Following the success of his walkthrough art experience Blinking into the Sunlight in 2019, renowned street-artist Mysterious Al presents SPOOKHOUSE — a new multi-sensory art exhibition experience set inside a re-imagined fairground ghost train. Climb aboard a rickety cart and journey through a twisting labyrinth of animated characters, paintings, projections and special effects created by Mysterious Al.

SPOOKHOUSE will take over a secret location in Melbourne to be revealed closer to the date, and becomes Al’s most ambitious project yet. Opening Friday 19th – Sunday 28th March for people of all ages, the world first concept continues the artist’s long history of hosting art exhibitions in unusual spaces.

Fans of Al’s work will recognise his distinctive style. SPOOKHOUSE showcases 70 new works that will haunt the ten-person ghost train and inhabit an adjoining gallery space.

It’s artwork meets robotics, and Mysterious Al delivers a one-of-a-kind experience brimming with art and filled with scares, mystery and a touch of humour.

Featuring paintings, projections and the artist’s first foray into sculpture — SPOOKHOUSE challenges the way we interpret and consume art by playing on the nostalgia of a traditional 1950’s ghost train.
“There aren’t many traveling ghost trains in Australia, so finding the right one involved going down a few rabbit holes. The machine we sourced will have to travel through three states to get here,” says Al.

Like a Pixar movie, Al’s art has different subtexts for adults and children alike. SPOOKHOUSE challenges the way we interpret and consume art by playing on the nostalgia of a traditional 1950’s ghost train. Materials such as paper mache, UV lights and plywood feature throughout, as well as new technologies self-taught by the artist such as robotics, projections, sound effects, and more.

“I’ve completely redesigned the ride inside and out. The show features paintings, projections and my first foray into sculpture — crudely-animated monsters made using traditional methods during lockdown.

I wanted to stay true to the original materials and methods of traditional ghost trains, so I made my props from paper mache and chicken wire. Just as I’d finished everything, rats infested my workshop and ate the lot. Turns out the traditional flour and water paper mache makes great rat poison. I had to start again which is why I ended up doing more mechanical pieces… And I used wood glue the second time.”

After the ride, visitors step straight into a gallery space of Al’s paintings and paper works. All artwork is for sale and limited-edition merchandise is exclusively available on site during SPOOKHOUSE.

Mysterious Al is a contemporary artist from London UK; living and working in Melbourne, Australia since 2011. Al rose to fame in the early 2000’s through the explosion of street art, developing a notoriety for his colourful, energetic works. Al’s current paintings are based on ancient tribal masks, reimagined in wild contemporary colours. His work is striking and fun. But look closer and you’ll see fragility, vulnerability and pieces that poke fun at man’s psyche and a fragile sense of self. Mysterious Al has shown extensively at galleries and art fairs worldwide and has collaborated with major brands such as Levis, Vans, Carhartt, Adidas, Eastpak and more.

SPOOKHOUSE is Mysterious Al’s most ambitious project yet and a world first concept. The reimagined fairground ghost train journeys through a labyrinth of paintings, sculptures, and motorised installations created by the artist. Al presents his largest show to date with over 70 new works across the ghost train and adjoining gallery space, challenging the way we engage and interpret art.

SPOOKHOUSE
Friday 19th – 28th Sunday March 2021
Sun-Wed: 10am-6pm
Thu-Sat: 10am-9pm

Where: HoMie Emma Street Warehouse
35-53 Emma Street
Collingwood, VIC 3066

Tickets on sale now via mysteriousal.com. Tickets are limited and 60-minute sessions apply.

Adults: $12 +BF
Concession: $10 +BF
Children under 14: $8 + BF
Children 3 and under: FREE