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]]>We've partnered with Australian Red Cross Lifeblood and 6 awesome local Australian artists to create six inspiring limited-edition bandage designs. Now you can flex your true colours all while doing a good deed and donating blood.
]]>Abigail Crompton is launching her first publication with Thames and Hudson Australia and the USA - Truth Bomb.
There is nothing more explosive than an original idea…and nothing more dangerous
Truth Bomb: Inspiration from the Mouths and Minds of Women Artists is a powerful visual celebration of twenty-two remarkable and iconoclastic women artists, including Yayoi Kusama, Mickalene Thomas, Maja Djordjevic, Nina Chanel Abney, and Judy Chicago.
Abigail Crompton is launching her first publication with Thames and Hudson Australia and the USA - Truth Bomb.
There is nothing more explosive than an original idea…and nothing more dangerous
Truth Bomb: Inspiration from the Mouths and Minds of Women Artists is a powerful visual celebration of twenty-two remarkable and iconoclastic women artists, including Yayoi Kusama, Mickalene Thomas, Maja Djordjevic, Nina Chanel Abney, and Judy Chicago. Using every medium from collages, cartoons, and spray paint to video art, bronze sculpture, and painting, these pioneering artists’ original ideas have challenged the establishment and continue to do so every day.
This piece is named Seven Sistas (2018).
And another...
Wonder Woman and Kaylene (2019)
Kaylene Whiskey is a force to be reckoned with. Her unique use of bright colours and cartoons paired with meaningful hints at Whiskeys personal life and culture, make her art incredibly powerful.
To read more about Kaylene Whiskey as well as the twenty-one other incredible women featured in Truth Bomb, pre-order your copy here.
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Launched in October 2013, Pop-In@Nordstrom is an ongoing series of themed pop-up shops showcasing a selection of new and exclusive products or brands. We're so thrilled to be joining the 'Happiness Is' lineup this festive season, celebrating the season of gratitude and giving.
To celebrate the collaboration we've created a 16-page activity book with Melbourne artist Beci Orpin. The book will be a limited gift with purchase at the 'Holiday Rewards Party' at Nordstrom's New York flagship.
"Despite not having visited New York for a few years now, I loved revisiting my favourite things about this city to include in the Nordstrom activity book," said Beci. "Food was of course top of the list, followed closely by Central Park (where my husband proposed to me 16 years ago), and of course the excellent shopping! Plus thinking of the fun stuff that could happen with the NY icons (what does Lady Liberty think about?) and adding my own spin was great too."
Take a sneak peek at some of the exclusive collection including a new tea towel collaboration with David Shrigley:
We'll be at Pop-In@Nordstrom from Nov 22nd - Jan 5th. Catch our exclusive collection at selected stores across the US and online at Nordstrom.com/POP.
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OVER TO SAM! Budding Photographers keep reading!
How long have you been a photographer and what was the journey to Rufus & Cooper like?
I’ve been a photographer for over 10 years and the journey has been great. A lot of hard work but there have only been a few days that I’ve actually considered it work. Its just what you do and I love what I do. The constant nature of running your own business can be draining at times but that just makes the rewards sweeter knowing that you’ve earned it.
Favourite part about being behind a lens all day?
Working and collaborating with different people to create great images whilst having fun along the way. Someone once described being a creative professional as “Solving problems and making people happy”. I think that is pretty apt and I enjoy solving problems and making people happy!
Dream projects?
To do what I do but on an international scale.
Any advice for budding photographers?
Everything you do is noticed. From the way you work as an assistant to the extra effort, you go to for a client. From the corners you cut to the way you make people feel. Always give you best and people will want to work with you again and recommend you to others.
Top four places you turn to for creative inspiration?
Music videos
Other photographers work
Pinterst
Art galleries
Favourite item from the shoot?
Anything by Mr David Shrigley
We absolutley loved working on this project with these two. The joy in collaboration is truly so rewarding! If you missed the final images you can see them here.
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This is the Guerrilla Girls in all their crazy talented girl power glory. These feminist masked crusaders are our wonder women. Fighting sexism in the arts, their work has spread from New York City worldwide, with messages that shake the art world and will continue to be supported widely and wildly!
Louise Bourgeois has been described and honoured bringing sexuality to light. A beautifully strong relationship with her mother play a big role in the works of Bourgeois which changed the art industry forever. From her openness came discussions on psychoanalysis, expression and, most crucially, the place of female artists within a predominantly male-focused industry.
Yayoi Kusama we love you. Our much admired polka dot queen has always denied a connection with feminism but her conviction to the body being a vehicle for expression has lead admiration the world over.
Del Kathryn Barton is truely one of our most admired Australian artists, notice how we didn't say female? Her works feature mainly figures of women, some multi breasted, all beautiful. We love her work and we love the exploration of the female form amongst nature.
We'll leave you with this video of two friends talking vulnerability. The hilariously clever women, multi tasking their way through the world and spreading positive messages for women and men alike, Lena Dunham and Miranda July. Praise.
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Camille's Design Files interview can be found here.
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Sometimes we wish we were Florentijn Hofman's rubber duck. Just cruising down rivers around the world looking all giant and cute. The Rubber Duck sculpture has been floating since 2007 and has been on display in Amsterdam, Baku, Osaka, Sydney Harbour, Sao Paulo-just to name a few! The Dutch artist mostly worked on reproducing objects that we can usually see around us, blown up in size! The purpose of his art is to promote the message of healing. We like that and we hope that everyone who comes through our doors and greets our giant inflatable duck feels the healing vibes we're sending out.
We have worked with Jeff Koons on custom collections for various exhibitions for some time and always feel excited and dazzled by his large scale works. His latest public art piece, the seated ballerina is 45 feet of inflatable shiny magic! Wwith the idea of ‘reflectivity’ in mind, the installation was all about raising awareness of national missing children’s month in May.
Mmmm Floor Burger. Delicious giant floor burger. This work actually found itself cornered into controversy however that's a story for another day. Inspired by the luxury cars and grand pianos in midtown showrooms, Claes Oldenburg had decided to make sculptures of an equivalent scale as soft sculptures. Plaster wasn't the right fit for the task–too fragile and heavy–and so the artist, with the assistance of his then wife, Patty Mucha, a skilled seamstress, created sculptures of fabric. Working in the gallery, Oldenburg and Mucha made Floor Burger, Floor Cake, and Floor Cone, three oversized soft sculptures.
"Their soft, pliant, and colorful bodies challenged the convention that sculpture is rigid and austere, and their subject matter and colossal scale infused humor and whimsy into the often sober space of fine art." -foodoncanvas.eu
If you're looking to embrace the beauty of oversized eatables we have fab new ice-cream planters and money boxes as well as some very 50s garden party vibes as well. Swan planters, we are talking amazing plastic fantastic swan planters.
Click here and shop large.
]]>The Guerrilla Girls, New York’s feminist art and activist collective, have collaborated with Third Drawer Down, making their irreverent artwork affordable and available for purchase right here in Melbourne. Read more from the Time Out article here
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The Guerrilla Girls, New York’s feminist art and activist collective, have collaborated with Third Drawer Down, making their irreverent artwork affordable and available for purchase right here in Melbourne.
Read more from the Time Out article here
]]>Our latest instalment of Artcrush is Melbourne's own Jon Campbell.
]]>Jon has injected a healthy dose of humour to the Australian art world in the last 30 years, poking fun at the Australian vernacular and the phrases and slang we use every day. His works such as Yeah, Chicken Parma and Pot, Pure Bewdy and Beer O'Clock tip a hat to suburbia (Jon grew up in the Western suburbs of Melbourne). We have been lucky enough to work with Jon since 2009 making everything from stubby holders, beach towels and even condoms. In this instalment of Artcrush, we've spoken to Jon Campbell about what albums he's had on repeat lately, his current favourite guitar (he is a musician too), and what he's been doing lately at Art Basel in Hong Kong.
We are happy to launch our newest limited edition tea towel with Jon - All You Need is Love
Jon has also just launched a new book - Lettering
Jon Campbell is represented by Darren Knight Gallery
1. What song/album do you have on repeat at the moment?
The song, Pauline Hawkins by the Drive By Truckers, classic American rock. Otherwise it’s some of my long time fav’s, Velvet Underground, Sunnyboys, Replacements, Lower Plenty, Fairport Convention, Kinks, Big Star.
2. Could you take a photo of something and tell us a story about it?
This is a pic of my Danelectro guitar. They were originally made in the USA in the 50’s & 60’s. Mine is an early 90’s Korean re-issue. Distinguishing features are the Masonite construction (to save costs) and the ‘lipstick’ pickups. (good name for a band!). It is said Danelectro’s have a special, bright and gnarly tone – wiry and edgy. I agree and would add, looks good, feels good, is good.
3. What are your 4 favourite products from our store? (These products will be shown alongside the story/interview)
Plains Star Jacquard Towel x Pendleton
Afromuses couple tea towels x Chris Ofili
Heroin and Cocaine salt and pepper shakers, x David Shrigley
4. What did you think of your recent trip to Hong Kong for Art Basel? Did you have a favourite artwork?
Image from the Darren Knight Booth
There wasn’t one particular work that stood out. There are so many artworks it’s a little overwhelming and does become a bit of a blur. I didn’t photograph anything as the punters were going nuts taking thousands of photos, I did wonder what they were going to do with them all.
I was more focused on spending time in the Darren Knight booth with my own work. The Alexie Glass curated section ‘Encounters’ had some ambitious solo presentations and I was amazed at all the secondary market works on offer.
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We are so incredibly grateful to Lucy and her amazing team over at TDF. They showcased Third Drawer Down so perfectly and we're pretty damn excited about it. If you haven't already read the piece, head on over and have a look. The response has been amazing thus far and we truly appreciate your support.
Thanks to Kate Ballis for The Design Files for coming and taking the shots, I think in the photo below we were laughing over the man that lost his sandwich in his stomach.
]]>One of the biggest ambassadors for getting textiles on walls is our Fitzroy Store Manager and all-round-dooode; JEFF! We asked Jeff to share some secrets, not the deep dark kind, the framing kind - sorry. So here he is to break it down, we'll cut straight to the chase though, there's not much to it when it comes to nailing your wall art game!
First things first, our tea towels can and should live on walls. Framing them is the best way to savour their beauty, they are a digital print after all so they will fade just slightly in the sunlight over time, however, we are also so excited by seeing them stuck to walls with colourful tape or chunky clips OR via our magnetic system 'magnart' which leads to Jeff's first tip.
USE MAGNART.
These tiny magnetic strips can be easily stuck to your wall, and the magnetic button that then attaches your new wall friend to its new home looks really great! We use them a lot in the studio, as it becomes super easy to change what you want featured - one week we might be feeling like the Del Kathryn Barton Silk Scarf and the next it could be Patricia Piccinini! Magnart is available online and in-store and really is just one of those things you should have in your third drawer down ;) (see what we did there)
IRON YOUR TEA TOWELS BEFORE THEY HIT THE WALL.
Quite often we're asked, "but how do I get the creases out of my linen tea towel?" It's true, they are beautifully packaged in a lovely sleeve and post opening you will need a good iron to get them wall-ready. We recommend a rinse in cold water to soften them up first and then ironing on both sides with steam. Yes, you can iron the digital print side, however, giving the back a solid iron with lots of steam, (three rounds at least) will give you the best result.
FRAMING
We offer framing in-store currently which starts at $125 + your chosen Tea Towel but if you can't get to us then you're going to want to go to a good framer and opt for either having it stuck down to a backing card/board or stretched onto canvas first also looks incredible. Feel like doing it yourself? We like your style. Follow our ironing tips above and go for the sticking method using double-sided tape before you sit it behind glass or perspex.
WHY NOT LOOK AT MATERIALS YOU MIGHT ALREADY HAVE?
Got some colourful tape in the drawer? Boom - stick a tea towel on the wall ala Luke - our Instagram pal. Check it out.
OR experimenting with pegs is also fun!
USING 3M STICKY HOOKS? GET TWO.
Better safe than sorry. We also hang ours in-store on two of the large 3M hooks as to avoid a nasty crash in the night.
In terms of how to cluster and hang and lean frames on the floor etc we hate to tell you how to do that as we know you're all capable of making the most out of your happy spaces - and we like to remind people to push the boundaries or not listen to the rules - what looks great in a magazine may not be the right thing for your home so just have fun!
Shop Wall Art here. Yay! Wall Art!
]]>French-Born, the artist lived in New York where she produced some of her most celebrated large scale sculpture pieces and textile works. Our first favourite insight of the life of Louise is from The New York Times. The prestigious publication had the pleasure of visiting the Louise Bourgeois House in NYC, just as she left it. "Louise never threw anything out", her assistant and dear friend Jerry Gorovoy is quoted saying, so the photos really give a wonderful insight into her personality. You can read the full article here.
Image via The New York Times.
Want to know more? Well here comes the watch part, we highly recommend you watch the Louise Bourgeois documentary The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine. Our favourite insight into her creative process and influences. You can watch the trailer here.
That sums up our watch + read for Louise Bourgeois, we'll leave you with this sneaky peek of our upcoming collection! Get excited, there's something for everyone.
1. Ode A La Bievre Coaster Set, available now to pre-order here.
2. Silk Eye Mask, available late October.
3. Cat Pouch, available for pre-order here.
4. Garden Tools and Apron Set, available late October.
5. Artist Brush Roll, available late October.
6. Ode A La Bievre Coloured Pencil Set, available for pre-order here.
7. Memory Card Set, available now for pre-order here.
6. Ode A La Bievre Coloured Pencil Set, available for pre-order here.
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These little love boxes are the most collectable and useful things out there, with works by David Shrigley, Kill Pixie, James Galligar and Anne De Vries, they are the ultimate in date shiek.
The best part? they are absolutely, knee-spankingly FREE. Our Victorian-wide launch is a few weeks away, but are now available exclusively at our store in Melbourne. Ask us for a box when you order, and we will pop one in for free. Fall in love this spring, and let Third Drawer Down help.
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A collaboration with our ten-year collaborator, British artist David Shrigley, the Ridiculous Inflatable Swan-Thing floats on the satire the artist is famous for. Is it meant to look so phallic? Is it making fun of the inflatable swan trend? Or is it really just a Shrigley-eske Swan!? We are happy for you to decide for yourself. Whatever it is, it is ridiculous and glorious. Just like everything David does.
Get your piece of David Shrigley history now here and have a look at the buzz below. From over 70,000 twitter retweets to BuzzFeed, Teen Vogue and beyond. We feel so humbled to have been a part of a swan sensation! So much more to come from us and David Shrigley. Get set for Christmas!
QUICK! BUY ME BUY ME BUY ME!
]]>We are so delighted to see not one but two pages of Third Drawer Down's history on display this month in Vault mag, as part of their Object feature. We worked with this stellar publication, that's always so so beautiful to browse, on a special birthday story - outlining some of our stand-out collaborations from the past 15 years. That's right - we are 15! How fast they grow up.
We've posted the article below but if you can get the hard copy in your hot little hands we recommend it, why not subscribe? You could receive Large Fancy Room tea towel if you're one of the first 15 ;)
Big love to everyone for being a part of the big 15. LOTS more to come this year in celebration, including our own timeline of projects.
]]>Our latest instalment of Artcrush is one of the founding members of the Memphis group, Peter Shire. We have been honoured to work with Peter Shire these last few years through his Echo Park Pottery studio, based in California.
]]>Our latest instalment of Artcrush is one of the founding members of the Memphis group, Peter Shire.
We have been honoured to work with Peter Shire these last few years through his Echo Park Pottery studio, based in California. We first made contact with peter back in 2009, when we released our first collection of home-wares in collaboration with Nathalie Du Pasquier. Nathalie and Peter were 2 of the founding members of the Memphis movement in the 1980's. They created beautiful, geometric and brightly patterned artworks, furniture and ceramics which quickly became one of the most influential art movements of that decade.
We currently carry the work of his Echo Park Studio pottery - it's easy to see his sculptural aesthetic in these pieces.
We shared a few moments with Peter and Donna, the husband and wife team from Echo Park California. They were kind enough to let us into their world and be a fly at the studio - albeit only by the waves of the internet.
Third Drawer Down: What song/album do you have on repeat at the moment?
Peter Shire: I place each album twice a day for a week. Rhapsodesia (ultra-lounge music); Young, gifted and Black, Aretha Franklin; Mardi-Gras, Queen Ida; Gli Anni d’oro, Raoul Casadei; Sound and color, Alabama Shakes.
Third Drawer Down: Could you take a photo of something and tell us a story about it?
Peter Shire: It’s a selfie, with a portrait of me as a teapot on scratch board done by my Father in 1970’s, that I took at my friend Larry’s house last night.
Third Drawer Down: If you had to describe your work in 5 words, what would they be?
Peter Shire: Form, color, serious fun, the equivalent of play.
Third Drawer Down: What is your favourite thing about your studio in Echo Park?
Peter Shire: My studio in Echo Park!! — The outside world is a mish-mash of mostly low values.
And, that stops at the door of my studio.
Third Drawer Down: What are your 5 favourite products from our store?
Peter Shire: I enjoy all of the things and events I have seen on Instagram, and I wish I could be in Australia to be there with you.
Third Drawer Down: We wish you could come visit us too. If you ever do come to Melbourne, we've got an extra bedroom ready for you.
Here's a lovely film of Peter Shire shot by Eric Minh Swenson documenting the creation and build up to his exhibition at the Lora Schlesinger Gallery in California. The exhibit is called “CUPS” and will showcase a selection of ceramic cups which have been made by Peter over 30 years, specifically between the years 1974 – 2012. It will brighten your day.
Top Image from: Peter Shire: Cups 1974 – 2012 by Eric Minh Swenson
buy Echo Park Pottery Here
]]>In 2017, that moment exploded, in a good way - they had already been named by Artsy as some of the most influential artists of 2016 and have this year gone on to make even more noise about gender equality at a time where it is in the forefront, of every industry. The goosebumps are real - this is some amazing stuff happening right now and we are so proud to collaborate with strong voices, and powerful women in the arts. The Guerrilla Girls are reinventing the F-word, Feminism, which is why our latest collection is so close to our hearts. Designed in close collaboration with the Guerrilla Girls, we asked if they could write a sentence about each product for us. The Guerrilla Girls said so!
Shop the entire Guerrilla Girls collection here and become a part of the fight.
]]>We designed this bag in direct collaboration with The Guerrilla Girls with just this in mind. Imagine, you just happen to stumble across a protest for women's rights and BOOM you're ready! We went back and forth with samples - facetiming with Kathe from The Guerrilla Girls to make sure the eyes were in the right spot! It was a really fun project and one that keeps giving every time we see a photo of someone wearing their tote bag loud and proud!
With it being Women's History Month this month AND International Women's Day March 8th we thought it was important to share our lovely Gab with her Tote and show you just how AWESOME it is - on and off your head! This truly is the perfect purchase to support a cause - especially today (March 8th) as we are donating 25% of proceeds to UN Women.
Here it - in five! Purchase yours here.
I know what you're thinking - what if I have stuff in my bag! Why not store all your little bag stuff in a Guerrilla Girls clutch! That way it's easy to get to and you're ready to turn your tote into a mask.
Happy International Women's Day everyone. We love collaborating with The Guerrilla Girls, and all of our female artists - their passion and progress is our reason for working! Also, here is a bonus photo of Guerrilla Girl Susan Tyrell wearing her Tote Mask!
Love,
Your friendly team of feminists at Third Drawer Down
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Available to shop exclusively now via NGV and from March 17th with Third Drawer Down.
Cooler Bag, featuring artwork by Lisa Reid titled 'Daryl Somers'
Pot Holder, featuring artwork by Lisa Reid titled 'Dame Edna'
Hip Flask, featuring artwork by Patrick Francis untitled.
Flocked and embroidered patches, featuring artwork by Peter Ben.
Coaster Set, featuring four works by Julian Martin.
Stubby Holder, featuring artwork by Valerio Ciccone titled 'Kangaroo'
Linen Tea Towel featuring artwork by Cathy Staughton titled 'Luna Park'
]]>Hooray for pots that have boobs and faces on them! This edition of ARTCRUSH is all about cool guy Isaac Nichols, the master ceramicist who created our Rory, Adam and Girl Pot.
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Hooray for pots that have boobs and faces on them! This edition of ARTCRUSH is all about cool guy Isaac Nichols, the master ceramicist who created our Rory, Adam and Girl Pot. We dragged him away from his Brooklyn studio, and his hand painted friends, to chat about his creations, taste in music and third drawer down favourites.
Bill Wilson, "rainy day resolution"-listen to it.
Fun to make and see.
When I was a student I made a series of these as part of a video installation, I think there were 11 in total, all different but with some similarities. After I graduated I drove them home to my mothers house and hid them in the woods all around when she was gone. I think it took her about a week before she bumped into one and started finding me out! We joked about collecting them back for a retrospective some time down the road and how fun it would be display them again, complete with hornet and bird nests and moss etc.
This is one of two that I ended up keeping for myself. Mostly it reminds me to stay chill.
David Shrigley Domino Set and the Ben Medansky VIA Cup!
THANKS ISAAC! Shop Isaac Nichols marvellous ceramic here, and quick before they all sell out again!
]]>We spy some of our goodies on watoday.com.au
Beautiful images styled by Emily Ward and photographed by Mike Baker.
Beautiful images styled by Emily Ward and photographed by Mike Baker.
Check out the article here...
Items available online and in store.
]]>In celebration of International Women's Day 2017, and from this team of fierce women fuelled by strong female artists and creative women everywhere, we present the Guerrilla Girls guide to behaving badly. But first, a little about why we love this group of femme fighters.
We first collaborated on a collection with the Guerrilla Girls in 2015, and were privileged to launch the collection with MoMA New York, a Museum that was once the subject of Guerrilla criticism. The collection has since gone bananas, pun intended, and we are thrilled to be expanding on the pink and welcoming new items, and new ways of making art accessible as the Guerrilla Girls intended, this August.
But back to what we're here for, the love, what do we love about the Guerrilla Girls? Well after years of shaking up the art world with posters, stickers, lectures and billboards and challenging the prominence of male artists in museums as well as general sexism and corruption in the art world, these incredible women are now exhibiting and being heard. Their Whitechapel Gallery show was incredibly important and well received and they followed it up with a public work at Tate Modern in London. They have officially been heard, been named as one of the most influential artists of 2016 by Artsy AND have officially made us so proud to be female and fight for the future. We love that they instil that in women and in particular women artists, and aim to teach us how to protest and make noise of our own.
We love them for being feminists and spreading that message but also for working tirelessly to banish the corruption that exists in the art world by supporting accessible art, and encouraging more people to be involved in art self expression; which is what Third Drawer Down is built upon. So bravo, we're with you ladies!
But wait, the love doesn't stop there. WE LOVE THIS VIDEO. Because who doesn't feel empowered by being told to behave badly in the name of art and human rights!
Enjoy and don't go changing Guerrilla Girls.
]]>Abi has followed Marilyn's career for some time, so to have a face to face brainstorm on what product we would collaborate on was a dream come true and while the collection is a little tamer than Abi was initially hoping for, it is a special one.
In classic Abi fashion there is only one photo, there was too much to talk about to take photos!
]]>We could sit and pick Del Kathryn Barton's magical mind all day if it were up to us, so it was very difficult to grab a short and sweet insight into her life, process and goals but here goes, our Artcrush interview with the wonderful Del Kathryn Barton.
]]>We could sit and pick Del Kathryn Barton's magical mind all day if it were up to us, so it was very difficult to grab a short and sweet insight into her life, process and goals but here goes, our Artcrush interview with the wonderful Del Kathryn Barton.
you can also read his very entertaining interview with David Shrigley in Vogue here
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Jeff Koons is widely regarded as one of the most important, influential, popular, and controversial artists of the postwar era. Throughout his career, he has pioneered new approaches to the readymade, tested the boundaries between advanced art and mass culture, challenged the limits of industrial fabrication, and transformed the relationship of artists to the cult of celebrity and the global market. Yet despite these achievements, Koons has never been the subject of a retrospective surveying the full scope of his career. Comprising almost 150 objects dating from 1978 to the present, this exhibition will be the most comprehensive ever devoted to the artist’s groundbreaking oeuvre. By reconstituting all of his most iconic works and significant series in a chronological narrative, the retrospective will allow visitors to understand Koons’s remarkably diverse output as a multifaceted whole.
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'North is north and south is south and never the twain shall meet, or so they say in two-tribe Melbourne. But after 10 years of building up a creative agency and an art-house retail arm that is the very definition of ‘northside’ cool, Third Drawer Down is challenging that cliché and spawning a south-side shop. Say what?'
Annemarie Kiely]]>