This Friday sees the return and second edition of the group show Undercurrent, which was seen at BSIDE Gallery when it first opened. This show brought together a range of artists who are pushing their practices here in Melbourne, and the second iteration follows a similar ethos, with a bunch of new names to the roster!

The sequel to the 2016 exhibition, Undercurrent II continues to seek out artists whose work challenges the norms of today’s urban art realm.

This is not a visually cohesive show – it is not about the finished artworks. Instead, it is about the creative process behind each of the works, it is about the studio practice of each artists, the solitary act of painting a canvas, and the thoughts and attitudes that form the conceptual link between each works. It is about establishing and defining a particular aesthetic, our ‘outsider’ approach to painting and art-making, independent from the popular paradigms.

“Paintings are a product of a long process of problem-solving and decision-making. It is a visual language between the artist and the viewer, its vocabulary can vary from the simplest to the utmost complex, and the longer you keep up the conversation, the richer and more meaningful it becomes. Often minute and nuanced details emerge to take up important roles to shift and influence the very meaning behind the work itself. However, it is up to the participants, the artist and the viewers, to choose what level they wish to engage in. And to me, it is quite important to initiate such discourses which allow us to discover each other, share our ideas, knowledge and experiences. It helps us to create an environment where ideas can be nurtured and allowed to grow and progress through collective input and discussions. It ultimately helps us develop and refine our core values and establish the essential truths of our art practices as a community. – Heesco”

Head down to BSIDE this Friday night and check it all out! 

Who: Bailer, Conrad Bizjak, Craig Cole, Dvate, Goodie, Christopher Hancock, Heesco, James Wilson, Ling, Makatron, Putos, Seb Fransz, Silk Roy
What: Undercurrent II
Where: BSIDE Gallery, Level 1 121 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
When: show opens Friday 1th April 2018 and runs until the 15th of April