November 30, 2012
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ARTS QUEENSLAND GRANT FOR RAYGUN

We did it. RAYGUN has operated for just over a year and we have just found out we have received an Arts Queensland grant to help operate our space for 2013. One of the best parts about it is we applied to pay each of our upcoming artists a small amount of money for their professionalism and contribution to our space. Happy Christmas Gunners. xx

PS we love the gold embossed shiny part at the top of the letter. So grown up.

November 28, 2012
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STEPHEN SPURRIER and DAVID USHER

Our December show is a joint project and collaboration between Stephen Spurrier and David Usher. Come and join us for Christmas drinks and help celebrate the wrap up for 2012.

This group of paintings reflects an ongoing collaboration between the two artists over the past two years. Both through sharing a studio and  through the mailing of works to each other from various parts of the country – thereby allowing each artist both working on each painting in a mix of environments.

The paintings reflect the ongoing inquiry by the two artists into the natural world and how we as transient humans fit into that long evolved landscape. How do we all negotiate our survival in what is sometimes a hostile environment?

November 19, 2012
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2013 at RAYGUN

January – closed

February – Harrell Fletcher (USA)

March – Thorgej Steen Hansen (Denmark)

April – Mathias Kryger  (Denmark)

May – A. Bunter Projects (Toowoomba)

June – Devon McKnight (USA)

July – exchange with ALASKA PROJECTS (Sydney)

August – Kyle Jenkins (Toowoomba)

September –Hayley French and Carla Liesch (Sydney)

October – TBA

November –Robert Derr (USA)

December – Suada Demirovic (Denmark)

November 17, 2012
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A few notes on Michael’s work.

Last night we had a question answer conversation with the visitors to RAYGUN about Michael’s work,  one of the things is demonstrated within his work is that ‘we create structures to understand things’. I find myself thinking about last nights conversation today, so I thought I would share what I can remember of the conversation…

The works physically, are large ink jet prints placed within specifically constructed boxes. The imagery is created from found materials (literally things Michael picks up) and imagery which are sourced from the internet and manipulated on a flat-bed scanner.

Michael alters the existence of the materials, and builds from their initial nature,  adapting the images with the scanner, Michael purposefully abstracts, allowing a space for re-perception and middle ground, opening our perceptions to perhaps facilitate new things, or ideas.

The ink-jet prints have a matte finish (as opposed to a gloss finish) which gives them a rich velvety finish, making the works seem like they have much more physicality than paper. Michael spoke of the importance of the Matte finish, in that it allows the nature of the scanned image to change; for example, a piece of aluminum foil used in the scanning process would have a similar quality if printed on gloss paper, but with the matte finish the foil takes on more painterly qualities. The finish of the work therefore assists in the abstraction of the imagery chosen, allowing the work to take on a new existence or nature.

By placing the prints inside specifically constructed boxes Michael alludes to structures, which we create as viewers to understand work, images, ideas, and almost everything and anything. The creation of a physical box structure for the work to exist within is an antithesis, in that it creates a ‘structure’ for lack of structure, for openness and flexibility in the perception and understanding of the work, while commenting on the ‘systems’ humanity creates.

Michael’s is working on a show upon his return to Denmark which expands this idea again, to include an element of collecting. Michael will go to building sites and ask the workers if he can have specific objects which he sees lying around, again working from existing materials to create a new reading of the objects as placed within a different system and context.

November 17, 2012
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Shaggy Dog Continued..

..and thank you for sharing the wine.. last night we had Michael’s opening night and thank you everyone for joining us. Michael graciously spoke about his work and answered questions from the audience about his practice. Toowoomba decided to turn up the heat but we managed to press on and take Michael on to another opening and more watering holes to keep things cool. We’ve loved sharing our time and look forward to catching up again soon. xx

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November 13, 2012
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SUICIDE SWANS

Did we happen to mention that the ‘Gunners’ supervisor is Kyle Jenkins from the Suicide Swans who played with his band in Brisbane out the back of Metro Arts a couple of weeks ago at the Brisbane Festival. Check out this review by Clare Kempnich at News Unlimited..Yep he’s got a beard, and he’s not the only one.

‘Out the Back’ at the Metro Arts theatre was honestly a goldmine for musical discovery. Artists such as Oliver Tank, Twerps, and Mosman Adler were amongst the talent that graced the intimate back-alley stage, but in my opinion none were as memorable as our own Suicide Swans. The Brisbane/Toowoomba band have recently come together as a stable five-piece (after sporting a rotating roster of musicians) and delivered their self-titled debut EP earlier this year.

The band: Kyle Jenkins, Ben Lancaster, Matt Doe, Kristian McIvor, and Glen O’Shea are equal parts man and beard and have an instantly appealing charm. Picking up their instruments, the band kicked things off withPlatinum Hurricane – a fast-paced tune that perfectly showcases the band’s unique mix of rock/country stylings. From the first song, I was hooked. It only took me about two minutes before I was hastily purchasing the EP from iTunes, and about thirty seconds more before I was declaring them “a fucking excellent band”. Think the likes of Ben Salter or Mike Noga, but throw in a bit of the Drones’ raucousness and you’ve got something similar to what the Suicide Swans sound like. It’s the kind of music that truly makes me feel patriotic; this is what should define the Australian music industry, in my opinion. No shit, honest, down-to-earth music; straight up.

The rest of the set is bloody brilliant – they’re swapping instruments at a rate of knots, and they truly just sound amazing. Highlights for me wereOh Any and Union – but to be honest these are just the extreme outliers of an amazing bunch of tunes. If this is just the humble beginnings for Suicide Swans, then I can’t even imagine the heights they will come to. Honestly; a shock. A shock to be so enamored by a band that I scarcely knew before seeing them live. I’ve become a true fan, and await their upcoming shows. One to watch if you’re into good music.