The duo recently opened their show “Pipe Dreams” at Krause Gallery, New York. A unique body of work that was half created in New York and half created on their travels in Vietnam in various ceramic villages. Yok sent over a selection of photos that were taken by Zoe Beatwoman.

I’m not going to name all of the artists, or spotlight any heavyweights, because they’re ALL big names. Also look out for a series of animations and videos being screened at Fed Square to celebrate!!!

If you’re in Melbourne, don’t miss this.

“No Vacancy 5th Birthday Party” opens this Thursday night
Opening Night: Thursday, May 23
No Vacancy

“Trapwood” opens this Thursday night
Opening Night: Thursday, May 23
Mick the Gallery

Three sisters, Jessica, Georgia and Maxine had the idea a long time ago to approach a bookful of artists to illustrate chosen recipes. An interesting spin on the modern cookbook. The book has now been published and features artists like Ears, Numskull, Jimmy Dodd, Kitty Horton, Max Berry and loads more. Check out a few sneaky shots below, or find out more on their website.

“On The Outside” is a feature from our friend @nemans (www.innerwestlifestyle.com.au). A weekly round up of recent walls and laneways around Sydney.

Jiesk

Fukt
Fukt
Jumbo

Jumbo
Linz
Newtown
Phiber

Sid Tapia
Syke

H2OE
Zap

For more information on The 4217 please visit their website – www.the4217.com

TOH: How are you finding your first trip to Australia? what strikes you as different here to where you are from?

SKNT: Amazing!! in the first few days that I have been here, I could say that I love the contrast of architecture throughout the city, including neighborhoods like Surry Hills, The CBD and  Newtown differ significantly in architecture and environments. The weather, the immensity of vegetation that I can found everywhere, the care of the quality of the food and the friendliness of the people.I want to research the nature of the country, go a little bit outside of the city, it is another world compared to Europe.

TOH: You grew up in Spain, Tell us something about your home town where you grew up? when did you start painting? Themes of spanish folk come through in your work, can you explain the themes and where they come from?

SKNT: I come from Almagro (La Mancha) land of noble knights and told in the Cervantes’ Novel (Don Quixote). My hometown has an important history, the conqueror of Chile was born there, making the architecture of the town unique in the area, with notable Hispanic American influences. Also it is the first Templar settlement, which makes that the town has a big religious infrastructure. The main square was a gift from the kings of Brussels in the sixteenth century and there is a “Corral de comedias”  (theater type) unique in the world.

I started painting graffiti in 99 but it was not until 2005 that I began a deeper study of my land, its stories and other artistic disciplines what made me totally change my view of how to perform my work. Growing up surrounded by theatrical charm and stories of knights, one could say that my work is influenced notably by these aspects, in turn I have traveled extensively in Latin America, this influence is also rooted in some of my works.

TOH: You now live in Amsterdam, what is the painting / arts  culture like there?

SKNT: I can say that there is alot of art culture deeply rooted in old Dutch painters on the other hand there are lots of things developing that are more related to conceptual art and new media. Also Amsterdam is a city full of artists from everywhere and from different art disciplines, so that makes that the city have an alive art scene but more geared to indoor experience. The Street art right now is dead due to the hard laws

TOH: What mediums do you enjoy the most? do you enjoy painting indoors or outside more?

SKNT: I really enjoy any medium, because I like playing while I am painting and I have no fear to use something new. I really prefer paint murals outside because it is where I feel I am merged with the environment

TOH: What Does ‘Skount’ mean? where did the name come from?

SKNT: Skount was an imaginary name but when I travelled the first time to the desert of Morocco the people from there told me that Skount is the vocal sound of one spirit that flies throughout the dessert

TOH: What can people expect to see at your Australian Solo show in Sydney this Wednesday night?

SKNT: A world of Ancient Greek myths and legends, exploring reality by drawing a relatively cohesive oneiric spectrum with mythology, Recounting a pictorial discourse by which we enter into a world of dreams, created to explain the universe, the origin of the world, natural phenomena and anything for which there is no simple explanation.

A metaphorical investigation of a philosophical world full of arguments about the nature, properties, causes and effects of natural things, especially the human being and the universe.
A series determined to satisfy palates and retinas.

TOH: What is your next project following the exhibition?

SKNT: My next project is “Identity disorder” solo show in Los Angeles next month. Inspired in a chaotic sense of self, loss of sense of personal integrity, including a conflict with the social role of the individual. Common in different stages of life, when the individual is not willing or able to accept or adopt roles that the society imposes believed; usually manifests with isolation, rebellion, negativity and extremism. lack of self to his surroundings and exposed.

TOH: What is your favourite hour of the day?
SKNT: Sunset hour

skountworks.com

Wednesday 15th May 2013
Opening starts at 6pm.
The Tate @ The Toxteth
345 Glebe Pt Rd,
Glebe, Sydney, 2037

“Dreams are not just messages (coded messages, at that), but are also an aesthetic activity, a game of the imagination that has its own value. Dreams are proof that fantasies – emotional immersion in the visualization of events that have never and may never occur – are one of the profoundest necessities for human life. The characters that come from my imagination are my own possibilities, those that never came to bear, or those still on my horizon.” – Skount

Inspired by the classical Spanish theatre of his hometown, Skount’s oneiric masked characters beckon the viewer from the urban environment into their mysterious and playful dreamscapes. The great playwrights of Skount’s youth formed a lasting impression, where he regards life as a wonderful play, in which everyone has a role. Driven by the fundamental desire to free his own mind, Skount’s creativity knows no bounds. With a background in graffiti, his artistic expression spans paint, paper, music and performance, to video art, sculpture, and installation. Skount’s irrepressible curiosity for other cultures has inspired him to travel and study different forms of creativity and traditions around the world. Currently based in Amsterdam, Skount has worked and exhibited throughout Spain, Europe, China, Mexico, Israel and the United States.

Now for the first time in Australia, The Hours presents ‘Fragments of Mythological Dreams’, an exhibition of new paintings and installation by Skount. In this exhibition, inspired by Ancient Greek myths and legends, Skount presents a reality, drawing a relatively cohesive oneiric spectrum with mythology. Recounting a pictorial discourse by which we enter into a world of dreams, created to explain the universe, the origin of the world, natural phenomena and anything for which there is no simple explanation. Through this new body of work on canvas and paper, Skount investigates this complex philosophical world full of arguments about the nature, properties, causes and effects of natural things, especially the human being and the universe.

Opening Night – Wednesday 15th May 2013 – 6pm to 9pm
Exhibition continues until Sunday 19th May

The Tate Gallery – 345 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe (Sydney)

Here is sneak preview…

For an Exhibition Catalogue please email us at – info@thehours.com.au