MIAMI/ MIAMI : October 7th - 21st 2017  [Solo Exhibition]

The Walls Art Space, Miami, Gold Coast.

MIAMI/MIAMI is a cross-cultural project between two cities that share similarities and differences.  Miami (QLD) and Miami (FL). Both run under the slogans that tempt and encourage tourism, as these two cities were made on Sun, Sand and Surf and the Holiday aesthetic.  Built environments, towering apartments, seaside ornamentals and motifs that reflect a carefree vacation.  All of these characteristics portray the essence of what it might feel, look, sound and taste like in these man-built fantasylands.

An inaugural international exchange, MIAMI/MIAMI initiates a new collaboration between Gold Coast artist Byron Coathup and artist-run initiative Obsolete Media Miami, from the other Miami (Florida/USA).

 

'Four Pilars of Democracy' 2017 [Collaboration with Rebecca Ross]

2970 Degrees Conference, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. QLD [Curated by Not Yet Its Difficult & David Pledger]

An Act of Showing: Rethinking Artist-Run Initiatives Through Place (2017):

Testing Grounds, Melbourne. VIC //  Curated by Anabelle Lacroix. Collaboration with The Walls Art Space, Miami, Gold Coast.

Artwork:  Blue Into Gold (GC Magnets) 2017 with accompanying essay by Danni Zuvela & Rebecca Ross (The Walls)

Click Here for the Essay;  Blue Into Gold (2017)

Bureau of Returns (2016):

Group Exhibition:  Hotelling // Novemeber 2016 QT Hotels, Surfers Paradise. QLD

Curated by David Pledger & Bleach Arts

A hand built display cabinet of hotel souvenir’s that lost souls have taken, borrowed and returned.  In pure short term gain items from hotels are often stolen or borrowed. These items are returned accompanied with handwritten letters expressing empathy, acceptance, forgiveness and to ward off ‘Bad Luck’ that had befallen the taker. 

CULTURE SCULPTURE // 2016

Group Exhibition:  Made In Qld: Ode to the Souvenir // February 2016

Gold Coast City Gallery

Culture sculpture is a term I use to describe objects and destinations that builds content and atmosphere for a city like the Gold Coast.  They build our culture and make what the Gold Coast is – Queensland’s ultimate playground.  From the golden beaches through to our city center’s and out towards the hinterland rainforests, the Gold Coast is a very unique and opportunistic place for tourists and locals.  The Gold Coast prides itself on a staged landscape that for fill’s every visitor’s hopes and dreams of a relaxing and unique holiday destination.

 I have been inspired to find where our true cultural souvenirs lie.  A series of small advertisement’s and classifies from late 1950s and 60s print collateral, such as Magazines, holiday pamphlets, souvenirs and postcards. By redesigning and contemporising this information, I wish to put the bricks and mortar of local businesses, personnel, services and accommodation at the forefront of our souvenir culture.  These are the places where locals and tourists gather on common ground and find these unique treasures and experiences that people collect to take home.

 I am intrigued by these advertisements typographic choices, simple formations and graphic iconography.  The clashing font styles and hierarchy seems to generate this true sense of nostalgia in a time where technology didn’t allow for mistakes and typographic composition had a set order.  Some might also find these formations hip and refreshing, particularly in a time where modernised nostalgia is cool again.  This remixed information leads us to scroll our eyes over each column and consider what is old and new, and where you might find these souvenir treasures. 

MADE IN QLD: THE CULTURE SHOP

Bleach Festival // 4th-20th March 2016

Collaboration: Bleach Festival + Gold Coast City Gallery + The Strand

Coinciding with the Gold Coast City Gallery exhibition, Made In Qld: Ode to the Souvenir, this pop-up shop was co-curated by myself and the gallery to act as a modern day souvenir store.  12 local artists from different artistic backgrounds were invited to design, make and manufacture small run souvenir products about the Gold Coast. 

The space was designed and built by myself from recycled timber pallets and run over the span of the Bleach Festival's 3 week program. This project seeks to discuss an urgency to reinvent the Gold Coast Tourist Booth and the new possibilities for souvenirs to become new and interesting - particularly with the coming of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in sight.  All artist participating offered their time to sit in the shop and sell products and discuss such ideas among the public. 

Miami Ice (Demolition) Video / 2014

Exhibited:  'Fibro Coast'  Gold Coast City Gallery, Qld. 2014