News from culture + shop + gallery

May 2008

CULTURE + SHOP + GALLERY NEWS
for culture vultures...

Dear Friend,

Welcome to our very first newsletter, where we hope to keep you abreast of all that's new and stimulating at Culture.

We've just hit our 6 month anniversary and are pleased to have been able to support a diverse group of Australian artists and designers. We're particularly thrilled with the response to our home grown talent. A rich, diverse and talented resource.

You may have noticed that things at Culture don't stay the same for very long. That's partly due to the fact that our wares are often original, one off or exclusive, and partly because we're easily bored. We're keen to show you the width and breadth of contemporary arts practice. It may not always be to your taste, but it should always be stimulating, as various sub-cultures around the coast make themselves known to us. Viva la difference people!

current exhibition

We are pleased to have installed a selection of works we've entitled "Confluence of the Birds". A most welcome injection of colour into the space, inspired by our feathered friends. Confluence of the birds, is a play on words of the famous Persian poem and play "Conference of the Birds", an epic tale where one of each species of bird set out on an arduous journey to see the "Simorgh" (think Wizard of Oz in bird-land). Each bird possesses some distinctly human foible or trait, preventing all but a few from completing their journey.

Our fascination with birds begins in childhood for most of us, usually ending abruptly with some sort of disastrous flying experiment. Fragile, unattainable and capable of soaring to great heights; I wish that were the frame of reference behind various ornithological synonyms bestowed upon women, I suspect the truth is far more sinister (ie misogynistic). Bird brained, feather brained, chicks, chooks and old ducks alike unite!

Meaghan Shelton

The domestic and the fantastic are equally encapsulated in the exquisite girly offerings of Meaghan Shelton, in mixed media, sculpture, painting, and jewellery. Her works are frivolous yet epic, natural and artificial.

Amos Duggan

The male perspective hasn't been completely ignored in the pecking order, thanks to a series of sensitive paintings by Amos Duggan entitled "Portraits of Humanity", human forms with bird like almost totemic heads, explore the parallels between bird and human social interactions.

Sally Garret

We are also pleased to have snuck in a couple of works by popular local painter Sally Garret, who we hope to see more of later in the year. If you're in Brisbane check out her current exhibition Wallpaper at the Doggett St Gallery until 24th May.

what else is new?

Antlitz

Antlitz are the super cool Sydney duo producing a new range of earrings and uni-sex pendants. Using a special photo etched alloy, the pendants are water and scratch proof, The pendants are light and robust with simple and effective designs on unisex dog tag or fine silver chains. Priced from $45- $99

Irish Willow
Irish Willow is the latest local treasure we've discovered. A textile and glass artist, her jewellery is extremely eclectic. Her lampwork beads are gorgeous, each hand formed bead is strung differently depending on the mood and flavour of the source bead.

Currently on display are a small range of small glass goddesses finished with silk cords, leather or gold wire, each a different size shape and colour, just like real women! Please ask if you would like to see the rest of her impressive range, which we have stashed out the back, until we can make some more room!