Skulls and cross bones

Australian artist Danie Mellor and winner of the 2009 Telstra Indigenous Art Award has unveiled an exhibition of new works in Sydney in advance of his presentation at the Melbourne Art Fair 2010 from 4-8 August.

Mellor incorporates the ultimate symbol of mortality - the skull and crossbones - into his paintings, balanced with images of children suggesting the innocence of life. 

His detailed paintings incorporate Swarovski crystal and glitter and are presented in elaborate frames, also include references to early colonial settlement and inter-racial tension of the time.

Catch a sneak preview of the works at Michael Reid at Elizabeth Bay until 28 July or view them online.

Young Sydney artists collaborate at Melbourne Art Fair 2010

Expect to be surprised by the special Project Room at the Melbourne Art Fair which will be taken over by six young Sydney artists as they present an experimental new work from 4-8 August that has been commissioned by Campbelltown Arts Centre.


The Centre is the only Sydney-based arts institution to have been invited by the Melbourne Art Fair 2010 to present work in one of its special Project Rooms. Director Lisa Havilah has commissioned a new work by asking artists Agatha Gothe-Snape and Tom Polo (pictured) to work collaboratively with artist collective Brown Council.

Together the six Sydney-based artists – all aged 30 years and under – will transform the Project Room into an active space that examines the contemporary state of play of artistic production and reception. The work is expected to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary practice, spanning performance, installation and other mediums. Watch this space.