Scouts Honour

Thanks to the guys at CCAS for the entirety of these words:

On Friday evening a number of artists and art fans assembled at the O’Connor Scout Hall for a good ol’ fashioned DIY exhibition: Double Hitch. When Fiona Veikkanen first told us about the exhibition we got a little excited, because when emerging artists make their own opportunities the results can be pretty incredible. And what a group of artists. Not only were there two current CCAS studio residents in the show (Fiona Veikkanen and Bettina Hill), there were also three former residents (Tim Dwyer, Chris Carmody and Adam Veikkanen) plus Luke Penders, Poppy Malik and Hannah Bath. Double Hitch did not disappoint- a few interactive artworks (including Chris’ Ball Game with Picture Frames and Hannah’s interactive wallpaper) and some intriguing interventions in the space (including Bettina’s fireplace and Fiona’s warm woolen heaters) made the scout hall come alive as a space for interaction, fun and warmth. It didn’t feel like an ordinary exhibition: the artworks complemented and even referenced the space and its scout hall paraphernalia instead of the usual artworks-in-white-space-formula; and the audience became giddy kids, completely engrossed in looking, colouring in and playing, and happy to simply hang out at the cosy old hall with a cup of hot soup. We’re keen to see some more group DIY exhibitions, and soup is always welcome! Annika reporting from O’Connor 

More to be found at the  CCAS Social Pages- there may even be a photo of you.

Is it Art? Is it some kind of Scout handicraft?

Is it Art? Is it some kind of Scout handicraft?  

Chris, Drew and Ruby viewing Coin Collection (1966-2010) by Chris Carmody and Hannah Bath.

Street View of the O'Connor Scout Hall during the show.  Photo: Adam Veikkanen

Paintings, Banners, ball games, knots and engravings.  Paper signs, wooden pieces, woollen blankets, cardboard boxes, colouring in, TVs, and a wasp's nest in the corner. 

Many of the bits and pieces you might expect to find at a scout hall, except last weekend hundreds of people came down to O'Connor Scout Hall to check it all out.

(More photos to follow in the days to come!)

Double Hitch

Double Hitch is the rumoured group show in a scout hall that fellow artist (and a bit more) Adam Veikkanen and I are putting together -it is now a reality and should be written into diaries!

Roping together installation, drawing, sculpture, video and music, Double Hitch is an exhibition featuring works by eight emerging artists who have studied at the ANU School of Art, and who have all grown up in Canberra. Using materials found in their homes, on the streets, in the scrub, at the op-shop, each artist ties together their ideas of warmth, community, friendship and reminiscences of a childhood spent in the suburbs of Canberra.

This exhibition, held inside the heritage-listed O’Connor Scout Hall and away from the traditional gallery space, welcomes all members of the public to view the work and become entangled with their local artists and welcomed into Canberra’s thriving art scene.

Featuring works by:

Adam Veikkanen
Fiona Veikkanen*
Bettina Hill*
Hannah Bath
Chris Carmody
Tim Dwyer
Poppy Malik
 Luke Penders.

Opening Night Friday 29^th of April, 6pm.

Continues Saturday 30^th and Sunday 1^st from 10am until 5pm.

O’Connor Scout Hall: Cnr Boronia Drive and Hovea Street, O’Connor.

*Both Fiona Veikkanen and Bettina Hill are currently residents of CCAS.

You Are Here Festival -Here and There Artist Sweat Shop

Working 9-5 for three days straight (or there about) a number of Canberra artists made the most of an empty shop front and came together to mass produce art within these set time and space restraints. 

Getting into a rhythm I snipped away for hour upon hour, a couple of my woollen blankets no longer quite so woolly.

As art makers clocked off at five on Saturday Afternoon the work was arranged into a tidy little exhibition.

The Sweat Shop- work finished, exhibition beginning.

Woollen Blanket 2- (A decent days work)

Woollen Blanket 1 and 2- (install shot.)

Wonder Wool Under Way

art under way. March, 2011.

Much thanks to all who have contributed to the Unwanted Woolies Wonder Muster! Art is in the making. Your wool is making this possible. (woollen items still accepted) 

Unwanted Woolies Wonder Muster

I am collecting 100% woollen knits of all colours and designs to create a massive community knit artwork.

 I would love your participation.

 If you have any unwanted woollens no matter how worn, you can send them this way to a very grateful recipient.

 Please contact me as soon as possible to arrange collection.

The Chain Gang Exhibition

The Chain Gang Exhibition- install shot, 16 December 2010

Running only for one weekend, The Chain Gang Exhibition is located in an empty shopfront/office space above King O'Malleys in the city centre. The exhibition is comprised of painting, photos, installation, music, video and sculpture. As the space is just about to go under renovation the owner was happy for us to paint, drill, cut, rearrange, rip up, and alter to our heart's content.