Saturday, February 20, 2010

'Tigerbuttah: The Retro Art of Becky Dreistadt': Event Photos


Above: A page of the forthcoming 'Tigerbuttah' Golden Book by Becky Dreistadt and Frank Gibson.

Here's some photos from Becky Dreistadt's 'Tigerbuttah' gallery opening at The High Seas in Auckland on the 5th of February. It had an exceptional turn-out, with pages selling as fast as the red dots could be placed! There were cakes and drinks on hand for the art punters, and a performance from sweet indie band 'Bear Cat'.

The show will be going on tour, next appearing at Popup Gallery in Wellington on March 5th. I'm not sure if there is any art left available to buy, as it sold exceptionally fast at the Auckland show; so if you don't see any red dots I would buy first ask questions later!

-AK!

Friday, February 19, 2010

EVENT: 'Hickville': The New Zealand Edition Release Party

Above: The cover of the new edition of 'Hicksville' by Dylan Horrocks.

It's being 13 years since Dylan Horrocks' landmark graphic novel 'Hicksville' was first published; considered by many to be an instant classic of the comics medium. This is made all the more impressive by it's seamless mix of comics folklore and the mysterious, casually magic nature of small-town New Zealand.

It's now back in print in a re-mastered format from Drawn & Quarterly in the US, and for the very first time it's available in a New Zealand edition published by Victoria University Press. The D&Q edition is in comics stores now, with the New Zealand VUP edition available in March. The VUP edition retails for $38.00, and if you want to pre-order it from your nearest bookstore here's it's ISBN:9780864736246.

To celebrate this occasion, I understand there's going to be a exhibition/launch for the New Zealand edition at The High Seas in Auckland on March 19th. Stay tuned for more details as the come to hand...

-AK!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

CHARITY AUCTION: Own an original page from Atlas!


This week Dylan Horrocks is auctioning one of the original pages (see above) from Atlas #1 on TradeMe to help a family friend in need.

The following statement was posted by Dylan at his website:

This week I’m selling a page of original art from Atlas #1 on TradeMe to help raise money for some very dear friends of ours, whose daughter Ella has growing problems with her eyesight. Ella is one of the loveliest, sweetest kids I know, but her case is unusual enough that numerous tests and treatments have failed to nail the problem.

Now Ella’s been offered a rare opportunity to have her medical problems looked at by some of the world’s most qualified experts at an international conference in Australia next month. Unfortunately, there’s no funding available to help fly her there and although her folks are some of the most excellent people I know, they just don’t have the money. So with the help of friends and family they’re doing everything they can to raise the funds and get Ella to that conference!

So here’s your chance to own a piece of original artwork by me, and at the same time to help out some really, really nice people. The auction closes at 9.15pm on Monday 8th February, and (if you’re in New Zealand) you can bid on it
HERE. All proceeds will go directly to Ella’s family.

Note: TradeMe only accepts bids from within New Zealand, but if you’re somewhere else and want to help, let me know; I’m considering doing an eBay auction of another page too (eBay is a bit of a mystery to me, but maybe this is a good reason to finally try it out?).

So please bid generously for this worthy cause!

-AK!