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Vagabond - Wandering without ties to a place or community "Led a vagabond life". Anything that resembles a vagabond in having no fixed place; "Pirate ships were vagabonds of the sea".
The Front Cafe/Gallery in Lyneham is exhibiting a collection of works which depict the art of skate boarding. The space has been taken over with paintings, photography and handmade skateboards which hang from the walls; one takes the shape of human flesh battered and bruised. A personal favourite of mine are Tristan Stills' collection of grainy black and whites; images of wooden skate ramps built inside people's houses and bedrooms.  Vagabondage includes work from a range of artists focusing on the skate boarding scene in Canberra. The unique contrast between Canberra's iconic buildings and structures is captivating. Artist and event organiser, Luke Brown describes Canberra as "a stop over by skateboarders passing through due to its laid back nature and skater friendly locations." Other artists include Luke Brown, Jim Fowlie, Scott Brown, Nathan Mooney, Issac Brown, Rome Torti, Stella-Rae Zelnik and more.

As part of Vagabongadge, the Hell City Glamours will play at The Basement on Saturday, 25 October along side The VeeBees and others.

I'm pretty darn keen for this years film festival in the Capital. Happening from October 29 to November 9, the festival will sreen films from Europe, China, New Zealand, the US and Australia. I'm looking forward to see Australian film Newcastle about a passionate young surfer who wants out of his blue-collar future. It stars a young cast including Lachlan Buchanan and Xavier Samuels. Shane Jacobson (better known as Kenny) also makes an appearance. Other films screening are Aleksandra (France/Russia), Bliss (Turkey), Black Ice (Finland), In Love We Trust (China) and Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr Hunter S. Thompson.

Last week, I met with art curator Chris Chapman to have a chat about the new National Portrait Gallery. Since closing their doors at the Old Parliment House, the new expansion located next to the National Gallery of Australia will be open to the public in early December. Chris walked me through the layout of the new space and showed me some of the works that will be hung. He describes a progression of portraiture, starting in the early 1800's of Australian early settlers and moving onto more current portraits of significant Australian icons like Nick Cave and our former PM. The gallery will be an interesting way to gain an insight into Australian history and our cultural identity.

Two of Canberra's most prominent band photographers launched their exhibition this week "Live - A Collection of Music Photography". Stella-rae Zelnik and James Thomson take you backstage to bands like Faker, Grinspoon, The Butterfly Effect and some more underground sounds like Mz Ann Thorpik and her vampire pose. Zelnik and Thomson have captured the relationship between audience and performer through their unique styles. Their use of colour and light is amazing and it's great to see the collaboration of these two very different artists.
Live - A Collection of Music Photography
National Convention Centre Canberra
September 24 - October 12
27-31 Constitution Ave, Canberra City 



 

www.myspace.com/stellaraephotography
http://flickr.com/photos/jamesthomsonphotography/