THE ARTS MENAGERIE - Show

Good Day people!

For those in and around Auckland this Saturday please come by Ponsonby and check this out:

Exhibition: Illuminate, Saturday 13 July 2013. The Arts Menagerie (Auckland)

I know it has been a while since my last post (over a year ago). Don't worry, I haven't been slacking, just busy with life, you know... changes (aka: work, family, relationship) and other little things like art as well. And of course, I have been working on some work for this little show happening this Saturday. This year I have gotten back into some string, two dimensional this time, but with layers (cause you know, I like that). Had finished my Artist Alliance mentor-ship program at the beginning of this year, and is in the middle of working on time management skills and creating routines. But my gosh it is a struggle to fit everything in. With only 24 hours in a day, minus the sleep time there is barely enough time to cram work, gym, eating, socialising and art in one day. But back to the point...

I have gotten myself in another little collective called The Arts Menagerie, all is exciting and the people in it are fun and enthusiastic. Amazing people to be around with when you want to get down to creating. So to kick start this collective (as it is relatively new) there is a show coming up this Saturday. Come and join for art and mingling. Anyone and everyone is welcome! No charge at the door cause its a art show and that stuff is wrong. And if you have any interest in joining, or wanting to get down and messy with workshops and doing anything creative, you are welcome to join! This show isn't about being the elite, it isn't even a teeny bit snobby. You just have to turn up keen to have some fun and like pretty things. Make sure you come in with some cash too, there will be some art and other little gift items on sale.

Hope to see you there. Would love some support and feed back and most importantly.. Criticism. Am really missing it and craving it now. Be mean (lovingly) I can take it..
 

Open Studio at Corbans 2012

As you may know, Corbans Estate had recently opened up their doors for this years Open Studio weekend. Like many studio occupants, we were greeted with many friendly art enthusiast. A lot were children but most were adults, curious in knowing what an artist studio would be like.

Many I spoke to wished they had retained or had any ounce of creativity in them. Others were simply happy coming in, wondered around a bit, greeting you with a smile and leaving you to your merry business. The cafe we had there seemed to be popular, and there was a sausage sizzle which (I admit) saved me from tremendous hunger. I decided not to paint the day due to large crowds of people moving through my space, starting and stopping to chatter would dry my paints out and delay me, so I took the chance to find some discarded pieces of wood to burn on. Was pretty pleased with the look of it, may continue with the method, hopefully something can come out of it.


Sin-Mae Chung 2012, Aged 24 (2-6) Acrylic on Canvas, works that were recently in a group show called Disconnect/Reconnect Revisited










The view from the entrance of my studio, visitors and art lovers.











Finding something to do, so making use of scrap wood in the studio (I believe the air condition installers left behind)










Had to tidy and sweep the place before any body came in. This will do.

Opening of Disconnect/Reconnect Revisited

The view of the gallery - Depot Gallery

So it has already been 3 weeks and the show had finally come to an end, but it turned out to be a great show in terms of getting good feedback and meeting many art lovers during the process. All thanks to Selene for being the main director of putting the show together, her talent in organising and multi-tasking is beyond human. But here are some photos of the opening and a bit on some fun art making.

The turn out

The Art lovers

Gentleman finding Selene's details on the catalog for her works.

The people out front.

Going with some untraditional gallery food choices, moochi, chocolate wafer sticks, roman cookies, jelly sticks, etc.

Selene rocking her professional artiness

The view from the back room.

Rachael, sorting out the wine.

The second set of my three works on the other side of the wall.



Helped Selene out with this Hopscotch outside the Depot, adhesive glue, turmeric,
and the red rock that went missing short after it had been used.

Gallery 36

If you happen to be free around April the 3rd, come check out a group show celebrating Gallery36's forth anniversary!!! That is four years of hard work and success from an amazing lady by the name of Selene Simcox. The concept of Gallery36 started in 2008 and have since been a platform for young and emerging artist to promote themselves digitally to a wider audience. I was one of the first to be featured in the first ever issue of Gallery36 (this you can find and download to read from the website) so that means I shall be a part of the show, come check it and show some support, would love to see you or meet you there.

Check out Gallery36 and download all issues here
Thanks for Reading! Watch this space for more updates.

Open Studio 2012

Now if you don't know about it already, Corban Art Estate, where I have my studio will publicly open their doors to give you a personal experience and visitation to meet artists and see their studios. I will be among the artist who will be opening up her den to the public.. *hissss*
Don't worry, I love talking to people coming in, feel free to talk to me, ask me questions, just nothing too philosophical and confusing that make me look silly trying to sound smart while answering them.

I will be in on the Sunday 25th this weekend from 10am-4pm. Looking forward to meeting or seeing you again if I have met you before.

Now if you would like to know more about the event and much more, such as shows or onsite cafe, click on the image, to visit Corban's website. Keep checking here for more updates, will post up stuff about the opening and the show that I was apart of with lovely Selene Simcox.

Disconnect/Reconnect Revisited

Free next weekend? In a art mood? Come check out the opening of Disconnect/Reconnect Revisited happening at Depot Artspace/Gallery located in Devonport, Auckland. I will be a part of the show displaying the portraits that I have been working on lately, will also be painting live on a few days of the week if you are keen to visit. Hope to see you guys there.

New year, New self portraits

So after a few months of crazy Christmas retail (the day job) of 2011 and random vacations, I am back, with a fresh mind and eager to get back into it. So far, finished the first piece of work, so here is a partial shot of the painting, hope you like it.

A message for a friend

Beauty Meets the bizarre

Put aside this Saturday to check out the group show that I shall be apart of .. organised by Sisterdarling.. awesome artist who is a part of the Lotus project.. be prepared to be visually excited!!! This Saturday! At Depot Art Space.. be there.. or miss out!!!

Exhibition On NOW!!!

Artist: Rachael Garvey, Sin-Mae Chung (Myself) & Selene Simcox (Main organiser & Gallery 36 editor)

This past week was eventful, started hanging works on Sunday, finished Monday, worked on CVs and tie little loose ends.. to have it lead to opening night on Wednesday. The evening was awesome, finally was able to relax and can focus on our artist talk now.

So for those that are free this coming Wednesday the 31st August, drop by Mairangi if you are near, we will be having our artist talk around 7-7:30pm.

Shall post my photos soon.

Disconnect/Reconnect - exhibition August 2011

Sin-Mae Chung 2011, Close up/detail of work I will be showing.

Keep August 24, 2011 free on your calender guys. A group exhibition titled Disconnect/Reconnect organised and lead by the lovely Selene Simcox (Editor of online PDF magazine - Gallery 36) will be happening at Mairangi Arts Centre... Will keep you guys posted.

Exhibition: Disconnect/Reconnect
Artists: Selene Simcox, Rachael Garvey & Sin-Mae Chung
Date: 24 August, 2011 - 10 September, 2011
Time (Opening) : 5:30 - 24 August 2011
Where: Mairangi Art Centre
20 Hastings Road, Mairangi Bay, North Shore (Auckland)

I am back!

Although it has been a slight while. Just over a month, the studio space welcomes me back with a new roof and some extra water piping. Moved in last week, and have decided to take my painting in a slightly new direction. Going to ditch the Oil colours and use nice old Acrylics. Hope to post photos soon. But for now.. admire a picture I took last week.

Preparing some canvas to paint on - Acrylic Gesso

Temporary work space

So some minor set back in making some works. Seems there have been scheduled work to be done on the roofs of our studio spaces.. So I have temporarily moved my work space back home. Will be at home for 3-4 weeks.. hopefully by then I will have some more interesting works to update with.

Fresh project, fresh works.

For those who know me and for those who follow me closely would notice that I am not particularly a painter painter.. but really.. I tend to lean towards a Multi-media practice. However, with an upcoming group show happening late August this year, I will be working on a series of paintings which hopefully by then, I would have generated enough to achieve the effect.

The painting is unfinished and is done with oil paint. However after this piece I will ditch oils and start over again with Acrylic paints, as I feel it will let me be more expressive than using oils. But here is the first self portrait so far... (The images start with most recent to the beginning)... Enjoy:

Will take a final picture and post it up once it is done. Since if I ditch the idea of oils it would mean I probably wont use this painting in the show. So hopefully I get that done soon and I update sooner.

It started with a Spoon

So, it has been a week into the month of March and this means another update.
Within the first two months and a bit of this year, already things have been quite eventful. I had my first ever solo show which took place at Corban's Estate, located in Henderson. Invited to witness a awesome artist at work. And been out and about checking out some awesome shows and events. First, lets reflect on the show.




The year started off with a work load. Clay sculptures, drawing, Peeling, sticking, framing, burning, filming, fire proofing, inhaling it all, trying to avoid fainting. All for the sake of art. Things were to be handed in on the 24th Jan and ready for opening night on the Thursday the 26th. The show would go on for a month, and was taken down on the 28th of Feb.

The view on the first wall after you enter, oh yeah!!!

My show was located in the first room on the right as you walked into the main gallery of Corban's. Titled It Started with a Spoon, the project focused on the idea of utilising a mundane object or tool (a fixed concept on use for it) and turning it into different forms of art of thought and visual processes (which I hoped would have brought about and altered perceptions of its function).

Video Still image, one of the videos exhibited in the show.

In result of the processes, I produced video, sculpture of hands, spoon installation, drawing and other experimental works seen in the show.

View from the ground, spoon installation - '99 spoons'

There was a sweet turn out for the opening night, with great support from friends and fellow art fanatics of whom I met during study and those I met way after graduation. Caught up with Leigh Ogier from Friends of the Auckland gallery, it had been ages since I had seen her, she showed me great support from the end of my high school days and throughout university.

Fellow ex-Whitecliffe graduates and myself posing for a photo. Love the support!

But since then the show has brought about some great feedback, which I was pretty happy about. Art for art sake! Makes myself feel a slight bit more accomplished as an emerging artist.

Toni helping me set up my show, sneaky shot.

Thank you Toni for helping me set up the show, and thanks to Lisa and CEAC for offering me this opportunity and space to have this show! These guys are amazing, such awesome support and kindness!




Eclipse - Open Air festival (Drum and Bass DJ performances outdoors).

Writing my name in the air!

Several weeks ago I had the honor of being invited to witness an amazing artist - Jun Arita (Winner of NZ Redbull stereopticon competition 2010 & E-cube illustrator) paint live at a Drum and Bass open air event called Eclipse. The weekend was filled with bubble blowing fun, crazy picture taking, light play, long drives, great conversations in the car, and nature/country loving goodness. Although the night did start out rocky with injury which couldn't have come in the worse possible time and scenario... but Jun did managed to finish his work eventually.

Our little team of loose creative farts. Barbra, Jun & Jared

The setting sun and view from our camp site.

What Barbra and I did after dark, before seeing the show.

The group of Drum and Bass lovers @ the main stage.

The next day, Jun Arita working on his masterpiece.

First Thursdays - March 2011

Last week, another great event took place on K'Road ... First Thursdays. Organised by the lovely Cleo Barnett, Meghan Geliza & Lauren Orlina, the event only gets better every time. With this event having fashion shows, opera, interactive works, more live painting, bigger craft stores and more venues to uphold the events reputation. With this event only being the fifth, First Thursdays has come a long way since Cleo started it in December 2009 with it only being in St Kevin's Arcade... now.. the event has venues such as Te Karanga Gallery, Rebel Yell, Verona Cafe, Iron Bank and Cross st.

@ Iron Bank looking up to see Opera singer, sitting down was Cleo Barnett & artist Michael Kennedy

The first place I had to stop by was the original venue of the event, St Kev's to check out all the awesome crafts, jewellery, tea towels, prints, shirts... an arty shopper's heaven!!!! Of course I walked out with some wicked Mario Brother's little Mushroom creature earrings and some batman shaped studs for a friend (by Danielle Yuen), a long with a tea towel printed by Boe Busch. But after that, I was on a mission, a mission that I always do, run around snapping pictures!

Askew One, live painting on infamous poster truck.

Wondered around and found myself @ Iron bank, checking out Opera singing, then found myself participating in some interactive panting.. sorta like wish/hope little paintings which will be hung @ Mayer Park. Wondered down to Cross st to find live painting on the infamous poster truck by Askew One, also live radio broadcasting by KFM.

In front of Rebel Yell, two of the Organisers Meghan and Cleo.

Wondered back to St Kevin's to discover there was Rebel Yell, went in to check out the neat exhibition with 3D works and 3D glasses to view them with. That was sponsored by lovely Tiger Beer. Along in the same corridor was a mini Auckland Zinefest, and Chemical Brother music being played (very appropriate since I went to the concert the night before).

Boe Busch behind her stall @ St Kevin's Arcade. Screen printed shirts and other items

Sadly after being lost in the variety of awesome stuff.. I MISSED THE FASHION SHOW!!! argh... would of loved to witness First Thursday's first fashion show event!

View from the stairs of Iron Bank, slow shutter, The White Wall in a blur

As the night approached its end, First Thursdays showcased a band named Heart Attack Alley whom performed @ Iron Bank. The stage broke out into a field of dancing and embrace. Performers of The White Wall showed their fluid-bodily movements in front of audiences. A wicked combination of two art forms to end the night with.

Breaking out into dance while Heart Attack Alley played live

I congratulate Cleo, Lauren and Meghan for another awesome and yet successful event. You guys are hard working and it is such a great pay off. Only a great turn out is a sign on the amount of hard work, passion and love put into organising this. This can only get better every time!

Lauren & I posing with Myspace camera styles

And so, I end this blog here. As time goes on I hope to keep updating with more events and exciting news! I thank those who has supported me with the show.. and I congratulate Jun, Cleo, Meghan and Lauren on their exciting successes!!!


Check out these links below:

Corban's Art Estate - http://www.ceac.org.nz/
Pop Artist, Jun Arita - http://www.junarita.com/
First Thursdays - http://www.firstthursdays.co.nz/
Artist, Meghan Geliza - http://www.sisterdarling.com/
Jewellery, Danielle Yuen - http://planetrawr.co.nz/
Artist, Screen Printing expert, Boe Busch - http://www.rodayobusk.co.nz/