Art news

Get your art-respect out and pay homage to a creative genius. If you haven't heard of him, then you should have. Performance artist, painter and print-maker rolled into one, Abstract-Expressionist Robert Rauschenberg was like the ultra-talented older brother you secretly wanted to emulate. Claiming that he wanted to work within 'the gap between art and life', his semi-sculptural pieces are characterized by intense, haphazard brush strokes and integrate unrelated recycled objects. Often struggling to make ends meet, he exploited any materials he could get his hands on, famously using his own bedspread, a toothbrush and nail-polish to construct the 1955 work 'Bed'. Rather ironic it's now worth millions. Intensely evocative and highly improvised, the New Yorker's vast body of work has left a distinctive print on art history. He passed away at 82 earlier this week. A personal thank you to Rauschenburg for a bevvy of aesthetic delights I will continue to lust after.

For those who know me, I have an addiction - to shoes! The Dior stilettos I purchased in London are still tucked away in their shoe bag because to me they're art. The Prada's too. So when I discovered the most recent collaboration to hit the creative industry, my heart stopped momentarily - and I am not exaggerating. Shoe master Christian Louboutin has saddled up with film-maker David Lynch to create an extraordinary photographic exhibition revolving 'round that sexy red sole. Entitled Fetish the show features Lynch's signature cinematic style; dark and twisted with each film still capturing the the simultaneous sensuality of the Louboutin shoe and the voluptuousness of the model who wears it. And yes, Louboutin has pushed design to the limit with a 26cm heel, but since when has the boundaries of art or style been in the box?

Workplace surrounds tend to get a little monotonous on the eyes. So whenever you're in need of some visual euphoria, look no further than the sumptuous work of Lithuanian photographer, Paul Paper. The enigmatic artist boasts a collection of enchanting personal works eagerly waiting for hurried lunch hour inspection. Each image is a curious amalgam of child-like simplicity and refined photographic technique, with an emphasis on light and shadow. With titles such as 'Evening's Standard' and 'In the Corner', it's hard to grasp just how he manages to make every day objects and people appear so gloriously unique. Don't go out for lunch - immerse yourself in this delicious photography.

Controversial photographer Bill Henson returns to Roslyn Oxley9 art gallery this May 22. Disturbingly beautiful with slight gothic undertones, Henson's work has indeed drawn attention. Berated for his use of underage teens occasionally in compromising positions of intoxication and despair, Henson manages to portray both innocence and maturity in his photographs of adolescents. Set against dark and forboding landscapes, his young muses are almost nymph-like in their vulnerability.
Perhaps not for those with a dislike of confronting subject matter, come see one of Australia's most talented photographers this Autumn before he takes off again. 

You know how there's certain things in life that make your brain hurt just thinking about the level of work that went into their creation? Like bridges and roads. Like wall-painted animation. Didn't quite get that last one? Well then click here to see one of the most amazing and painstaking pieces of art you will have been privy to in a while. The wall animation is the work of Italian graffiti artist, BLU and was created and filmed on the streets of Buenos Aires and Baden. As a practice thats name is often marred by weak-handed, illiterate tags, it's wonderful to see such a beautiful and generally well-crafted example of street art.

When I first met Will Harden (at the Cricketers no doubt) I was first struck by his uncanny resemblence to a certain ex-Nirvana drummer turned Triple M favourite. “Has anyone ever told you that you look heaps like Dave Grohl?” I inquired, to which Will laughed in a manner that suggested he’d heard this one before and replied “Ummm, yeah. I guess that’s why everyone calls me Grohl”. So yeah, anyway, Will Harden – or Grohl as he is known in the postcodes of 2010/2011 – not only looks like a celebrity but is a pretty spectacular artist to boot. Described by himself as “transmogulated” (NB: it is literally impossible to find a definition of this word), Grohl’s paintings are florid, transcendental affairs that have been known to convey a sense of eroticism to many (but, much like clouds, you can really choose to see what you want in them). Take what you will then when Grohl presents Internal Workout Volume IX; his much-anticipated debut show as a resident at Black and Blue. Internal Workout opens at Black and Blue Gallery on May 15th from 6pm-10pm and can be viewed until June 1 from Thurs-Sun, 11am-6pm.

Are you partial to the odd long neck but have always wondered what to do with their ubiquitous brown paper bag? Well, artist Erin Forsyth had the right idea; at her recent solo show she had an entire wall filled illustrations made on longneck bags and now it appears the folks at Tooheys have followed suit. TED696 is a collaboration between street artists (those who can be most typically found in possession of a traveller) and Tooheys Extra Dry. Local artists DMOTE and Luca Ionescu together with Studio Number One/ Shepard Fairy have each created a limited edition brown paper bag that will be available in bottle shops soon. To celebrate, Tooheys are inviting YOU to create the fourth; head here to find out how you could score a Mac Book Pro and see your work published, exhibited and reproduced.