SHE’S A BARBIE GIRL
For those who don’t know, that grand old dame of the plastic fantastic, Barbie, turned 50 this year. There have been celebrations worldwide, from the catwalks of New York to the opening of Barbie flagship stores in Shanghai. Even Australian Vogue – who share the same birth year as the big B – produced their own Barbie doll. Not to be outdone, renowned local Barbie collector Neil Taylor will be showcasing his vintage Barbie collection at the WA Art Gallery this September and October. Think Jackie Onasiss inspired looks, ’50s Dior visions of grandeur plus lots of retroness. There are even Barbie appraisals available. The display opens Wednesday September 23 and runs until Sunday October 11. www.artgallery.wa.gov.au
CHANDELIERS MY DEARS
Tim Bassett’s exhibition Contemporary Chandeliers is just that. It’s large scale glass sculptures which come to life when illuminated. In fact, the whole exhibition is an exploration of glass and how it twists, warps and convulses around itself, creating shapes that are both elegant and alien, obscure and interesting. The show ranges from the traditional to the outright innovative, with every shape considered. The exhibition opens at ABD Gallery in Northbridge on September 11 and closes September 27. www.abdthegallery.com.au
DISCHORDANT NATURES
A wonderful exhibition of new installation works opens at the Spectrum Project Space this September. It features artists-in-residence Janet Carter and Annie Hsiao-Wen Wang and examines this discomfort we have in dealing with our own bodies in a contemporary context. For those who don’t know, Carter was the artist who produced the incredibly impressive white pipes at the PICA’s latest Hatched exhibition, while Hsiao-Wen Wang won the recent Young Artists With Attitude Award with her large scale painting Amadeus. Here, at Spectrum, the two investigate form and how it discomforts function, with queer and feminist theories thrown in for good measure. Two of Perth’s more exciting emerging artists, they’re not to be missed. www.scca.ecu.edu.au/projects/spectrum/
EYE SPY
The annual Iris Awards have opened at the Perth Centre for Photography and will run until September 27. This year promises to deliver a feast of photographic treats, with plenty of top notch images on display. One in particular will prove so astounding that it will take home $3000 hot cash. Among those shortlisted include the likes of Amy Vinicombe, Danny Cornwell , Darren Brown, Dragana Spasich, Elisabeth Devereux, Hannan Jones, Harrison Saragossi, Penny Lane, Rhea Bettoni, Trevor Bly and Zorica Purlij. It promises to be a huge exhibition with loads of local talent represented. www.pcp.org.au
AHHH… MIDLAND
Midland… we love you! Yes, that far flung and sometimes forgotten satellite may not be everyone’s fave destination, but that’s slowly changing, particularly since they’re injecting a whole new breed of cool into the area. If you are an artist, there are brand new studio spaces up for grabs. At $238 a month, they’re affordable too! Plus you can lease them up for five years. Add the possibility of procuring an artist run exhibition space and you can see why Midland is the new black. The latter space would be perfect for an emerging collective looking to make their mark. And make it they would! Interested? Then contact Loretta on 9335 8366 or flick her an email and ask for an application form. loretta@artsource.net.au
HOWARD’S MIND… & HEART
Local photographer Julian Masters is holding a photographic exhibition this month entitled Howard’s Mind. The collection of 99 photographs tells the story of life on the streets and spans 25 years and a variety of techniques. The exhibition aims to raise awareness of the struggle faced daily by homeless people, with part proceeds from each image sold going toward Manna Industries and their tireless work with the homeless. At times poignant and always provocative, Masters’ work is candid and uncompromising, an insight into just how tough it can be out there without a roof over your head. The exhibition opens September 9 and runs until September 16 at Central TAFE Art Gallery in the centre of Northbridge. Unmissable. www.gallerycentral.com.au
HE HAS A HISTORY OF DRINKING
Get ready to get a little drunk when Jeffrey Jay Fowler delivers his first solo show, A History of Drinking. This little tale is interactive, with the audience being able to choose drinks which the bartender (Fowler) then makes. A little bit choose-your-own-hangover and a whole lot of confessional insight into the life that occurs both sides of a bar, A History of Drinking makes for good theatre. There’s singing, drinking, stories, drinking, insights, drinking, blurred vision and drinking. This wonderful little show kicks off at The Blue Room on September 16 and runs until October 3. www.blueroom.org.au
LOVE ON THE ROCKS
Get ready to shake, shake, shake and stir it as that grand old dame of Perth cabaret, John Michael Swinbank, hits The Ellington for a night of fantastic classic standards. Think Noel Coward, Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim plus a whole heap more as Swinbank is joined by the incredibly talented Tim Cunniffe, his long time piano accompanist. It’s a musing on the great cocktail songbook, a night sure to whet your appetite for more. Bitter Sweet and Twisted kicks off at The Ellington Jazz Club (where else!) on September 29 as part of the Pride Festival. www.theellington.com.au
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