RESIDENT ARTIST: RHYS JOHN KAYE
Rhys, fresh from his solo exhibition at the acclaimed No Vacancy gallery in Melbourne, spent a week immersing himself in Port Kembla's industrial landscape. Exploring the depths of the steelworks, he drew inspiration from the rail workers, the weathered textures, and the unique personalities that inhabit these spaces. His visit even attracted a celebrity buyer. We loved seeing this process unfold under the honeycomb grill.
RESIDENT ARTIST: SARAH McCLOSKEY
Inner West talent, Sarah McCloskey made her way to the space as part of a recent commission for a local client.
Sarah, or Sarsar as she’s known online, creates a mix of hyper realistic portraiture with an touch of the whimsical.
McCloskey's artistic journey began with detailed graphite illustrations and paintings, exploring themes of human experience. In recent years, she's transitioned to large-scale public murals, bringing her signature style to a wider audience - one of which lives at the end of our street. The year 2023 marked a major achievement: her finalist position in the prestigious Archibald Prize. Her oil painting, "Social distancing," captured the essence of isolation and connection during COVID-19 lockdowns.
TIM ROSS: THE MID CENTURY PROJECT - PART 2
An Encore of Mid-Century Magic!
Remember that intoxicating blend of laughter and design? We were lucky enough to relive the magic of "The Mid Century Project." From backyard barbecues to the rise of the leisure class, Tim's storytelling wove a spell, transporting us to a world of optimism and sleek design. It wasn't just a show; it was an immersion, a chance to truly experience the mid-century spirit. He wasn't just a comedian; he was a time machine, transporting us with each anecdote. His tales and songs, woven with finesse, breathing life into the architecture.
RESIDENT ARTIST: WONDERWALLS
Wonderwalls, the artistic alchemists who transformed our region into a vibrant masterpiece. Since 2008, they've splashed more than 200 murals across our streets, turning them into must-see attractions. Visitor numbers surged, making Port Kembla and Wollongong the Illawarra's crown jewel for outdoor art. But Wonderwalls is more than just eye candy. They're placemakers, weaving murals into the fabric of our lives, each a landmark, a story, a point of pride.
So, wander our streets, soak in the colorful kaleidoscope, and remember - it’s more than paint, each mural is a love letter to the streets we call home.
LIVE EVENT: TIM ROSS - THE MID CENTURY PROJECT
For one night, our space became a stage, a portal to a bygone era.
This wasn't your average dinner party; this was the opening night of "The Mid Century Project,"
a series of intimate shows designed to celebrate the vibrant soul of the mid-century.
As guests filtered in, the space came alive. Then, Tim Ross took the stage, his infectious enthusiasm crackling like a vintage record. He wasn't just a comedian; he was a storyteller, weaving tales of backyard barbecues and the rise of the leisure class with the finesse of a master weaver. Each anecdote breathed life into the high ceilings and polished concrete floors, transforming the space into a living, breathing testament to a golden age.
RESIDENT ARTIST: CHRISTOPHER ZANKO
Illawarra artist Christopher Zanko has directed his gaze to look back at the original in our communities, to capture and record the settings and dwellings of mid-twentieth century suburban homes. Those homes with humble, noble bones and those with greater possibilities. Christopher celebrates these through the duality of printmaking and painting. He locates his subjects, their settings, and world through wood-carved expression suffused with the play of colour and shade reminding the viewer of the past. He was a finalist in the 2020 Brett Whiteley prize and, significantly, the 2022 Sulman Prize and the 2019 Wynne Prize. Another great opportunity has been the recent 70th anniversary commission to paint Rose Seidler House for the Museums of History New South Wales Collection - we were lucky enough to have him stay a few nights.
RESIDENT ARTIST: HOLLY THROSBY
Picture a melody weaving with words, painting stories with both a voice and a pen - that's Holly Throsby.
Holly crafts novels as captivating as her tunes. A whirlwind of talent, she's penned three acclaimed books, released five solo albums, and rocked stages with her band Seeker Lover Keeper. Critics swoon over her prose, showering her with awards nominations and best-seller status. From "Goodwood" to "Cedar Valley," her novels whisper secrets and paint landscapes that linger long in your mind after the final page. And her music? ARIAs nod in appreciation, while millions hum along to her soaring melodies. So, when Holly graces your doorstep, expect a symphony of stories. In her presence, inspiration paints the air, our living room became the setting for her masterpiece.
RESIDENT ARTIST: TASMAN KEITH
In the heart of rural eastern Australia, nestled along a shimmering river, lies Bowraville.
More than just a small town, it's a living testament to the strength and spirit of the Gumbaynggir people.
A people that have been there for thousands of years, and despite the countries history have always remained culturally and spiritually connected, even if that meant finding new wayts to do so. Tasman Keith is a Gumbaynggirr man inheriting his musical talents from his father. Inheriting his musical talents from his father, Keith weaves his rhymes with threads of history, personal reflection, and unwavering community spirit. Tasman spent time at The Bank Space writing and demoing an extensive amount of music that will soon be released in the form of many different projects.
RESIDENT ARTIST: AMY CUNEO
NSW South Coast artist, Amy Cuneo, paints the stories that linger in her mind: fleeting moments, cherished objects, whispers of the natural world. Drawn to humans and their habitats, her canvases sing with color, line, and pattern. Found flora, phone-hoarded memories, and everyday objects dance in her process, a blind sculpture taking form until wholeness emerges, imperfections embraced like family. Flowers, food, windows framing skies - Cuneo's everyday becomes universal, a tapestry of comfort and connection woven with light and lived experience. In her work, home finds solace in the familiar, reminding us of the beauty in the seemingly ordinary.
RESIDENT ARTIST: MIGNON STEELE
Dust-choked pages, once whispering forgotten numbers, blooming under Mignon's touch. Pulped Yellow Pages, ghosts of connection, become her canvas. Landscapes sprout, not from memory, but from the dreams of a vanished era.
Microscopic echoes, celestial whispers, all dance within the texture. Her work, a symphony of human oddity and nature's resilience, a canvas scratched raw with hope, anxiety, and laughter. Resident artist, Mignon Steele shows us her work - and catering skills - during her recent stay.
