It was all about the fellers last weekend; from Spiral Gallery’s opening of  Blokes, to Matthew Jones at Ivy Hill, to Merrick Fry at Mister Jones in Bermagui…

Proceedings kicked off with some goose-stepping from the Art Police, aka Andrew Gray from SEAR, who officially opened the Spiral show with good serve of comedic stick…

 

 

 

…which was seriously entertaining – and what a relief to see a healthy injection of humour in the yarts for once. Should be more of it, darlings.

So it was a triff opening all round, with the crowd literally spilling out into the street…

 

 

…and the overall tenor of the event  proving a particularly effective way to coax the menfolk out for an evening of cultural fare (…that esky full of VB tinnies being a deft touch.) The sheila’s must’ve been outnumbered three to one – quite a strange, though welcome, phenomenon.

Perhaps our fave work was Mike Petersen’s gorgeous weaving (what a fabulous counterpose for a blacksmith) and we also liked the ‘battle of Waterloo’ slant of Liam Ryan’s painting. [If the subject hadn’t been (g)AFL, we might have been tempted to purr-chase, n(Ed)]

And then on Saturday we finally made it to Ivy Hill, where we’d made a date with Rach to catch Matthew Jones’ exhibition…

 

 

…before meandering up to Bermagui for the latest opening at new contemporary art space, mister jones (the self-same Matthew’s other great work in progress.) 

Only the second exhibition since the launch of the gallery, the show Talewind featured the work of Sydney artist Merrick Fry, which/whom we found instantly appealing (both the art and the artist) – not the least for its kitschy assemblage of notional seafaring narratives…

 

Merrick Fry, See-saw

Merrick’s a chappie who can mix his metaphors with the best of ’em. And as you possibly know, we have always been rather keen on subversive takes on glass (Merrick’s certainly not shy about slipping in the odd bit of plastic!)

 

(above) Merrick Fry’s work.

Really very cool.

Matthew has since sent us the following blurb…

Talewind

Seafaring assemblage and works on paper by Merrick Fry.

Mister Jones, Bermagui’s new contemporary art space, opened it’s second exhibition on Saturday night: a witty collection of works on handmade ricepaper and linen – and intriguing assemblages from found materials – by inimitable Annandale artist, Merrick Fry.

Using materials as diverse as lampshades, teacups, plastic toys and false fingernails, Fry constructs bottled dioramas and imagined maritime narratives in a palette of peacock green. He bravely walks the knife-edge of kitsch and saccharine with his tongue firmly in cheek. But beneath the self-conscious prettiness of bobbing, fairytale vessels, lurks always a violent and malevolent sea.

The opening was another well-attended street gathering for Bermagui, with viewers travelling from as far as Sydney for the event. But for those who missed the opening, Merrick Fry’s work will show at Mister Jones for the months of May and June, at 2/4 Bunga Street, Bermagui.

 

                       

 

(above) Shambala (with her attendant human) has been a most consistant and discerning visitor to mister jones

Cheers Matthew!!

For more snaps go here.