Paink, a Melbourne based artist well known for his distinctive contemporary street art, launches his exhibition Flying Solo at The Compound Interest in Collingwood, Victoria, this Friday. With a graphic design background, his artworks evolve from on-screen to canvas. Known for his bold, innovative and provocative style, Paink enjoys working on large scale pieces with a strong eye for proportion and colour. His works range from murals, canvas, and prints.
Paink kindly took some time to let us in on that what’s what.
Hey Paink, tell us a little about your exhibition?
The exhibition flows through themes of budding innocence, rebellion, confrontation, and finally culminates with a sense of artistic freedom. Depicted in street style graffiti portraiture.
Register your interest here: painkartist.com/flyingsolo
How are you going with your preparation?
It’s been tough, I’m not going to lie. Whilst simultaneously running my design business, I knew I had to develop concepts and paint every spare second I had. That being said, the pressure often produces my most interesting work.
The fact this is the first time I’m going out and doing this solo is pushing me to get it all together. Stay tuned.
How did the chance to put on a show come about?
When it comes to my art, I can be very impatient at times. Once I had the idea in my head, I knew that this story needed to be expressed and told as soon as possible.
What has been involved to make it happen?
After even finding the courage to do this, the planning has been intense.
The space was the most important part for me, I needed it to compliment my pieces without distracting from the purpose. The space I’ve found does exactly that with a hit of contrast. Next was figuring out how to map the pieces so that it told the flow of the story best, which took ages but it’ll be worth it.
Then there was, of course, all the event planning elements such as drinks, catering etc. but I won’t bore you with the details.
How would you describe the work that you’re putting together?
Keeping in line with my heavy street style backgrounds, this collection has a strong focus on female beauty, birds, and portraiture.
There will also be some larger-scale pieces that will really show the detailing.
Is there a common theme for the works that you’ll have?
Birds are embedded in every piece as a way to demonstrate an underlying urge to be free, fly solo, and remain true to a unique identity.
Have you had any challenges?
Developing an initial concept has been my biggest challenge. I have spent hours researching photography and organising photoshoots so that I can paint the portrait exactly as I have seen it in my mind.
Having a concept in your mind is one thing but actually portraying it the way you want on a canvas can sometimes be seriously frustrating.
What excites you most about the show?
I’m most excited to have the viewer up close and personal with my art. Photos are nothing like the flesh.
Paink – Flying Solo
22nd of November, 2019. 5:00PM – 9:00PM.
The Compound Interest, 15-25 Keele St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia
See more from Paink: @paink_artist painkartist.com