ESPIONAGE: A CUT ABOVE II

(Gallery Director Joshua Smith and his piece 'World's Apart #2')

The Espionage Gallery opened its show ‘A Cut Above II’ on Thursday 7^th June. The show features some of the best national and international stencil artists, including all of the Australian Stencil Art Prize Winners.  Three weeks ago I had no idea what stencil art was – I have since learnt very quickly and begun to really appreciate it. Gallery Director Joshua Smith showed me all the cut stencils he used to make one small artwork. The process is definitely very intricate and fascinating! (If you, like me three weeks ago, don't know what stencil art is I suggest you google it - wiki is always good at answering these sorts of questions. 

('Double Miracle' by REM)

My favourite piece in the show was ‘Double Miracle’ by Adelaide artist REM (above). He has used very different materials to create the piece – red wine on white carpet with the image of Jesus. This was extremely clever and although the art itself was not anymore detailed that other pieces the medium really lifted its profile.  The piece was only $120 so it obviously sold very quickly, however, he will also have work in the next exhibition at Espionage, which starts on June 21^st.

A few more of my favourite artists at the show were Fletch (also from Adelaide), 23^rd Key from Melbourne and Manchester Artist Irek Tankpetrol.

One collection of pieces by Fletch are his ‘Humanimals.’ I enjoy how they are framed and grouped together – but I also like how you can buy a piece of artwork for a bargain $33! (Although I would prefer to purchase the whole collection if I had the money).

('Humanimals')

23^rd Key painted one of my other favourite pieces at the exhibition - 'Face Off'. This is probably because I have a deep-entrenched obsession with skulls.

('Face Off')

Finally, Irek Tankpetrol had a couple of pieces that featured hot girls covered in tattoos. My friend purchased his piece ‘Vikki Blows’ – a quite appropriate name for the painting I think.

('Vikki Blows')

All in all the ‘A Cut Above II’ is an amazing exhibition. It finished on the 21^st of June and I would greatly advise you head along to have a look. 

Espionage Gallery is situated at Suite 1, Level 2, 93 Rundle Mall, Adelaide.