Atamur meets Mhought and Flaze
Boom Gallery, Big Boom Gallery Space, 5 Rutland Street, Newtown VIC 3220, Australia
23 March – 23 April 2023
Art et al. announces an exhibition in Boom Gallery, Victoria, titled Atamur meets Mhought and Flaze. Over the end of 2021 into 2022, Art et al. commissioned Matt Robertson from the ArtGusto studio in Geelong, Australia, to collaborate in their Peer/Peer programme with John Powell-Jones in Manchester, UK. The exhibition features the two stories that have been created digitally, to show how the characters that had been created met and shared stories. This collaboration was part of Art et al.’s international programming, with one artist working from a supported studio, and the outcome was left completely open.
What happened? With both artists fascinated with character creation and storytelling, and wanting to share real-life emotions and events, the storyboarding began. Over several weeks two separate storylines began simultaneously: characters Mhought and Flaze, created by Matt Robertson, met with Atamur, created by John Powell-Jones. The characters decided to crossover into each other’s worlds to see what the other was like and to learn more about the characters, their lives, and the environments they inhabited. Across the two storylines, we get an insight into the minds of two incredible illustrators with their own unique styles, both telling stories of developing trust and overcoming anxieties. The drawings have been digitally worked, so that both artists’ drawings could be combined.
Matt explains the project as: “…a story of bringing two worlds together. By introducing our characters to each other’s worlds and bringing them out of their comfort zones. The characters realised they weren’t all that different from each other and that they could learn from each other.”
Mhought and Flaze are two characters experiencing homelessness, who take Atamur on a trip around to places where they like to spend time, including the beach, a golf course, and attending a beautiful fireworks display. Atamur is a nervous system who has built himself a suit to protect himself from everything the world throws at him, but over time the suit softens, and sometimes comes off completely when he feels comfortable with those around him.
Of the experience, Matt said, “I found it engaging and it brought together two continents. It came at the right time for me. It gave me my mojo back and helped me to be creative.”
This commission was supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Aesop Foundation. Art et al. is founded by Arts Project Australia, Jennifer Lauren Gallery, and Slominski Projects.
Extra information
Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday, 9am–4pm, and Sunday, 9am–3pm
Venue access: Wheelchair access, disabled toilet and disabled parking available outside
The exhibition is free to attend
There are four limited edition prints available, linked to John Powell-Jones’ character Atamur
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