Autumn Goings On at MREAM

Over the past month MREAM Gallery has played host to not one ...but TWO exhibitions!

The FEMS crew put on a grand opening for the launch of their FEMS Zine.
The accompanying exhibition included works by several artists whose work featured in the first edition of the zine and it was fantastic to see so many new young faces in the space.

A long-standing MREAM member grapples with a contemporary video work

The FEMS Exhibition featured an interactive artwork which invited viewers to tear a page from an old thesaurus and create a work of art on the page - inspired by text thereon

To conclude the month of March "Unframed Untamed" took place in the MREAM gallery.  The show featured a collection of unframed works by members of MREAM - spanning sculpture, installation, textile art, oil and watercolour painting, printmaking, photo collage and drawing. Several artworks were sold on the evening and a generous spread was devoured by those in attendance at the opening.

Congratulations and many thanks are owed to Vonne for her efforts in co-ordinating both shows in the MREAM Gallery.  Much gratitude is also owed to Vonne's team of helpers!

Remember, if you are interested in having a solo or group show at MREAM Gallery (of 1 week or even 4 weeks) please don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email mreamblog@gmail.com

Our gallery is very competitively priced and we do not charge commission!

FEM Zine Launch & Exhibition

This weekend MREAM Studios & Gallery will play host to its first ever zine launch!

Organised by MREAM Artist, Vonne Beyer, the "FEMS" zine launch and exhibition will open this Saturday evening at 5.00pm at MREAM Studios & Gallery, 32 Hampstead Road, Maidstone VIC 3012.  Thereafter, the exhibition will run for one week (3-6pm daily) until Saturday 21st March.

"FEMS" stands for Females for Equality Making Stuff and is a zine made by women, about women and for women.

All are invited to attend the opening!

For the uneducated, "zine" is a term used to describe an independent (maga)zine or publication with a much smaller print run and alternative content including stories, poems, articles, artwork and photography.  Zines are a refreshing change from mainstream print media!

Unframed Untamed

MREAMers are firing up for their first group show of 2015!

Unframed Untamed

Opening Night Celebrations:
March 28th
5.00 - 8.00pm

MREAM Gallery

32 Hampstead Road, Maidstone VIC 3012

Everyone is welcome to attend our opening.

Many works within the exhibition will be available for sale.

MREAM Fundraiser @Masters

Whilst many of you were still recovering from the shock of landing in the year 2015, January saw the MREAM crew rally together and run a fundraiser BBQ at Masters Braybrook store.

Although a rather overcast Sunday presented some challenges, the delicious aroma of sizzling snags and Klaus’ thinly sliced onions© soon lured some hungry customers.

Thanks to all who came along and either helped out on the BBQ roster, made a purchase or donation and had a chat. 

Keep your eyes peeled for more MREAM fundraising events.

Final week of Judith's exhibition!

Ballarat Road, 2015

If you haven’t already made the trip across west to Sunshine Art Spaces Gallery to see Judith Leuenberger's show "Remote Edges of Sunshine" ...then you’d better pull your socks up and get a hurry on!

The final day of Judith’s show is this Friday 13^th March 2015.

Judith is currently a resident artist at Deer Park Art Spaces but is also a member of MREAM.  Works in her current exhibition are semi-abstract in nature and explore “overlooked and hidden scenes of urban beauty” from throughout Melbourne’s western suburb of Sunshine.

Sunshine Art Spaces Gallery is located at 2 City Place, Sunshine 3020 (very close to Sunshine Train Station) but please call the gallery in advance to clarify opening hours.  

Ph: 9249 4600

MREAM façade gets a facelift

MREAM Studios & Gallery's green exterior has received a makeover in mid January thanks to the guys from The Best of Melbourne Graffiti

The lads transformed our Hampstead Road premises into what now actually 

looks like artist studios and a gallery

Thank you to the hard-working graf crew and also to our artist in residence, 

Leah Lux Tame for photographing the transformation!

If you'd like to hire an aerosol artist, contact
 The Best of Melbourne Graffiti 

MREAM OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

MREAM Studios & Gallery will open their doors as part of the Maribyrnong City Council's Open Studios in the West program.


Check out the Open Studios In The West Facebook page here or read about other participants involved in the program here.


Click here to download a PDF invite for MREAM's Open Studio event ...and please spread the word!

Artist Profile: Rafael de la Paz

MREAM Artist Profile
Rafael de la Paz

Name:           Rafael de la Paz 
Facebook:   rafael.delapaz.94
Media:          Painting, Drawing, Poetry, Sculpture

  

False prophets

Do you really want to change the world?
Or just be popular.
Do you hear the cry, see the tears?
Or to have more friends, saying
your name, using their pain.

Do you understand?
or just be a bell,
repeating what others had said.

You who never had to run
or hide in the night
to keep a life.
To smile when a gun is pointing to your heart.

Do you really want to change the world
or just be popular.

If you want a change
sacrifice your life
go where they  need your voice.

Don't tell me that you understand

you see my friend, life is a carousel.

Tell me about your work e.g.  What themes do you pursue? 

My art is usually focussed on people/figures.  Typically, I paint female figures.  I am interested in different types of bodies and exploring the idea of beauty.  I mainly work in acrylic and oil paints although I have been experimenting with combining my painting with charcoal drawing.

What are you currently working on?        
Currently I am looking at colour.  For example, what are the different colours and tones I can see on the body– for example when you look closely the skin on someone’s face can show green or bright reds or pinks.  I want to paint these colours.  

How do you work? What processes do you follow?      
With my artworks I sometimes work from my head but often my paintings evolve from my sketches.  I think drawing is the foundation to painting.  It builds the foundations.  Teaching yourself is so easy with digital technology and the internet.  If I see something I might want to paint I take a photo of it on my phone and often use this as a reference.  I also use websites and online resources to help improve my drawing skills.

How has your practice changed over time?         

In the past I have worked in sculpture but no so much anymore because I don’t have the tools and materials.  I am now mostly focused on my painting.  Previously my style was quite representational or realistic and I focused on figure in landscape scenes.  I am now going through a “challenging” phase where I am trying out new techniques and experimenting with more saturated colour.  I am trying to discover a new, more colourful style.

What real-life situations, places, food, drink and music inspire you?    I don’t have any specific inspirations, I just feel like painting most days! I teach a weekly class at U3A in Footscray (University of the 3^rd Age) so sometimes the exercises we do feed into my own practice - for example I have recently painted several still life compositions with fruit. I like my figure paintings but I am really trying to break away from my previous painting style and develop something stronger and more colourful. Never give up!  I started writing poetry at 63 and this proves it is never too late to start.  I strongly believe that life will always offer something to you.

Who are some artists you follow/admire/enjoy?          

Because I am interested in light and colour I enjoy the work of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists like Monet, Degas, Cezanne, Renoir, Pissarro, Gauguin and Van Gogh as well as Picasso.

What do you like about your work?  What do you dislike about your work?    I like my figure paintings but I am really trying to break away from my previous painting style and develop something stronger and more colourful.

How did you decide to become an artist?           

I grew up in Cuba and I have been drawing since I was a child. My father liked drawing and I think he taught me at home.  I didn't particularly like school and I remember doodling during class. After I came out to Australia I lived in Torquay before moving to Altona Meadows.  I remember buying a canvas and some paints and bringing them home to try making a painting one day.  But it just wouldn't work and I became frustrated and threw the canvas out!  About one month later I decided to give it another go.  I visited a local community centre where, for a gold coin donation, a lady would give students advice on how they could improve their artworks.  She saw potential in my work and encouraged me to keep painting.  Many years later when I was living in Anglesea I joined an art group where another woman encouraged me to apply for a Diploma of Visual Arts at Gordon TAFE in Geelong. I have been painting ever since!

What role does the artist have in society?         

I think artists are valuable to society because they can help us refocus on what is important to us and remind us who we are as human beings. I believe we are all free to express ourselves as we wish but I would never criticise other artists or manipulate others through my art.  I do what I can to help the community by teaching and being independent. As an artist I am not a political person; rather I’m more of a humanitarian.  

What’s the best piece of advice you could give to young creative who are starting out?      

Never give up!  I started writing poetry at 63 and this proves it is never too late to start.  I strongly believe that life will always offer something to you.

Flying birds Today the birds are flying away don't cry my girl they will back another day. They will back to bring peace, to bring  love to this lost world. The birds with their singing, flying in the sky would take you some where were you could fly, dream that one day you don't have to cry.

Pajaros volando Hoy los pájaros vuelan lejos No llores mi niña ellos volveran  otro día. Volveran  para llevarte a un lugar de paz, de amor, fuera de este mundo perdido. Las aves con su cantar, te llevaran a un lugar donde podras volar y soñar que un día no Tendras  por que llorar

Facets Opening Night!

Leah Lux Tame opened her “Facets” exhibition with an exclusive preview on Saturday 21^st June.  Guests admired Leah's dazzling array of brightly coloured prints, drawings, paintings and photographs along with relics transported home from her recent European residency.

MREAM's new gallery space was transformed by Leah into an inviting and intimate Spanish themed space, complete with multi-coloured bunting, candles and Spanish music. The exclusive event was fully catered, with guests enjoying a diverse and delicious spread including dinner, treats and traditional Spanish drinks.

Leah is to be congratulated on all her hard work and dedication.  By all reports the evening was greatly enjoyed by all who attended!


Click here to visit Leah’s artist blog and read more about her exhibition.

 

Judith Leuenberger "LANDSCAPES OF LIGHT"

MREAM Visual Artist, Judith Leuenberger has been hard at work in her studio preparing for her upcoming show "Landscapes of Light".

"It’s all about the light," says Judith, whose continuing fascination with the atmosphere created by light and shade in nature again serve as the inspiration for her artworks.

"Landscapes of Light" is inspired by the artist's observations of the Western Australian landscape and follows on from her 2013 show, "European Light".  This will be Judith's fourth exhibition in Altona's beautiful Joel Gallery.

The exhibition will be on at the Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre from August 1st - 10th, 2014.

OPENING NIGHT: Friday 1st August

So put it in your diaries and we hope to see you all there to congratulate Judith on her work!

Artist Profile: Leah Lux Tame

Name:           Leah Lux Tame

Website:      leahlux.com

Blog:              trowelanddibbler.weebly.com
Facebook:   Leah Lux 
Instagram: luxleah 
Etsy:              Taming Luxuries

Tell me about your work e.g.  What themes do you pursue?  
For the past several years I have been exploring surfaces. These have included upholstery, mosaic, painted surfaces and brickwork.  Last year I was working with the theme of antiques and heirlooms and the idea that whilst these objects and items change hands and families may change their surfaces, their energy or essence remains.

What are you currently working on?          
I am continuing to look at surfaces but I am now examining the energies in historic architecture and interiors.

Grandpas Chair, 2013 etching

How do you work? What processes do you follow?     
I tend to do lots of thinking, particularly in bed and in the shower. Usually, I come up with the end product and then I work out the process I will need to take to get there.

How has your practice changed over time?         

A while back I was painting my dreams.  Now I’m painting what I see and feel in a particular place.

Tortuga, 2014, watercolour

What real-life situations, places, food, drink and music inspire you?    

Usually it’s a visual stimulus.  Something I see that I want to replicate, for example a collection of colours.  I am currently inspired by Art Nouveau and more specifically Spanish Modernisme and Antoni Gaudi.

Who are some artists you follow/admire/enjoy?          

Larissa MacFarlane, Margaret Olley. Brett Whiteley, Margaret Preston, Chris Canning and David Hockney.

Gaudi Blue and Yellow, 2013, linocut and watercolour

What do you like about your work?  What do you dislike about your work?    

What I like and dislike about my work is the same thing.  I am very diverse in my arts practice in that I do printmaking, painting, drawing, mixed media, photography and collage.  While this diversity means each artwork I create is unique, the drawback is that I have not developed an obvious style.

How did you decide to become an artist?
You don’t decide.  I've been drawing and painting forever!

Ginger Jar, 2013, pastel

What role does the artist have in society?            

I think artists and art play a necessary part in providing us with relief from hardship or stress.  A breath of fresh air that we otherwise may not get.

What’s the best piece of advice you could give to young creative who are starting out?
Everyone has an opinion and they are allowed to have an opinion.  But it is not the truth.

What can we expect from you in the future?      
In the future I am planning to establish a website for pet portraiture – watercolour and pencil works.  I need more examples …so for a portrait at a discounted rate, email me with a photo of your favourite pet!

Bacci 2013, watercolour

Leah Lux Tame "FACETS" Exhibition

MREAM Gallery is proud to present "FACETS: Exploring History Through Surfaces" by Leah Lux Tame

MREAM Visual Artist, Leah Lux Tame presents a collection of watercolours, photocollages and linocuts inspired by her recent travels through London, Cambridge, Barcelona and Paris!

Opening Wednesday 25th June - see you all there!

Brimbank's FREE Networking Event for Artists!

Brimbank City Council are running a free INfuse artists' networking event on Thursday 12th June from 6-8pm (light refreshments will be available).

Location: Visy Cares Hub - 80B Harvester Road, Sunshine

Designed to inspire and connect artists living in Brimbank and Melbourne's West, INfuse aims to provide a platform for artists to share ideas, seek advice, access professional development opportunities and network with others.   

This session will feature local artist, Sean Diamond of SD Kinetic Studios who specialises in large scale sculptural commissions and digital light paintings.

Everyone is welcome to go along but be sure to RSVP:  artspaces@brimbank.vic.gov.au or 9249 4600

BOTANICA Exhibition - Bundoora Homestead

MREAM Artist, Carla Murray has had a watercolour work selected for exhibition at "Botanica".  Everyone is invited along to the show at Bundoora Homestead's Art Centre next Saturday 7th June from 2-4pm.

Please find invite attached and see Bundoora Homestead's website for more information.

See you there!