Tag Archives: Ben Frost

Ben Frost – The Perfect Drug

by Roly

Our favourite pop-bashing Aussie artist, Ben Frost, launches his latest solo show, The Perfect Drug, in Singapore.

In an exploration of social obsessions and relationships with mass-consumerism, Frost questions products we’ve grown up loving, whilst harbouring addictions for.

Painting directly onto fast food and pharmaceutical packaging, Frost plays with themes of sex, drugs and the darker side of popular culture.

The show runs from 22nd Feb – 18th March 2013 at Kult Gallery, Emily Hill, Blk C2-5, 11 Upper Wilkie Rd, Singapore 228120

www.kult.com.sg

www.benfrostisdead.com

VNA Issue 20 – Everything you need to know..

by Ro

Very Nearly Almost is proud to release its twentieth issue. After six years and hundreds of artists featured, issue 20 is brought to you with an extra 32 pages, bigger and better than ever. This 164-page beast is brimming with features and beautiful images from some of the most talented artists in the world and the cover is graced by a living legend; the one and only Retna.

Producing some of the most visually stunning street art in recent history, Retna explains his signature style and the intricate processes behind his work. Not content with featuring one of the most exciting artists from across the pond we’ve also got interviews with the USA’s master of eco-surrealism painting Josh Keyes, the infamous skateboarding graffiti artist Neckface and the master of mystical worlds Greg Simkins.

No issue would be complete without an Australian artist and this time round we caught up with the man behind some of the most controversial pop-art and mash-up paintings, Ben Frost. But as usual we’ve also packed in some talented Brits in the forms of Guy Mckinley, with his anime-inspired characters and photographer Will Robson-Scott. Alongside them are chats with graffiti king Smash137 of Switzerland, street artists Ozmo and Above and German newcomer DeeDeeKid.

Alternative Covers & Limited Editions

To celebrate the release of this milestone issue, VNA 20 will be available with two alternative covers; one, gold, is exclusive to our web store and subscribers, while the other, black and white, will be available through our network of stockists. Pre-orders of the online copy will be available to buy from 11th October and will be sent out on 12th October.

As always there is a screen-printed edition of the magazine, with artwork designed by Retna, 100 of which will be available at our London launch party alongside a screen-printed envelope and limited edition postcards. 20 of these limited packs will be up for grabs through an online lottery, and 30 screen printed magazines will be sent out at random to those purchasing copies of VNA 20 through our website.

To register your interest in the online lottery please send an email to LTD@verynearlyalmost.com – images of the limited edition coming soon.

Please join us at Moniker Art Fair at Village Underground on Friday 12th to celebrate the release of this issue.

Check out some of what VNA 20 has to offer..

More after the drop
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MAN UP

by Ro

One of our favourite Aussie girls, Deb, is putting on a monochromatic melee of art in the name of Prostate Cancer awareness. MAN UP is a show featuring all-male artists from across the globe, all artwork is up for sale, with 100% of the proceeds going towards the Cancer Council’s work on research, prevention and treatment of Prostate Cancer.

The exhibition features work from:

Doors Open: 6pm 11th October, aMBUSH Gallery.

Show continues: 12th Oct – 14th Oct 12-4pm.

manupexhibition.webs.com
twitter.com/iheartdeb
deb.net.au
ambushgallery.com

MAN UP is a part of DEB’S 16 week intensive fundraising efforts for PROSTATE CANCER follow her here: www.facebook.com/IHEARTDEB

Donate here: vic.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/abcdeb

The Hours

by Samuel2hats

Sydney based artists Beastman, Marty Routledge & Numskull have joined forces to form a new venture -’The Hours’. They will be combining their talents and skills together to present a wide range of art based creative projects, exhibitions and ideas to the public. To celebrate the launch of this new creative enterprise the trio are holding a launch party this Friday in Sydney at The Tate. More information can be found below and at thehours.com.au

Black & White All In Between

by Samuel2hats

Doctor Dboe & aMBUSH Present: Black & White All In Between

The latest all-star instalment at aMBUSH involves a stripped-back selection of exclusive works from 67 international artists. Hand-picked, the artists have been chosen from a range of street, fine art, illustrative and graffiti backgrounds. Usually known for their bright, colourful work, the concept presents a new challenge; to work outside of their comfort zone and produce pieces focusing on composition, form and tone.

Show opens at aMBUSH Gallery, 4A James Street, Waterloo (Sydney) Friday, 31 August 6-9pm | Continues 1 & 2 September 12-4pm daily

For more information please visit www.ambushgallery.com

Red Bull Curates

by Samuel2hats

Really nice new video from Red Bull Curates featuring art from Ben Frost, Bei Badgirl, Copyright, Bridge Stehli, Numskull and Hayden Kays who all had work featured at the SUPERPOPMAGICSHOW! a couple of months ago. Check it!

Skel – Can you kick it?

by Samuel2hats

Melissa ‘Skel’ Jaksic is a legend. She recently painted Oxford Art Factory alongside Shannon Crees, Alex Lehours, Anthony Lister and Sprinkles for the VNA launch in Sydney. Her creative projects include work for Absolut, Outpost, Paste Modernism and Secret Wars (now Secret Walls). She also helps run Ben Frost’s online print store, Stupid Krap, in her spare time. We caught her in between beers for a look at how she gets her kicks…

‘Skel’ means, basically, a bit of a lowlife, is that your persona as an artist, or your representation of what artists can be?

I got the nickname Skel from one of my crackhead friends back in my hometown. Because, at the time, I was a bit skinny and I guess they thought they were being crafty, seeing as I was Skeleton-like and it rhymed with Mel. It wasn’t until one of my friends linked me to the definition of Skel on Urban Dictionary that I saw it had all these alternate worldly meanings that, funnily enough, still applied to me as a person. I think everyone has the capacity to be a bit of a lowlife, and my work generally focuses on the darker side of people’s psyches, so I guess Skel is more a representation of what people can and sometimes want to be, but can’t because of societal pressures. The Dr. Jekyll to my Mr. Hyde I guess…

More jump off after the jump off

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Sidewayz – Call To Artists

by Samuel2hats

Back in 2007, a charity art exhibition called Sidewayz was put together. It was a massive success, with the 2008 exhibition opening to a huge audience at MTV Galleries. Brad Eastman (Beastman) originally curated the show, with around 65 artists from across Australia, along with a handful of international submissions.

More jump off after the jump off

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Global Gallery Auction

by Samuel2hats

Global Gallery, Sydney, present the Gala Auction. Works up for grabs include paintings, prints and sculptures from some of the worlds most iconic artists, rising stars and renowned street artists. With over 150 artworks up for sale from over 80 different artists, it promises to be a big night in a fresh space.

Featuring work from Anthony Lister, Ben Frost, Inkie, Ha Ha, Meggs, E.L.K, Beastman, Damien Hirst, Above, Bridge Stehli, Shannon Crees, Robin John, Justin Feuerring and more, the auction is currently previewing. Drinks start from 5pm and bidding kicks off at 6.30pm, Tuesday 24th April at Global Gallery. Phone bids and absentee bids will also be available for those unable to attend.