The Beginning

The Versus Show concept was born June 08 between the heads of James Straker and Mel Baxter. It had its debut opening September 4 2008 @ The Alibi Room and featured Simian Lines Vs. Mel Baxter and Special Guest Lachie Goldsworthy (Era Culprits). + DJ Fashion with a Gun Vs. Ladyboy. The show consisted of a large body of digital designs mounted and laminated which were worked on collaboratively by Mel and Simian Lines for four months. Being from separate states the artists passed the work backwards and forwards in an illustrator file via gmail until both parties agreed to sign off. The final work was a culmination of equal visual input and execution.

Its one year birthday is being celebrated with a second opening in its own gallery 'The Versus Gallery' who's gallery concept is based on that of The Versus Show. The Versus Gallery is owned by Joshua Collings of Joshua Levi Galleries who opened the gallery to provide a diverse range of emerging artists the opportunity to showcase their work and as a salute to THE VERSUS SHOW concept.