No introduction really necessary for the talents of our own Mr REKA! Well known for his colourful-crazy-clean geometric characterisations, his work can be found all over the streets of Melbourne, and throughout the world!

REKA, a member of Melbourne’s own Everfresh crew, also kicked it up in San Fran last year at the (freaking awesome) Young & Free event, has been painting massive murals across the city, and is now showing his true colours at Backwoods Gallery –

“Primary Suspects is a reflective exploration into the lifestyle of street vandals and the effect that it takes on us, both mentally and physically. From brushes with the law, confrontations with other graffiti writers, climbing onto rooftops and exploring the underground, the streets have become our desks.

We all have the same motivation: getting up, even if it means getting literally caught red-handed. There is a never-ending cycle of personalities and personas within this world, all with hidden identities only expressed on walls. Urban architecture is a game for us: we just want to write our name on your property. Our tools may be different to other professions, but we all strive for the same thing: recognition. It consumes us.

Primary Suspects expresses this contentious career choice in a body of work made up of canvases, found objects and video installation. The moment-to-moment nature of my profession is reflected in the loose, dynamic brushstrokes that dominate the portraits of myself and my colleagues in the act.

When my life is stripped back to its bare elements, it becomes a mixture of red, yellow, green and blues. That’s what I am made up of. I am a primary suspect.”

We’re pretty damn excited to see what mischief the man has come up, especially having seen his cheeky teaser video – here, in case you missed it, and there are a heap of preview images over at the Backwoods site.

Can’t wait to check this baby out!

   

Who: Reka
What: Primary Suspects
Where: Backwoods Gallery, 25 Easey Street, Collingwood, VIC
When: Show opens Friday, 2nd March from 6-9pm and runs til the 18th

Check the Facebook event page and the Backwoods Gallery website for more details!