The Sun was shining and culture was high on the agenda for a great day out on Sunday as I made my way out to the spectacular location of Cockatoo Island on Sydney harbour for the OUTPOST-Art from the streets exhibition. The Exhibition features some of Australia’s best street artists as well as some exhibits featuring the work of some big named overseas artists such as Banksy, Swoon and Faile.
I was lucky to have a personal guide in the name of one Mr Edwards a good friend and street art creator who is one of the contributing artists in the Pastemodernism exhibit located at the hub of the exhibition. The OUTPOST Project is well placed among the gritty industrial spaces of Cockatoo Island superimposing this explosion of dynamic urban art. The exhibition features the talent and raw energy of more than 150 artists, all willing to come on a journey with curators Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and aMBUSH Gallery, in a first for the Southern Hemisphere.
Renowned international and local artists such as ROA (Belgium), Ethos (Brazil), Kid Zoom (USA/Australia), Anthony Lister (USA/Australia) and the Everfresh Collective (Australia) illuminate the island with large-scale installations, (make sure you check out Anthony Lister’s large scale balloon heads and Kid Zoom’s Home). The Next by T World T shirt gallery is really entertaining showing a huge array of artists and designs from T shirt Culture. There are live art creations including aerosol art, stencilling, paste-ups, sticker art, cup rocking, sculpture, murals and billboards. A rocking bar is also set up throughout the day and into the early evening to help you unwind and take in a really awesome exhibition which runs from November 4Th –December 11th.
Whilst we were there a series of street art forums helped to explain various concepts and insights into behind global street art culture. The George Shaw’s Oi You! Collection includes important works by Os Gemeos, Swoon, Faile and the world’s best known and most influential Street Artist Banksy. Vibrant live acts and a changing weekend events program offer a mix of grand experiences and unexpected happenings. Street sports also take centre stage in the vast waterfront skate park, setting the scene for a Skateboarding Australia’s Pro/Am Tour Grand Final.
An array of pop-up bars, retail and gallery spaces, artist battles, demos, DJ’s, tours and art-making projects cover the island and you should give yourself a good 4 or 5 hours to really experience the whole exhibition. Better still go out to the island on several trips as the River cat and some direct ferries leave Circular Quay pretty regularly. Don’t Miss it!
