Read the full review and pics after the jump…
Ben Mitchell is an Australian artist, designer, writer and comic book slinger from the Australian coastal town of Newcastle.
Recently Ben published his 3rd self released comic – ‘Ghost Beach’. A beautiful object in every regard: it’s murder-mystery-meets-punk-scene narrative, unique and bold art style and art-like production quality.
Indeed, aside from all his work in the art world, Ben sees himself as an ambassador and guide to the indie comic world, for those who haven’t yet given ole funny-books a try. Something that we greatly admire.
With Ben stating,
“I like being an introduction to comics for normal people. I do live readings of my comics all the time, and I’ll usually have the panels projected onto a wall as slides while I do the dialogue and narration, and usually commentary regarding the dumb stuff I hide in the backgrounds, and people will come up to me afterwards like “Oh, I get it now!” Sometimes when people aren’t reading your comics you have to do the reading for them.“
(A photo of Ben’s most recent comic, Ghost Beach, below)
With ‘Ghost Beach’ freshly off the press and available for all of you out there to buy – which you should do, right now people! – now is the perfect time to get to know the man himself, by reading the Art Talk Interview below…
The ‘Bein Narly’ festival is on all throughout March and April this year, in multiple venues in Sydney, Australia. It is DIY + Punk as fuck and 100% Art Whore Approved!
As head curator Glenno states:
“This festival is un-apologetically D.I.Y. – arts and craft, folk art (art that folks like) irreverent and heartfelt (low-brow if you like) and just fun in general. The core of this festival is a handful of amazing sponsors – no government funds – no waiting for things to magically happen – no huge axes to grind – some small but strong venues – a few volunteers and a whole heap of focussed enthusiasm.“
Well we thought it would be good to find out more about ‘Bein Narly’ by speaking to the show’s aforementioned curator, the ever epic Glenno – so we shot him a few questions about art in general and the ‘Bein Narly’ festival specifically.
(Photo below of a deliriously happy Glenno)
Read all about it below…
Andrew J Heffron is a Canadian artist, designer, prop maker, special effects wizard and toy creator who first came to ‘Art Whore’s attention thanks to his ‘Lab Monkey Number 9’ persona.
As ‘LMN9’ Andrew creates beautifully crafted resin toys. Under his own name however, is were Andrew’s other talents appear – working with world renowned toy company ‘Spin Master’, designing props for international TV shows, and releasing highly decorative sculptural works.
Indeed, as Andrew states, he has art in his very bones!
I’ve been a creative creature since I was very little. I need to create or I break! I get all squirrelly and grumpy if I don’t lol
It’s just in my heart and soul to make.
I can’t stop.
(A photo below of Andrew workinging on a large sculpture)
So, as Andrew exists as a constantly bubbling cauldron of artistic endevour – now is the perfect time to get to know the man, and his many varied creations, by reading the Art Talk Interview below…
Natalie Michelle Watson is an Australian artist, designer and cartoonist who first came to our attention thanks to her lovingly self made magazine ‘Drongo’ – released under her ‘Drongo Press’ label.
Natalie, ‘Drongo’ and her art are unashamed with their sense of pride and nostalgia in Australian culture of the past – sentiments that we at ‘Art Whore’ wholeheartedly support!
With Natalie herself stating:
“Well I guess I started ‘Drongoʼ because I missed the old kiddy mags I used to read in the 90s.
I guess itʼs a nostalgic adultʼs response to Americanisation and the death of Australian culture. I remember, I had a little “Dinky Diary” in primary school, with kangaroos and koalas on it. I collected Oddbodz, and ‘Max Altitudeʼ memorabilia from Qantas. I loved ‘The Feralsʼ… I watched everything I loved about Australia slowly heave and die in the wake of globalisation.
‘Drongoʼ is the most Australian word I could think of, and is my way of attempting to claw back to that time, if only for a moment.“
(Photo below of Natalie reading an issue of ‘Drongo’)
With Natalie working on both issue number 4 of ‘Drongo’ and her new creation ‘Show Dogs’ we thought now was the perfect time to get to know just how rad both Natalie and her art are, by reading the Art Talk Interview below…
Elliot is an Australian artist, designer, director, animator, curator, vandal and head of the world famous ‘Loser Unit’ crew.
We at Art Whore feel that not only is Elliot himself making some of the most important art in Australia right now, his work as a scene builder with his ‘Loser Unit’ crew elevates him to pure Art-Mensch status. The man can do it all himself, and pushes others to do the same.
In summery – Elliot is a veritable Sad Boy Andy Warhol for these internet-everywhere-and-everything times.
Beginning as a zine in Perth, Western Australia – ‘Loser Unit’ quickly became an artistic force. A multi member crew producing art shows, murals, videos and more. All done under the watchful eye of Elliot himself. As Elliot has grown, so too has ‘Loser Unit’ and the artists within it.
Symbiotic style.
(Photo below of a ‘Loser Unit’ crew tattoo)
And what about Elliot himself? Well having recently moved from his hometown of Perth, to the larger city of Melbourne (in Victoria) we thought it now would be a good time to pick his brain about it all… art, life, graffiti, computer games, memes and much more.
So without further ado, get to know Elliot and ‘Loser Unit’ by reading his Art Talk interview below…
Moss Kief is an Australian artist bringing equal parts humour and rage to the masses with his graff, music and illustrations. Far from being commercial, or part of any real art scene, Moss creates the art he wants to create, for himself and his friends.
Or as the man himself states:
I wouldn’t describe myself as an artist, I’m just a cunt who listens to too much Cannibal Corpse and can draw at a competent level.
And the result? Works that are unique, brutal and beautiful. Touching upon some of the greats of art history such as Goya and Raymond Pettibon.
So without further ado, get to know ole Moss – both the art and the man, by reading his interview below…
Wilfred Brandt is an American born, Australian based writer, academic, artist, musician and all round good guy.
And why are we speaking with Wilfred today? Well we at ‘Art Whore’ feel it is important to showcase the thoughts, musings and general opinions of people involved in the art scene, who are not known for their art; indeed they may not even make art at all. People such as curators, brand owners, journalists, DJs, academics etc.
Why? Well if capital “A” Artists are the front line soldiers of the culture wars, people such as Wilfred are the sergeants. The generals. The 2nd line warriors directing, forming groups, making plans and taking the culture from the front lines, right into people’s psyche back on the home front.
Wilfred is most definitely such a figure.
Indeed, Wilfred is a veritable culture dandy: He has studied fine art, been involved in the zine world, played in bands, and is a well regarded journalist – writing for ‘Vice’ magazine in the early to mid 2000s, and since then for a slew of other well known publications such as ‘Yen’, ‘The Age’, ‘ANP Quarterly’, ‘EMPTY’, ‘PaperPlane’, ‘Dazed’,’Head Full of Snakes’, ‘Summer/Winter’, ‘They Shoot Homos Don’t They?’ and ‘DNA.’
(Photo below of Wilfred as a kid)
So, in an effort to learn, pass on some knowledge and generate discussion we sat down with Mr. Brandt and mined his knowledgeable brain for his thoughts on art, skateboarding, music, punk, life in Australia and a whole lot more.
Read it all, below…
Read the full review and pics after the jump…