Alberto Sanchez was highly commended in the Olive Cotton Awards with his portrait Frank.

Hi and welcome to our News/Blog section. Get behind the scenes, find the inside information on those whose work you love, lose yourselves in hidden corners and read press reviews of our shows and interviews with our artists in the artist of the month section. It's an exciting area which you can be part of. Feel free to make comments (by clicking on the comment section at the bottom of each post) and engage in conversation/debate with other users of the site. This area is for you, so please help to build it as well. We look forward to reading your ideas.

Following the ATO’s announcement of a new tax break on art purchases, Retrospect Galleries Byron Bay has decided to jump on board by offering additional discounts to local businesses with an interest in investing… There’s never been a better time to invest in art, especially for businesses that are looking for a bit of a makeover.

In case you haven’t heard, the ATO has recently announced a major tax break on new art purchases.

From now until December 31, small businesses that turnover less than $2 million are eligible to receive an investment allowance of up to 50% on new art assets costing more than $1,000. Businesses with a turnover more than $2 million are also eligible for a tax break, of 10% on assets costing $10,000 or over.

Retrospect Galleries Director, Bree Delian says she is over the moon to hear about the investment allowance.

“It’s been a tough year for the arts community,” she says. “Not just locally – where we are the last of Byron’s commercial galleries left standing, but also Australia wide, and internationally. Over 200 galleries have closed down in New York alone.”

“The tax break is a real incentive for people to spend and we hope it will stimulate interest in some of the amazing artists that we represent, many of whom are from the Northern Rivers.”

Delian says that she would love to help local business make over their art collection, replacing a few of the standard mass produced prints seen around town, with something more contemporary, that truly reflects the nature and essence of their business.

“We represent over 60 artists with such a diverse range of contemporary works, from painting to sculpture, photography, drawings, etchings, mixed media, glass and ceramics,” she says.

“What people see in the Gallery is just a tiny portion of the work available. That’s why we are constantly changing our exhibits to try and showcase as many of our artists as possible and to represent the various styles, from the more conservative through to the outrageous,” she adds.

To show she means business, Delian is offering an additional 10 percent discount to local business in Byron, Ballina, Lismore or Tweed shires, on eligible artworks purchased from Retrospect Galleries, that meet the minimum spend criteria.
 
And for businesses that don’t know where to start, she’s also providing a free consultancy service, including advice on what type of art might complement a particular business or business premises, and also what is a good investment.

“So come on all you accommodation houses, day spas, restaurants, retailers, dentists, doctors, manufacturers and panel beaters, this is a fantastic offer,” Delian comments. “The combination of the tax break and our discount means that you can effectively save up to 60 percent on a fantastic piece of art, that will enhance your business environment and may very well increase in value,” she says.  

“And at the same time you can feel good about doing your bit to support the local arts community.”

Before rushing out to buy the first painting you come across, there are a few important criteria to keep in mind:
-    The artwork has to be new, original and portable, and created by a professional artist who is registered with an ABN,
-    It can’t have been owned by any other party before you buy it, meaning you must buy the work direct from the artist or their commercial gallery representative,
-    It must be put on display and “used predominantly in the course of business”, and
-    You have to hold onto it for at least a year before it’s sold.

For more information contact Retrospect Galleries on 6680 8825

 

Local artists Noel Hart (left) and Stephen Phibbs, with some of their work, available through Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay

Local photographer Alberto Sanchez’s portrait, Frank, was one of four highly commended works selected by judge Dean Sewell at the prestigious Olive Cotton Awards for Photographic Portraiture, announced at Tweed River Art Gallery this weekend. His work was the only local winner selected from hundreds of entries received from around Australia.

 

In commenting on the image, judge Dean Sewell said, “In Alberto Sanchez's Frank we share in the reserved consideration of his execution the intimacy and quiet so palpable, one can almost hear the humming coils of Frank's electric bar heater. “This is complimented by the multi-layering of textures and the subtle hues of his confinements- the patterned wall paper, the terracotta bricks that anchor his vice and its transporting glow. In this, we the viewer, are transported ourselves to southern Italy, Spain, Greece perhaps• Yet at times, we almost feel as intruders, disturbing the humbly constructed solitude of Frank's world, a fine example of the philosophical adherence to considered observation.”

 

Sanchez confirms that the image was taken during a recent trip to his native Madrid, where he spent a few weeks visiting his family. “It was on a cold winters’ day in January and I happened to be in Madrid with my brother walking about when I noticed a coat hanger on the footpath in front of an old shop,” he comments. “There was no signs or any indication of what was going on so I just went in for a look, only to discover Frank in the corner of this old furniture shop watching tele, ignoring me and for that matter, the world around him.”

 

The photo is one of a series of images capturing what Sanchez describes as the changing face of his home country. “What I found really striking about being back in Europe, was the number of old people, everywhere that I went, especially old men, doing everything - working, cooking, pushing prams with their grandchildren inside, down the street,” he says. “I think because everyone is so busy working, the older generation is taking a much more obvious role in the daily life.  It was such a contrast to my life here in Byron Bay,” he adds.

 

A multi award winning photographer and Associate Member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), Sanchez grew up in Madrid, Spain, and has been slinging his camera around the world since the age of 14. In 2004 he moved to Australia with his partner Bree Delian and in 2005 established Alberto Sanchez Photographia in Byron Bay. Late last year he also launched Studio Byron Bay with fellow photographer Grant MacIntyre, specialising in wedding photography and natural portraiture.

 

His image Frank has so far been recognised with a silver distinction at the AIPP Queensland Awards and a silver award at the AIPP national awards.  It was also selected as a finalist in Head On 2009, Australia’s major innovative showcase for portrait photography. You can see it on display as part of the Olive Cotton Award until Sunday 27 September, at Tweed River Art Gallery in Murwillumbah. And don’t forget to cast your vote in the People’s Choice Award, to be announced on the closing weekend.

 

Here are some pics from the opening night. Another great turnout and good night. DJ Slinky had the crowd pumped. Thanks for coming.

People crowd in room three, artist Bennet in front of Dennis Ropar's Cowgirl Love

Dj Slinky

Artist Dennis and Sonia Ropar

The middle Room

KAreem Rizk Birds, Dennis Ropar Cowgirl and James Mcmillan on R

Art from Japan and Ginza LAb on Right Fawn Gehweiler

Artist Michelle Dawson in front of Alberto Sanchez's retired super heros

Artworks by Kelsey Brookes and Johnny Romeo

People look at  work by Glasslove, Fawn Gehweiler and Harley Graham

Its Love By Dennis Ropar

Artist Harley Graham  with partner Sheree in front of Ears to the Ground's Rainbow Warrior

Wicked beats by DJ Slinky had the crowd dancing

Artist Dolores Cupcake in front of HAHA's fantastic jigsaw pieces 

Photographer Alberto Sanchez embraced by Rafael Desantos and Retrospect Warehouse manager Mauricio Laratro

Laura Skerlj and Amos Duggan's artworks

Photographer Tom Ives contemplates works by Justin Williams, Sarah Harvey and Anna Nordstrom

Artist Fiona Kennedy Altoft philosophizes with print makers Joanna Kambourini and Darren Bryant

Spot the Dog on Left and Sculpture by Mitchell Brannon

Gallery Director Bree Delian with Diana Hobbs and Kitty Delian, underneath Vilchez artworks.

Artists Celia Morgan, Michelle Dawson and Singer Rafael Desantos AKA (Kangatito)

 Goodnight....

Byron Bay photographer Alberto Sanchez-Peinador's Frank highly commended during the 2009 Olive Cotton Award.

Ballina Information Blog

Good News Tax Break for Art Lovers in Business

"The ATO has announced a tax break for small businesses with an annual turnover of  less than $2 million. Until 21 December, businesses are eligible to receive an investment allowance of up to 50% on new art assets over $1,000.

Retrospect Galleries Director, Bree Delian says she is over the moon to hear about the investment allowance.

“It’s been a tough year for the arts community,” she says. “Not just locally – where we are the last of Byron’s commercial galleries left standing, but also Australia wide, and internationally. Over 200 galleries have closed down in New York alone.”

“The tax break is a real incentive for people to spend and we hope it will stimulate interest in some of the amazing artists that we represent, many of whom are from the Northern Rivers.”

Retrospect Galleries are offering an additional 10% discount to local businesses in Byron, Ballina, Lismore or Tweed Shires on eligible artworks that meet the minimum spend criteria. If you’re unsure about what you should buy, Bree is more than happy to help with a free consultancy service."

Local artist Noel Hart (left) and Stephen Phibbs with some of their work available through Retrospect Galleries, Byron Bay

You can read the article here...

Revolution of Art’s show

‘Messages from Above’ – Byron artist Delores Cupcake (aka Bek Kinsey) is one of six Byron artists who are part of the 40 thought provocateurs that make up the Urban Art exhibition on show at Retrospect Gallery in Jonson Street, Byron Bay, until August 17.

Olive Cotton 2009 Award

Alberto Sanchez highly commended for the Olive Cotton Award for photographic portraiture for 2009. 

Artist Di West who has taken out 3 prizes at this years RNA Show. She was awarded first prize in the Abstract category and second and third prizes in the Figurative category. The winning pieces were "Thinking Outside the Square" (first prize), "Collector of Stars" (second prize) and "Sky Scraper"(third prize). Congratulations!!

View more work...

Rone is one of Melbournes prolific street artists. His notorious paste-ups have been spread far and wide across high traffic areas of inner city Melbourne, often dominating the environment with their crude graphic approach. The monotone, larger than life female faces bare down upon passers by.

Check out his profile...

Timba Smits is an award winning art director, designer & artist from Melbourne, Australia and is mostly known for creating and producing one of the worlds art communities best kept secrets, wooden toy quarterly. This man just doesnt stop. If he had any spare time, which is rare, it ought to be spent sleeping, however you are most likely to find him hunched over his drawing table, headphones on, putting his 2b pencil to good use!

Check out his profile...

Amos Duggan is an Australian contemporary painter created in Queensland. Raised in Kenilworth, Amos completed a Diploma of Fine Arts at the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, Noosaville. The human race is his inspiration. He uses vivid colours and strokes to explore future technologies and ideas and their impact on the mind, body and soul of man. Amos is currently based in Melbourne as a resident artist at the Medium Arts Collective in East Brunswick.

Check out his profile...

Nikky Morgan-Smith reflects on  water in her series ‘5 baths a day in shades of paynes grey’.
This body of work explores water metaphors in an agonising beautiful and satirical look at domestic monotony. With a combination of raw and worked surfaces, colour as a visual language and gestural mark making she describes the ritual of bath time and the solidarity of the bathroom. 

Check out her profile..

Kareena Zerefos work evokes a delicate balance between isolation and companionship, as well as yearning and delight in long lost moments of escape to the whimsical world of make believe. Unique and refreshing in its simplicity, her work often captures young children in moments of endearing expression as they discover their imaginary worlds. Mysterious giants and fragile creatures populate these shadowy worlds; like the curious owl, who simply says hello, or the deer alone in the silent woods.

Check out her profile...

Trent Whitehead is known as a painter / sculptor. He was born in 1980 in a small surf town north of Sydney, Australia. He now works out of his studio in Sydney where he works predominantly in ink and acrylic on wood. Trent Whiteheads latest body of work centers around a series of hand crafted 3d wooden masks. Each character seems about to burst with some intense expression of anger, frustration or joie de vivre. The intensity of the masks captures the effervescence of the artist himself, pooling the experiences of his existence to breathe life into inanimate wood, like a vagabond Giuseppi to a badass Pinocchio. Trents exquisitely patterned and narrative works explore the effects of extinction in a fantastical world of horned creatures and bearded villains.

Check out his profile..

Retrospect Galleries is excited to offer specially commissioned limited edition fine art prints featuring works by some of our most popular artists. Printed using the highest quality giclee art reproduction printer on 100% cotton rag, these works will last longer than you, they are museum grade archival so rest assured you are buying a great quality product. This is a great way to purchase collectable works at an unbeatable price. All prints are $90 each or $190 framed. Check out the most recent additions to our collection.

We are so excited to have our first International Artist - Fawn Earth Gehweiler - in our stable of ever growing artists in the Retrospect Editions.

Originally from Hawaii and currently based in the Pacific Northwest, her work often references the trappings of a bohemian upbringing, combining sartorial escapism, teenage psychedelia, and her own family tree. Fawn Gehweiler's signature character based paintings, installations and works on paper have exhibited in galleries and museums across the US, Europe and Japan, appear regularly in publication, and have been included in a number of prominent private and public collections.

Check out some more of her great paintings here

Birgit has been experimenting with a new technique - Acrylic on plaster. Here is one of these interesting works titled 'I Dare You'.

Click here to view her profile

 

Kareena Zerefos's  work continues to delight us! It evokes a delicate balance between isolation and companionship, as well as yearning and delight in long lost moments of escape to the whimsical world of make believe.

Click here to view her profile

It's great to have some new and very different work by Stephen Phibbs. He created 2 new works specifically for the 'Revolution of Art' Show.

 

Stephen's work 'End of the Empire' is  all about our "Obsessed with consumption and growth, the rulers of this world are prepared to use all of the world's resources at any cost".

Click here to view his profile

Artist and printmaker Sarah Harvey is currently exploring the endless possibilities of monoprinting techniques in her latest work. These works are printed with an etching press and are each unique - therefore creating one off artworks.

 

 Click  here to see her profile

Each month we will bring to you a new artist of the month, an exclusive interview with unusual questions. Get to know your favourite artists, get the inside information here deep inside the Retrospect blog! This merry month of August we are introducing Mia Taninaka. You’ve seen her art, read the mysterious workings of her inner mind!

Mia lives and works on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Her father is Japanese so she grew up surrounded by a lot of Japanese art and anime films. A lot of her inspiration is drawn from the magic and spiritual themes that are prominent in Japanese culture. She has always loved working with different colours and textures, but more recently has started drawing lines. Her small to large scale paintings are done on wooden panels allowing her to experiment with a range of mediums. With the use of bright colours and fine line details she creates quirky, conceptual works of art.

View her profile and see more of her works.

Right now I am…
A little bit drunk

My favourite artist is …
(I have 2!)
Gustav Klimt – because he’s magic
Kelsey Brooks - he’s so rad and his art is awesomely weird and wild.

I am at my most creative/productive when…
Creative=3 cups of tea, productive=1 cup of tea

I usually start my day by…
Sitting in the sun with a cup of Roobi (tea) and a book

I am currently reading….
Bram Stoker’s DRACULA. Going through a bit of vampire phase at the moment

The book that changed my life is…
ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand, and WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. I love Max!

My favourite album of all time is…
Bob Dylan- the times they are a changing

My favourite film of all time is…
Across the universe-Not my all time favourite but it’s definitely up there. It just has such good vibes plus an epic soundtrack

When I am working I like to listen to…
Bob Dylan

It makes me smile when…
My boyfriend and I dance around the kitchen to ‘the do’

The three things in life I could never give up are …
My eyes, my ears and my tongue (tastebuds only)

If I was stranded on a desert island I would want…
A monkey (standard tropical attire), 2 ponies, a fishing rod and lip balm

If I could travel anywhere back and forth in time, I would go …
Dancing in New Orleans, visiting a shaman in sth America, eating pizza in italy,

If I was elected Prime Minister of Australia the first thing I would do is…
quit

My dream dinner party of six would include….
Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, my lover, Edward Cullen the vampire, Frida Khalo, Johnny Depp

If it were my party, I would serve…
A treasure feast.
The craziest thing I have ever done was…
Drink 4 cups of tea

The most valuable lesson I have learned in life is…
Keep it simple stupid

When I die, I would like my gravestone to say…
See ya next time suckers

If I wasn’t an artist I would like to be….
A lady of leisure

 

Retrospect Art Gallery

Retrospect Galleries in conjunction with Stupidkrap are hosting an radical group show Where Mighty Giants Dwell in Byron Bay starting the weekend of August 1st to 3rd to coincide with the annual Splendour in the Grass music festival. Bands such as DEVO, The Presets, Vampire Weekend, and PNAU will now be joined by the relative A-Z of urban artists, allowing a truly mixed media experience for those in Byron Bay this August.

The exhibition will open at Retrospect Galleries on Friday 1st August from 6- 10pm and will be running until August 17th. With works from over 40 artists, the show offers serious art collectors the ability to acquire original paintings, sculptures and fine art prints from a carefully selected group of celebrated and emerging urban and graffiti artists. For the more casual art-lover, the exhibition also includes art-toys and hard-to-find art print clothing ranges. Local artists along with some of the Sydney-based artists will be attending the opening event. With a celebrity DJ to be confirmed, the opening night will be a fantastic event and is free to all members of the public.

We would love to see you there!!

>> Retrospect Galleries :: 52 Jonson Street Byron Bay NSW 2481 T: 02 6680 8825 E: info@retrospectgalleries.com W: http://www.retrospectgalleries.com < <

You can read the article here...