, she and her mother shared a single suitcase, in it a Czech fairytale book…

Our second Retrospect Party at Harvest for the year features talks by three local artists who all spent their early years in Europe - Katka Adams (Czech Republic), Cornelia Burless (Germany) and Hilary Herrmann (Germany via Kenya).

As an introduction to their upcoming Once Upon A Time exhibition, the trio of women explore how notions of the past continue to shape their lives and art.  Our last Retrospect Party at Harvest was a total sellout, so be quick to get tickets this time around. It’s on from 6.30pm, Saturday May 29. Tickets cost $45, which includes a gorgeous two course meal, glass of mulled wine on arrival, great art, interesting discussion, laid back music and good times. Phone Harvest Café, 6687 2644.

Click here for a preview of the show.

Last month we dug out our cool weather gear and headed south to Melbourne, where we spent four fantastic days mixing it up with our city-based contemporaries at one of the country’s biggest and most prestigious art fairs. It was fabulous to see the enthusiastic response to the works created by our artists, from the numerous new people we met as well as the familiar faces in the crowd.  All up we sold more than 90 works, making us one of the most successful and popular galleries to take part.  We were also the first of the 100+ galleries that took part in the fair, to sell an artwork, making us the winners of the annual Grace Removalists’ “Unpacker’s prize”… The guys were busy taking bets as we were setting up our stand.

With the stand all set up, Michelle takes a last look around and a few minutes rest before the crowd comes in.

Some of the beautiful works by artist John Cottrell.

Katka Adams' beautiful chickens and still life smalls in pastel.

Ross Tamlin Artworks. People are always amazed that this is not actually corrugated iron.

Great new works by Fiona Kennedy Altoft, delighted children and adults alike.

Admirers of John Cottrell.

Amazing works from Lisa Lee, whose vivid street scapes were a great success.

Michelle Dawson and her stunning Dr Moreau's Kitten.

After a quick re-hang the next morning we are back and ready for business.

Works by Artists Lyndy Delian and Albert Sanchez.

Stunning creations by Jan Van Dijk and Hilary Herrmann

Works by Nikky Morgan-Smith, Nicole Tattersall and Michelle Dawson.

Art connoisseurs from the garden state admiring the beautiful works at our stand.

A successful exhibition, admired by all which would not have been possible without the combined and mighty efforts of  gallery director Bree Delian, Gallery assistant Michelle Dawson, French intern Elise Juin, PR Julie Clark, web assistant Kitty Delian  and of course all our wonderful and talented artists.

View the exhibition here....

A beautiful commission for David Kegele by artist Shane Martin

View his artist profile and gallery here...

And another fantastic piece for his "Script on Metal" series, unfortunately for some, already sold.

Every month we present an interview with one of our amazing artists to give you a bit of an insight into their behind the scenes life.  This month we’re featuring the Collage King Kareem Rizk. His work is highly textured and often multi-layered with a nostalgic and weathered quality. The images can often be vibrant with colour, while others display a very refined or minimal palette. Rizk works in collage, acrylic, oil, pastel, pencil, solvent transfers and acrylic transfers, and his working methods also extend to digital collage with a very gritty and realistic display of texture and layering. He is featured in our upcoming show Retroism.

Right now I am…
Freaking out about how much art stuff I have to do before the end of the week, including this questionnaire!

The person who has most influenced my art is…
Eduardo Recife (Misprinted Type).

My favourite artist is…
Eduardo Recife.

I’m inspired to start a new work when….
I’ve just finished a new piece that I’m really happy with. If  I get on a roll the production of work can almost become perpetual for quite an extended period of time.

I am at my most creative/productive when…
The sun is going down.  Even more so when its dark.

I usually start my day by…
Making a big mug of black tea (dash of milk/no sugar) and warm toast with butter and Vegemite.

The book that changed my life is…
God I Am by Peter O. Erbe.

My favourite album of all time is…
I don’t know if it’s my favourite of all time, but one that has inspired me quite a lot is the soundtrack from Blade Runner (Orchestral version) including the original extended version of Blade Runner Blues by Vangelis. 

My favourite film of all time is…
I can’t name just one, so I’ll name four! The Burbs, in my opinion one of the most classic, quintessential 80’s movies, Back To The Future,  Beetlejuice and Scarface.

When I am working I like to listen to…
80’s soft rock, 60’s & 70’s soul, funk and R&B. Not only do I like this kind of music but it often evokes certain feelings of nostalgia and memories which draws me closer to my work. It absorbs me further into the creative process, making it a truly mixed media experience.
My three most valued possessions are...
My SLR film camera, my growing collection of vintage magazines and 35 rolls of colour and black & white film from my 2008 journey around the world, which are still in the process of being developed! (I got a bit carried away).
If I could travel anywhere back and forth in time, I would go …
To visit each year of the sixties. So many pivotal events took place in this decade. And it also seems to have been one of the most creative, inspiring and liberating periods in history, with so much great music produced in so many genres.

If I was elected Prime Minister of Australia the first thing I would do is…
Get someone to kick me in the head in the hope of jolting any memory of why I wilfully ran for Prime Minister in the first place. Then I’d find the nearest person who was willing to become the next hand puppet for the ruling elite.

The three things in life I could never give up are …
Art, booze and laughter.

My dream dinner party of six would include…
Bill Hicks (alive of course), Christopher Walken, Bill Bailey, Dave Chapelle, Edvard Munch and Ghandi.
If it were my party, I would serve…
I wouldn’t be serving, I’d be too busy getting smashed.
I get angry about…
Finding traces of butter in a jar of Vegemite which are not mine.

The most valuable lesson I have learned in life is…
We live within a three dimensional holographic illusion. But we are infinite beings, pure light. There is no such thing as death, our souls are eternal. We will always experience life in all its forms eternally. Which is why it’s pointless ever worrying about anything or even taking anything in life too seriously.
 My legacy to the world will be…
Hopefully leaving a body of artwork behind that will stand the test of time. Something that is unique enough to be remembered as having inspired or motivated others to be creative and pursue their dreams.

We have had some amazing new works come through the door this month and can’t wait to get them out on display. Check out cute new paintings for young (and young at heart) art enthusiasts by Fiona Kennedy Altoft.

Unfortunately for some of you and fortunately for those of you who bought her work, we sold out of many of her fabulous new pieces at Art Melbourne.

Check out her artist gallery and remaining works here....

Nikky Morgan-Smith never ceases to amaze with her water inspired work. We loved this one of a peacock bathing in a bathroom sink.

Check out her artist profile and new work here...

We've all been excited in the gallery with John Cottrell's new direction. He painted some great abstract works inspired by baby elephants which both sold instantly at Art Melbourne.

A crowd of regulars and open-mouthed visitors gathered at Retrospect last Friday night for the opening of our latest show, Jan Van Dijk and Michelle Dawson’s Man Woman Beast. Whilst Jan tried his best to look inconspicuous, Michelle played on the hybrid theme, glamming up with a set of feline ears.  Neither could hide from the accolades for their stunning and highly contrasting works, from Jan’s heavily layered canvases of human-animals, to Michelle’s fine drawings and paintings of mixed animal forms.  Saturday’s drawing sessions in the Gallery also drew fascinated audiences, who loved the opportunity to watch these incredible creative technicians at work.

A full house turned up for Man Woman Beast.

Mix and Match your own beast with Exquisite Corpse inspired make your own beast with heads, torsos and tails by Michelle and Jan.

Pensive thoughts inspired by wicked beasts.

Some interesting combinations.  

Jan Van Dijk with Kylie (of Duck Rifle fame) and James Crookshank and friend.

Artists Emma Walker and Hilary Herrmann congratulate Michelle and her ears on a great show.

Jack Reindeer commands the room.

Artists Hilary Herrmann and Corneila Burless with Gallery Director Bree Delian.

Photographer Charile and friend from the Top Shop enjoy beverages provided by our sponsors Stone and Wood.

Chris Booth with Jan and Kylie.

Man Woman Beast artists Michelle Dawson and Jan Van Dijk admire some strange make your own monster combinations.

Michelle and Jan.

A great night had by all.

Michelle Dawson and Jan Van Dijk did some collaborative drawings on Saturday morning based on the surrealist children's game 'The Exquisite Corpse' where each artist draws a head torso and tail covering over the piece that was done before so no one knows how the beast will look until the moment of unveiling.

Jan working is it a head or tail-

Tail...

The Unveiling...

Kylie is the perfect hostess...

Some finished creatures

Kellie presents Sunday Morning Blues. A great crowd came along to watch Kellie create a large scale performance drawing pieces, in collaboration with local Northern Rivers improvisational outfit, The Knie.

Over Easter weekend and into the holidays, Retrospect Galleries was thrilled to present artist Kellie O’Dempsey, live and in exhibition.  Renowned for her live drawing performances, which we were lucky enough to sample on Easter Sunday morning, Kellie has amassed an amazing collection of drawings and paintings of musicians, dancers, actors and other performers in action, all around the world.  In this show she presented highlights of her work at a decade worth of music gigs and festivals, from small town shows to major international events.  Some of our favourites included Tex Perkins at Repentance Creek, Jack Johnson at a previous Bluesfest and The Kills, trans-Atlantic rock-n-roll duo at Benicassim in Spain.

Kellie O'Dempsey painting live in Retrospect Galleries front room while Byron Bays fantastic improvisational outfit The Knie jams in front of a mesmerised crowd.

Kellie draws inspiration from the sounds of the double bass.

Kellie's drawing is taking shape as she seeks inspiration from outside the window.

People passing by, stop to enjoy Kellie's fantastic drawing performance.

Jan Van Dijk

Artist profile and extract from In Retrospect 10, published by Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay.

Kareem Rizk

Artist profile and extract from In Retrospect 10, published by Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay.

ART IN THE OPEN – KELLIE O’DEMPSEY

Story by Julie Clark, photos of Kellie O’Dempsey by Cal MacKinnon

"The room is set, musicians begin to play and the audience holds its breath in silence as a woman in a gown takes centre stage, looking every bit the diva. But instead of a microphone she holds in her hand a piece of charcoal/ a pen/a paintbrush. And with a sweeping glance at the scene before her eyes she begins to draw on the huge canvas/paper hung in the window."

“All of my work is site-specific”

Kellie explains. “As is my choice of music or performers.”

“At the Tweed I wanted to respond to the incredible views from the Gallery across to Mt Warning, so I decided to create the work on large panels that filled four of the window spaces. Then I invited The KNIE to come on board, and everything else was down to the audience.”