Vernon Ah Kee Yidindji Tribe. Circa. 2007
Courtesy the artist and Bellas Milani Gallery, Brisbane

Vernon Ah Kee: Cantchant
8 December 2007 - 2 February 2008
Institute of Modern Art

Known for his incisive critiques of White Australian culture, Brisbane-based indigenous artist Vernon Ah Kee unveils his new project, Cantchant, at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA), Brisbane, on 8 December 2007. It runs until 2 February 2008.

In Cantchant Ah Kee takes on the iconic subject of the beach, casting a critical eye on its special role in forming Australian identity. As the Cronulla riots demonstrated, racism remains deeply-rooted in the Australian psyche. Casting themselves as indigenous, white yobbos attacked more recent immigrants chanting, 'We grew here, you flew here'. Cantchant pushes aside the commonsense of the beach as a destination for leisure, relaxation and fun, and presents it as a cultural battleground.

This exhibition may surprise those familiar with Ah Kee’s previous works, his chic polemical wall-texts and traditionally drafted realist portraits. Cantchant includes surfboards painted with north Queensland rainforest shield designs and a video installation featuring dead boards (waterlogged surfboards) blasted by guns, Aboriginal surfers and wrestling.

http://www.ima.org.au/

THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE

Wellington has been fortunate this year to receive the migration of formerly Auckland-based artist Benjamin Buchanan. Buchanan, who exhibits at Auckland's Roger Williams Gallery, is also well-known as Eric Ultimate, half of infamous rap duo Coco Solid (see White Fungus Issue 7). Buchanan's first exhibtion in Wellington since his move here, There's A Ghost In My House, is about to open this Thursday at Enjoy. Stephanie Stutely writes of the work: 'Taking inspiration from the eclectically patterned, empty domestic spaces of interior design books of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, Benjamin Buchanan examines the nature of abstraction and attempts to re-negotiate the clichés that it brings to mind.' Buchanan's exhibition with be accompanied by a small monograph produced by Enjoy, featuring texts by Juan Rubén Reyes and Ruth Buchanan. The artist will also be giving a talk on December 8 at 2pm.

OPENING PARTY FOR THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29, 6 PM

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Gangland 1996

Jingle Jangle Morning at the City Gallery

Just popped into the City Gallery yesterday to check out the fabulous new Bill Hammond survey, Jingle Jangle Morning. Curated by Jennifer Hay, the exhibition contains rooms and rooms full of the engimatic Lyttleton-based artist's work, from the '80s to the present. For a self-admitted Hammond fan, this is a real treat and way more than can be consumed in a single visit. Especially enjoyed the works in hushed lighting. Great to see the art world embracing the dark. Also showing at the gallery are two video works, Doomed (2007) and Love (2003), by Australian artist Tracy Moffatt. Probably agreed with Over the Net that second was stronger than the first, with Doomed perhaps reveling a bit much in the spectacular to truly be a critique of it. But Love is a saavy look into the underflying violence and strict patterns of behaviour perpetuated and enforced in our popular culture. Will look forward to checking this work out again.

www.citygallery.org.nz

Tao Wells

Will nature make a man of me yet?
Enjoy Public Art Gallery Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November 2007

Tao Wells' exhibition features large-scale distressed installation, and video for a very limited time. The ambition of the project is paired with a transience that makes it a very special event. Will nature make a man of me yet? will occupy the gallery for only two days, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November 2007 11 AM till 7 PM. The 2-day exhibition also features a very special performance by Wells at 9 PM Saturday 24 November.

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The Smell Remains the Same

Just received a very exciting package from Los Angelese sound artist Bob Belleure and his record label Anarchy Moon. The package included an LP of Smegma's, The Smell Remains the Same, a compilation put out by Anarchy Moon of Smegma singles from 1990-95. The tracks have been remastered by Dr ID and the album features fantastic cover artwork by Amazon Bambi (see image above) and liner notes by David Morgan. Unfortunately our record player is irreparibly broken so we haven't had a chance to listen to it yet, but this is surely enough incentive to get a new one soon. In the meantime we're enjoying the spooky minimal recordings of Redglaer's American Masonry which is also out on Anarchy Moon and has received a lot of good press including Wire and Arthur. The album was recorded in a large concrete warehouse in Tulsa and is an intriguing listen indeed.

check out: http://www.anarchymoon.com/