Saturday, December 5, 2009
So humbled today - thank you, Leon and Julie
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time for Stefan Maguran to shut up!
In such a relatively short time, my life went from an efficient project manager contributing to the Great Move to China and India, to a single-minded person organizing an Outsiders festival in Adelaide (just pause a bit and think about the enormity of this task!).
Anyhow, it is over, the show is just a few days away, it will be open by Olga Sankey, Senior Lecturer in Visual Arts at the University of South Australia, and I will let the works and artists speak for themselves.
It took a lot of hard work, a lot of money, and the benefit for me is that it is happening much better than expected.
I made so many friends along the way.
I will mention Julie Stephens for her kindness and support, Angela Polglaze, for driving her truck all the way from Melbourne, in desperate need as a result for some cash to fix it to be able to move on, Mike Retter for his help with the video production, is spite of his personal dramas, and everybody who has helped and you know who you are.
Thank you, and although I did not mention everybody, please believe me I love you all.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Curriculum Vitae and the Naked Truth
First, because I should hide my age.
I say, it's time to grow up, go back to finish your basic education. learn some good old respect for the elderly, then come back and let's talk again. If at your age you don't value experience, wait until you get there and don't be surprised if people treat you like trash. I hope we're clear on this front.
And don't try to give me the crap about not being able to learn and adapt or being too slow at my age. Like you, I am on Facebook and Twitter and watch Scrubs, but unlike you, I can also program any remote controlled devices. As you have already proven, you still struggle with spelling "Principal" (Read your recent ad: "Principle Engineer required, bla, bla")
Second, to hide my artistic endeavours.
Well, I've got some news for you. If a potential employer is so dumb that she/he cannot understand that while unemployed I painted about 400 paintings, learned how to paint, draw, and sculpt and organised a festival, which shows my enthusiasm, energy, time and people management skills, and, of course some artistic talent, which indicates a higher degree of usage of my available brain, then I don't believe I would want a job with that employer.
So, pull out your head from your little (and I might add, cute) ass, and grow up. It's for your own good.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
So humbled today
Mike Retter
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
unfknblvbl
I wanted to apply for a grant with the Helpmann Academy for the catalogue of the Outsiders Festival. Then, I was told that I was not eligible, as I was not enrolled in the BVAD course. Explanation below:
"You are enrolled in single subjects for the BVAD but you are not enrolled officially in the degree as you need to apply through SATAC for that. We do offer some units as single subjects in the degree if there are spaces but as a single subject category in that situation you are not enrolled officially in the degree. I know it is a bit complicated but that is the situation."
Today, I have received a letter from TAFE SA that starts as follows:"As you are a current student in the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design..."
I believe I have been unfairly treated in this instance and I feel extremely unhappy about that. I believe this was a very important lost opportunity for fairness to prevail, for the School to get some much needed exposure and for some Outsider Artists to get the recognition they deserve.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Trams on King William Road
I've used the panel that Amanda van Gils used to pack her painting. On the back she wrote: this is very good to paint on.
So there you have it - now I have my own copy of Pro's painting and on the back Amanda's autograph.
Recycling has a new and improved meaning.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Looking ahead
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A very humble thank you
As you all know, I am planning to have a gallery dedicated to Outsider Art and your donations will go towards establishing that gallery.
My gallery is open to anyone who wishes to be part of it.
The gallery will be in a house we own on Anzac Highway, close to the Highway Inn, a place that is undergoing a major development in the near future.
The Greenhill galleries have open a gallery at the Highway Inn, very convenient and extremely favourable for us.
At present there are a few things to be sorted out, and this year, only the Rumpus Gallery is functional (that is, an independent portable house at the back of the property).
During the Outsiders Festival it will be used to present any objectionable material (non-family friendly - if you wish).
Essentially I intend to have there a hub where there will be plenty of activity, not just a gallery that will be open a few days a week, with three weeks shows that rarely (apart from the opening) someone visits.
I believe in diversity and I believe that because of the extremely poor position of the artist in the mainstream, any art should be encouraged, especially art that comes from people who make art for the love of it.
I have embraced the Outsiders idea exactly for this reason. I believe that Outsider art is more genuine than most of the stuff that "respectable" galleries have on display.
So, therefore, if you have any pieces that you wish to present, I am very happy to put them on display - I do not have any selection criteria.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Bits'n pieces about the Outsiders Festival - 1-30 November 2009 - Adelaide
I started working on the Outsiders Festival idea because of the frustration I found everywhere in trying to find venues for the SALA show in 2008. I realised then how many people are making art with love and passion, mostly for themselves. Since then, a lot of things have happened. One was that I started hosting the Outsiders group on Redbubble, as the cheapest option to host images from potential interested parties. The group now has more than 400 members and an unmanageable number of images, it includes established artists, trained and untrained artists, disabled artists and outdoor photographers. At the same time I had a very negative reaction from the arts fraternity in Australia about the name of what I was trying to do. I've asked repeatedly Redbubble to allow me to change the name of the group to Visionary, or to register a Visionary group, but it was all too hard to them. So I got stuck with the name. I am a person that rarely gives up (most of the time I had to be fired to leave) so I took the cross and went further. I am now less than two months before the event that I have publicised as much as I could from my almost non-existent income and it is way too late to change the name.But what's in a name?As I said somewhere else, replying to this comment: "I just don't think that I personally could contribute enough to society by being an artist." This is where I belive we are all making a mistake. We have an obligation to change the way society sees artists, especially now that manufacturing has moved elsewhere. Yes, sport is important, yes TV is important, but it is totally unacceptable for the human beings to be so de-humanised as to ignore the wonders of the human brain. Accept it or not, we are all outsiders and it's time to stand up and fight for our rightful place in society. It is symbolic that the war is fought by an unemployed immigrant outsider, but I trust that in the end there will be light. What is sometimes disheartening is that fellow artists keep trying to denigrate our efforts. We might not be doing everything right and we would love some help rather than just being ridiculed or ignored. Regarding the understanding of the word outsider (“'outsider' art by definition is art that is created without formal training, with disregard to it's commercial potential and for the sake of the activity itself.” – as someone said once) - I agree that is one definition. In this day and age it is though very hard to stay between those boundaries. Take Jungle Philips for example. In theory he is an outsider, but if we take the above understanding of the term, he is not, as he is actively promoting his work starting from his colourful fence to his facebook presence. Not to mention that this year he has obtained a grant to help his practice. Strictly speaking, an Outsiders Festival using this definition cannot exist, as the people who could take part, once taking part would automatically be disqualified.
Monday, September 7, 2009
To date or not to date
It was not a declared retrospective, but it looked more like a pawn shop.
All sorts, new valueless stuff, old overpriced "take it or leave it" uninteresting gigantic nonsense celebrating some weird looking old "has been" (perhaps still is).
Amongst the cacophony of unfinished, unresolved trials and tribulations, the work of Julie Corfe really stands out. Profound and simple.
But the real motive of my post is to talk about signing and dating one's work.
Until now, I believed that dating your work on the front was a very good idea, but after seeing this show I begin to believe that this is a very bad thing, if one curator decides to feature your work in a show like this.
There are plenty of reasons why works don't sell, but having your work made six years ago in an exhibition that pretends to be fresh is most likely very damaging to any one's career.
I've seen some pieces that keep popping up at various events - not bad, but not good either. More like studies, you know, the school studies type. Aimed at improving one's technique, not creativity.
To end, I was very unimpressed, although the show has attracted quite a crowd. The sad thing is that the crowd was the one that always gathers together, just to be seen (and have a free drink?). I will check later if any work has sold. I'll be very pleasantly surprised.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Tall Poppy Syndrome
I cannot believe how prevalent is the Tall Poppy Syndrome in the arts community.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Full circle
My good friend Daniel, God bless his soul told me to go to TAFE to learn.
And this is what I've done today in class.
Sounds a bit familiar, doesn't it?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Objectives
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Meet Fred - NFS
Fred is now unemployed and when he doesn't hang by his corporate tie that he loves so much, he is organising an Outsiders Festival in Adelaide 1-30 November 2009.
He cannot get grants, he has little support, being an outsider, but he has a lot of friends willing to be part of the festival.
So, all in all, Fred is a happy person.
Say hello to Fred, and if you can, please put your spare change in his bucket.
Thank you.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Drawing class - NFS
Today I was told that being enrolled in the BVAD course - single-subjects does not mean that I am enrolled in the BVAD program.
I am not an expert and I may be slightly annoyed by this, but to me, if you enroll in a BVAD (Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design for the uninitiated!) course single subject, it means that you are in the program and are studying single subjects.
The difference is that you pay 3 times more than people enrolled through SATAC, as the fees are not subsidised.
Well, today I was told that what I believed is wrong and if you enroll to do single subjects you pay three times more for the privilege of filling vacant places in the program, but you are not actually enrolled in the program.
Then I went to my drawing class. And because I finished early with the things on the table, my teacher asked me to fill in the blanks. And here you are: the classroom with some objects in the middle.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Study 1 - NFS
Hue contrast - opposites on colour wheel:
Blue - Orange.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Moving on
Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design.
I've been doing design and visual arts for quite some time now, so people may ask why.
For starters, because the Government has decided that at my age and with my qualifications, experience and knowledge, I need re-training to be able to re-join the workforce.
So, when I told them about my interests in the arts, they have agreed to subsidise a small part of this program.
So, why not?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Australian sky - NFS
Hell is there somewhere, you can feel it, you can remember, there is warmth coming from everywhere.
To feel you're not alone in all of this beauty.
To hope that people touched by this are being transformed.
To believe that all the bad in the world is just misunderstanding.
And then to know that man kills man with bombs.
To look up the blue sky turning into all the colours of the rainbow and to ask yourself:
Why?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
My speech at the opening tonight
It is with great pleasure and humility that I welcome you to my show today.
This show is about my no-return journey into the wonderful world of the arts.
As you all know quite well by now, I started painting out of the blue exactly two years ago, when my beautiful daughter Ana married my beautiful son (in law) Peter.
Happy anniversary, Ana and Peter!
I started by throwing house paint onto canvas and some of my works hang in some of your houses and they can still be seen at Jock Gilbert Real Estate.
It was a liberating experience that I continue to enjoy from time to time, as you can see here.
But this show is about my experiences with oils.
I started using oils as I realized that I wanted to say more than I did up to that point.
The experience, as you can see in my works, has had ups and downs, but it was overall extremely rewarding.
It has highlighted my shortcomings, places I need to re-visit, places I need to go to, but most important, the fact that I can get where I want to be if I work hard.
I came to Australia seventeen years ago with my beautiful wife and my beautiful children, with a few suitcases and five American dollars in our pockets.
I was granted a skills migration visa, so I was here to help filling the gap in the skills shortage.
For seventeen years I helped manufacturing companies move their operations to low cost countries. I did this quite successfully, to the extent that I made my position redundant at every single company I worked for.
Now, as my children have grown up and they can almost stand on their own feet, I’ve decided that it is time to stop destroying so many lives and start filling a different gap in the skills shortage in Australia.
The focus on money, possessions, economic downturn, has led to a situation where the arts have been all but ignored. And yet, making and appreciating art is one of the major things that define us as humans. It is also something that cannot be moved abroad.
This show marks the starting point of the road of no return I am taking. I know it will be hard, I thank my wife, family and friends for your generous support and I promise not to disappoint.
Thank you again for coming,
I love you all.
My speech at the opening tonight
It is with great pleasure and humility that I welcome you to my show today.
This show is about my no-return journey into the wonderful world of the arts.
As you all know quite well by now, I started painting out of the blue exactly two years ago, when my beautiful daughter Ana married my beautiful son (in law) Peter.
Happy anniversary, Ana and Peter!
I started by throwing house paint onto canvas and some of my works hang in some of your houses and they can still be seen at Jock Gilbert Real Estate.
It was a liberating experience that I continue to enjoy from time to time, as you can see here.
But this show is about my experiences with oils.
I started using oils as I realized that I wanted to say more than I did up to that point.
The experience, as you can see in my works, has had ups and downs, but it was overall extremely rewarding.
It has highlighted my shortcomings, places I need to re-visit, places I need to go to, but most important, the fact that I can get where I want to be if I work hard.
I came to Australia seventeen years ago with my beautiful wife and my beautiful children, with a few suitcases and five American dollars in our pockets.
I was granted a skills migration visa, so I was here to help filling the gap in the skills shortage.
For seventeen years I helped manufacturing companies move their operations to low cost countries. I did this quite successfully, to the extent that I made my position redundant at every single company I worked for.
Now, as my children have grown up and they can almost stand on their own feet, I’ve decided that it is time to stop destroying so many lives and start filling a different gap in the skills shortage in Australia.
The focus on money, possessions, economic downturn, has led to a situation where the arts have been all but ignored. And yet, making and appreciating art is one of the major things that define us as humans. It is also something that cannot be moved abroad.
This show marks the starting point of the road of no return I am taking. I know it will be hard, I thank my wife, family and friends for your generous support and I promise not to disappoint.
Thank you again for coming,
I love you all.
This is it
This is it - today's the day - I look outside - it's raining. A good sign for this year's crops. I'll have a drink tonight for all of you. Thanks for your kindness and support. Cheers!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Stefan Maguran - Evolution - a three day only event
Announcing Stefan Maguran solo show - Evolution
Friday, June 12, 2009
The end of the line
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Obstacles
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Crossroads
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Homage to Jim Thalassoudis - sold
Monday, June 1, 2009
Planes falling from the sky
Sunday, May 31, 2009
I hate cubicles and open-plan offices
Saturday, May 30, 2009
New begining
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Four seasons storms - autumn
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Four Seasons Storms - Spring
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The light at the end of the storm
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Healthy choices
Monday, May 18, 2009
A sign in the sky - Sold
Kylie Greer