THE VERSUS SHOW

BETH WILLIS (Photographer) vs. JAY MUSK (Artist/Skater)
JUNE 19 2009
@ THE VERSUS GALLERY
Brisbane. Fortitude Valley. Cnr Brunswick & Water Streets.

Brisbane’s newly established concept gallery The Versus Gallery will be holding its debut of “The Versus Show” opening night on Friday June 19 at 7pm.
'The Versus Show' is a culmination of collaboration and mutual admiration between emerging photographer Beth Willis and skater/artist Jay Musk. They will be showcasing their work together for the first time- which will consist of Beth’s raw and ambient observational pieces plus her main work of documenting Jay Musk as a skater, versus Jay’s stencilled decks and painted pieces. This night will be a playground of skate and street culture, featuring music/dj Teva, wall projections, short films, live stencilling, and a built in skate ramp which will feature Jay skating on the night.

Both Jay and Beth’s work are quite opposite in their visual appearance but find symmetry at their strong senses of style. Beth’s work has a definite femininity to it, Jay’s work is heavily influenced by pop and skate culture. His stencil work is amazing: detailed, imaginative, he’s packed to the brim with talent. The current trend is all about collaboration, crossing industries, and being creatively versatile- Jay is at the forefront of this movement.
Beth, who picked up her first camera only a couple of years ago, has flown into the imaginative side of photography- she’s not necessarily too concerned about capturing her technical skill, but more about painting her subject purely for its aesthetics or in the case of Jay, the sheer awesomeness as a subject. She highlights people’s kookiness, she’ll capture the face of Abraham Lincoln in a cloud, the abstract structuring of a group of buildings at dusk, or the stoned eyes of a fly- Her only previous showing sold out, because her work lacks pretence, its modest and honest and very cool.

The Versus Show will open on the 19th June and run for one week. The opening night will not include a cover charge, just a night that provides a buffet of visual stimulus and a great opportunity to purchase the work of two of Brisbane’s top emerging artists while their pieces are still affordable.

The Versus Show will be curated by artist/designer Mel Baxter who kicked off The Versus Show concept September last year, which featured her and Melbourne designer Ben Thomson (Simian Lines) and special guest Lachie Goldsworthy (Era Culprits). She is now focusing her energies on curating The Versus Shows, which will be held every two months at The Versus Gallery.

THE VERSUS SHOW
Jay Musk Vs. Beth Willis
With special guest- Tèva
Friday 19th June 2009
The Versus Gallery
From 7pm.