Berlin Derlin
September 22, 2007
Frustrated with the lack of galleries featuring art that he liked and constantly confronted by street advertising Andrew Mac, with three artist friends, started the Citylights project in the CBD, where light boxes were filled with artwork and illuminated throughout the city. So successful was this endeavour that a permanent gallery Until Never was later formed. Until Never gallery sits above Rutledge and Hosier Lanes the mecca for street art in Melbourne. Naturally, the gallery has a deliberate focus on contemporary and street art.
Years later, still disappointed and frustrated with the current art scene, Andrew and artist friends Stephanie Neoh and Rosie Kavanavoch (pictured) collaborated to make art they liked, and exhibited it in Until Never through August. The exhibition was called Berlin Derlin. The inspiration was that this trio were tired of all their friends leaving Melbourne for the fashionable Eastern block.
Berlin, it seems is the place to go for most young artists, and Andrew, Stephanie and Rosie aren't pleased that fellow artists are turning their back on Melbourne. Art, to them, is a state of mind, not a place. We shot this exhibition in the last hours of construction and the exhibition already had a soundtrack booming from the walls. The images and mediums were so vibrant that each installation told a brash and brazen story. Perhaps this is a new movement, or perhaps this is more likely an exhibition taking stock of a movement of artists leaving Melbourne.
Until Never gallery is open from 12 6pm Wednesday to Saturday with new exhibitions 'every month or so' so venture down this cobble stoned explosion of colour and up the rickety stairs soon to see what is new.
Text: Maryke Foeden
Photo: Jon Webb