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Name: Trevor King

Location: Sydney

Artwork name: 'Odd One Out' | Digital Photography, Print

Description: Homeless man looking through a fence at people enjoying the beach

Artist bio: I was born in Calgary, Canada and at the age of 8 months my parents bought a 60’ sailboat.

I was brought up being homeschooled and sailing the South Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean. I went back to Vancouver for high school. Shortly after graduating I moved to Australia. I travelled up the east coast over a year and made my way back to Melbourne to study photography and assist fashion and advertising photographers. I did this for 4 years and started shooting for a mixture of magazines, advertising and fashion clients. 4 years ago I moved to Sydney to pursue a better lifestyle by the beach, and further my photography and moving image skills. I love my job. I get to travel and don’t have to work full time. I didn’t become a photographer to become rich; I did it for the lifestyle. It’s great to hang out with fun people creating beautiful images and getting paid for it at the same time.

Reasoning of becoming part: I live a pretty sweet life and usually take it for granted. This is a way of giving back to society and helping out those who are less fortunate

Brief story how you became an artist: I became a photographer because I loved doing it much more than anything else. I will never be a millionaire from photography but it has made me rich in other ways. It allows me to live the lifestyle I want to live and I get to travel the world and meet interesting people along the way

Describe your style: I have a pretty relaxed, non contrived style of shooting. I mostly shoot people on location using natural light. The outcome is usually something real, that the audience can relate to.

Influences: I am influenced by everything; nature, music, movies, social media, other cultures, etc. I get most of my inspiration and drive from travelling. I don’t know why, I just get pumped on ideas and work when I’m flying to or from somewhere

Favourite music to work to: Kurt Vile has a great pace to it. Love a bit of indie rock.

Favourite quote: “Go on, grab life by the balls!” my mum said this to me when I was 21. I was at the airport about to get on the plane to Australia.

See Trevor’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31.

www.kingtrevor.com | @trevorking

Name: Tom Schwaiger

Location: Glebe, Sydney

Artwork name: Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow

Description: The artwork highlights the never ending search of a homeless person. One of the saddest things is that they do not know where their next meal is coming from or where they will be sleeping that night. Comfort is something we all take for granted.

See Tom’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills, August 28 – 31

@sumtymes

Name: Thomas Townend

Artwork name: Relief in Death

Description: The struggle people go through just to keep air in their lungs.

See Thomas’ work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills, August 28 – 31

Name: Sally Conwell

Artwork name: Prayer Before Dawn

See Sally's work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills, August 28 - 31

www.sallyannconwell.com | @sitstillsally

Name: Trait Cross

Location: Wollongong

Artwork name: Homestead Dreaming

Reasoning of becoming part: I have always been passionate about social issues effecting our community. So I always try and use my art to not only expose these issues but also physically help when ever I can

Brief story how you became an artist: Ever since I was young I have loved drawing. My mother has always inspired and encouraged me to create. I studied art at school and then later studied Fine Art. Its been a life long endeavour.

Describe your style: Dark and earthy with a play on consumerism.

Influences: Politics, social issues, hip hop and punk. Artist who inspire me such as Fintan Magee, Conor Harrington, Ape 7, Rone, Adnate and Hancock.

Favourite music to work to: Definitely has to be Sage Francis. His music has inspired me for years. His lyrics are very deep and honest with a lot of visual references.

See Trait’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

www.trait.bigcartel.com | @traitism

Name: Sam Shennan

Location: Sydney/Newtown

Artwork name: The Hermitcrab

Description: This piece is trying to show the feeling of being watched or seen on the streets

Reasoning of becoming part: I live in the inner city so my experience with people of all walks of life

Brief story how you became an artist: I never stopped drawing as a kid, and now I’m an adult so I am lost for what else to do now

Describe your style: Tattoo and street art inspired inky surreal illustration

Influences: Ken Taylor, Ary2, Martin Austin, How & NOSM, Tomer Hanuka, Nychos, Smithe One, Etam Cru

Favourite music to work to: Chill out stuff so I can relax while inking details

Favourite quote: Work hard until your heros are your competitors

See Sam’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

www.samshennan.com | @theud3

Name: Otis Hope Carey

Location: North Narrabeen

Artwork name: Wanderer

Description: As we grow with the earth we often get lost amongst the vibrations of curiosity and drift into the unknown

Reasoning of becoming part: I’m all for giving to those who are less fortunate

Brief story how you became an artist: Experimented with different ways of expression

Describe your style: Fun

Influences: Family, The colours of the earth and the ocean

Favourite music to work to: Pure Bathing Culture

Favourite quote: Never Dead Forever

See Otis’ work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

www.otisscarycarey.tumblr.com | @otisscarycarey

Name: Mike Watt

Location: Sydney

Artwork name: Nameless

Description: I ended up keeping it really simple and just focusing on the expression. I’d like to think you can see a fair bit of his character from his expression

Reasoning of becoming part: As soon as I heard the idea I really wanted to be a part of it. It’s a great idea and cause and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

Brief story how you became an artist: I always loved drawing and I would always look for an excuse to keep doing it. I guess it went from drawing in my school books, to spray painting walls, then design school, and then I became and illustrator. I get the most enjoyment making work for myself now.

Describe your style: I like to think that I draw characters with lots of character.

Influences: I’m really influences by talented people in general, especially the ones that really push themselves to be better, it doesn’t matter too much what field it’s in.

Favourite music to work to: It’s normally hip hop but lately I have been listening to a fair bit of stand up.

Favourite quote: “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” Andy Warhol

See Mike’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

www.mikewatt.org | @mike_watt

Name: Luschia Porter

Location: Jervis Bay, but live in Sydney now

Artwork name: The Journey To The Top Of That Mountain

Description: My work offers thoughts on the journey to make it out of homelessness – that there is hope and that there is support

Brief story how you became an artist: I work in a mixture of creative worlds such as furniture design, graphic design, illustration and set design...I've always been heavily focussed on creating new ideas and making things with my hands and so I went to COFA to study object design and graphic design to refine my ideas!

Describe your style: Faceted and pastel with an influence from object and graphic design.

Influences: I’m quite attracted to mixing geometry and pastel colours… I think it comes from my love of Scandinavian graphic design and architecture. I really love Norwegian architect Reiulf Ramstad’s firm, and the work they did on the tourist points throughout Norway. I also architect Richard Goodwin's conceptual work and Sydney artist Hollie Martin's multi-faceted practice.

Favourite music to work to: Chrome Sparkes and Yung Lean :-)

Favourite quote: I'm not really drawn to summaries in the form of a quote, I like long-winded discussions and battles!

See Luschia’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

www.luschiaporter.com

Name: Lotte Barnes

Location: Freshwater

Artwork name: Turning Arrows into Roses

Description: To turn an arrow into a rose; For there will always be something that pierces our hearts, mind and skin, something that threatens our wellbeing. See the beauty in each blow. There is a story here for you my dear. With each pang of the bow, the arrow spears towards you, what will you feel when it hits you, metal, or lesson.

Reasoning of becoming part: When the opportunity to be involved with this project arose, I was instantly connected to that feeling of being part of something bigger than ones self. Having the ability to not only create and make something to be showcased along side other like minded people, but ultimately to be able to give back to a greater cause. Art with a social conscience is a movement I very much support and it's a combination of every single individuals participation to help youth on the streets, that will eventually bring about change. We are all of one blood, we all face struggles and are troubled at times in our lives, but the one thing that helps us through is support from those around us, loved ones or strangers.

Brief story how you became an artist: It was only recently that I began to identify to the word 'artist'. I have always considered myself as a 'creative' as that is what my day to day world revolves around, but I had falsely boxed the idea of an artist as someone who paints, or draws or sings. But in truth, art is ones own expression of creation - in all forms and mediums. This realisation came as I explored the idea behind my installation, and the process of creating an artist piece. Through the opportunity of expressing myself creatively, I had become an artist.

Describe your style: Personal.Emotive.Bespoke

Influences: I just returned from a trip to Vancouver / LA / NYC & Mexico - and I learned the story behind my piece from a friend who is a great mentor within my life. Had I not had the opportunity to explore overseas, then these works may not of been inspired. For me, travel is one of my biggest influences, you gain perspective and broaden your outlook wider every time you step outside your comfort zone. This piece is about relationships. It's about softening, and about bringing love.

Favourite music to work to: Big Scary, Wild Beasts, The Acid, The Black Ryder, Panama, Bonobo, Jamie xx, Toro Y Moi, Caitlin Park, Zola Jesus, Rhye, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, & Prince, always Prince.

Favourite quote: "Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames." Do that. Seek those people out. They will re-inspire you and reignite that roaring flame within.

See Lotte’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

www.blackbearfolk.com | @lottebarnes // @blkbearflk

Name: Lachlan Bruce

Location: Newtown

Artwork name: Just Trying To Survive

Description: Typographic illustration screen-printed using gold and white on dark blue card

Reasoning of becoming part: Youth off the streets is an excellent charity helping those in need. Always happy to help where I can

Brief story how you became an artist: I grew up reading comic books and always wanted to be a comic book illustrator, or an archaeologist… Anyway I ended up studying Graphic Design at Billy Blue and have been working as a designer ever since. I have recently gotten heavily into screen-printing and try to produce all exhibition pieces as short run, hand pulled screen prints.

Describe your style: Graphic minimalist with a bunch of skulls thrown in every so often

Influences: David Carson, Ken Taylor, Liam Gallagher, the internet in general…. Stanley Kubrik, Trainspotting, Bill and Ted, Star Wars, Doctor Who

Favourite music to work to: The Bronx, Clutch, Ozzy Ozbourne, Lynrd Skynrd, Turbonegro, Iron Maiden, Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, The Sword, Kasabian, Oasis, Artic Monkeys

Favourite quote: “Megatron must be stopped… no matter the cost” Optimus Prime Transformers: The Movie 1986

See Lachlan’s work in full at the From The Ground Up exhibition at District 01 Surry Hills , August 28 – 31

@splegs

Name: Kris Klein

Location: Umina

Artwork name: ‘Untitled’ | Oil and Acrylic on timber

Description: This is a further exploration on a study done quite a few years ago. The image came to me in its entirety and was produced almost as quickly. It combines the beauty of line and shape of the female form with the lines of the sea. Exploring woman as ocean and vice versa, with strength and power but also subtlety and softness. Water as life and the giver of life and some pretty colours thrown in. Reasoning of becoming part: What drew me to ‘From the ground up’ was the opportunity to exhibit and work with other amazingly talented artists whilst being enabled to effect change through the production of art by raising money and awareness for a population who is largely overlooked by wider society. I believe it is important to start the conversation to ensure there is an understanding of the situation and needs of the homeless, to understand the human behind the label and to use art to bridge the gap is a great opportunity.

Brief story how you became an artist: I have been creative since childhood, painting and drawing, but only started pursuing it seriously in the past couple of years. I have been working in the film industry for several years however I find there is a control and creative freedom in the production of artworks that I can't get working collaboratively on a film set and art has therefore become something of a meditation for me. I have been lucky to have been noticed by several people who have given guidance, which has lead to exhibitions and sales. I am looking forward to seeing where this ride will take me in the future.

Describe your style: My style changes dependant upon the inspiration and projects I am working on. Primarily surrealistic, I have worked with a combination of ever-changing elements exploring the dream and subconscious thoughts and imagery through the use of colour and shape. In recent years I have begun experimenting in mixed media and have begun incorporating more realistic graphic elements. My work is always heavily influenced by music with colour and style being a depiction of the emotive and visual response to the music. I am yet to associate with a single style easily recognisable as my own and I'm not sure I ever will. My nature dictates that I will become bored with the old and always try something new however things work in cycles so I may develop something of a style yet.

Influences: The Surrealist’s, James Gleeson, Andre Bretton, Dali, Tanguy. Brett Whiteley, Picaso, Daniel O’toole (EARS), BENNETT. Alex Kopps. Street Art, Music has a major influence over my work with Tori Amos, NIN, Tool & The Doors playing a part in one way or another. Also nature and the ocean primarily, cities, travel, new cultures, dreams. Things that make you question the limited way in which we see things, which make you question existence and look at things differently. Anything interesting and out of the ordinary

Favourite music to work to: While painting some of my older pieces I always gravitated toward NIN or Tori Amos as I find they provoke imagery and enable me to maintain an air of calm for long periods. This is useful in the production of larger pieces as they enable me to recapture a mood in order to finish a piece. I have been revisiting them during the production for a new series however I listen to music that suits each individual piece.

If I am working on photography or video projects I will listen to anything from Jazz to Rap and Hip Hop or more mellow, triple J music, for lack of a better description. Some of my more graphic work is the same in that respect. Music often evokes imagery for me so whatever I see when I hear a song will remain linked and that music and will be on repeat until I finish the piece.

Sometimes silence is the best music also, in the middle of the night when the world is asleep and there are no distractions. That can be when your work gets its biggest voice.

Favourite quote: 'And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.' Friedrich Nietzsche

www.krisklein.com.au | @yesterdayschildren

#art #woman #artist #krisklein #painting #oilpainting #fromthegroundup #fromthegroundupsyd

Name: Kareena Zerefos

Location: Sydney

Artwork name: Greyhound Study (Number 3) | Watercolour and graphite on paper

Description: A piece from a recent series exploring abandonment, isolation and fragility through the depiction of sight hounds and strays.

Artist bio: Kareena Zerefos's artwork deals with the human condition and its polarity of isolation and companionship. A yearning and delight that is found in long lost moments of escape, Zerefos brings to life whimsically this illusory and haunting world. With a background in design, graduating from the College of Fine Arts in 2005, she works using a variety of media, including pencil, gouache and tea, and often combines traditional drawing with contemporary digital graphic techniques.

Reasoning of becoming part: To do my small part in raising awareness of homelessness in Sydney.

Brief story how you became an artist: Becoming an artist was never really a conscious decision for me, creating is just something I've always felt compelled to do.

Describe your style: Delicate, bittersweet, and sometimes haunting.

Influences: Egon Schiele, Salvador Dali and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

Favourite music to work to: Iron and Wine, Ásgeir, Beach House...

Favourite quote: “She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” ― Elizabeth Edward

www.kareenazerefos.com | @littlekareena

Name: Julio Castellano

Location: Sydney

Artwork name: 'It’s All A Journey' | Inks and acrylics on stained wood

Description: This piece is about being judged people looking at you making decisions, does it matter? This life is only part of a bigger journey.

Reasoning of becoming part: It’s a great cause that struck me, so I created art to support it, also the organisers and other artists involved are doing great things. Brief story how you became an artist: I started doing art from an early age, I come from a creative family, I have always been experimenting with different techniques and styles from street art to gallery pieces. Describe your style: Strong line work, simple colours with moody textures and patterns. Influences: Jeremy fish, Dondi, Dalhi, Jeff Koons, Etam cru, Stick up kids, Broken fingaz crew, My old man, Ferran Adria, Sydney, London, Madrid and New York. Favourite music to work to: Rjd2, Bonobo, Budos Band, Old jazz music, Led Zepplin, Mf doom, Block Head, Aesop Rock, and Random Pandora mixes. Favourite quote: "Be yourself because everybody else is taken"

www.juliocastellano.com | @hulesone

#art #artist #popeye #drawing #hules #pattern #fromthegroundupsyd #fromthegroundup

Jimmy Memento is a tattoo artist from Sydney.

See his work 'Hand of Meditation' in full at District 01, Surry Hills, August 28-31. Presented by Mere.

http://www.jimmymemento.com | @jimmymementotattoo

#tattoo #art #tattooartist #jimmymemento #hand #drawing #meditation

Name: Jay Taplin

Location: Newport, Sydney

Artwork name: ‘Exposed’ | Ink on 400GSM board

Reasoning of becoming part: I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding about these kids living on the streets and situation they find themselves in. Hopefully ‘from the group up’ can provide some needed support for those doing it tough.

Brief story how you became an artist: I’ve always had the urger to draw and make things. The satisfaction you get when you’ve completed a piece of work you’re actually happy with is extremely addictive. It’s a very pure and healthy addiction.

Describe your style: Most of it is pretty simple, I’d describe it as ‘bored kid scribbling in his exercise books at school’

Influences: MC Escher, Doze Green, Mike Watt, Hiroyasu Tsuri “Twoone’, Definitely discovering new places and music is very inspiring too

Favourite music to work to: Anything really as long as there’s something playing in the background… Whatever I’m listening to at the time certainly has a significant effect on the work

Favourite quote: “We are our choices” – J.P. Sartre

@jaytaplin

#art #artist #drawing #feather #feathers #jaytaplin #fromthegroundup #fromthegroundupsyd #Sydney

Name: Irene Feleo

Location: Sydney

Artwork name: ‘Sleep’ | Digital Painting (One off giclee print)

Description: I wanted to illustrate how vulnerable and exposed the homeless often are. I also wanted to convey how a lot of people will turn a blind eye to this group in our community, and hopefully this will encourage people to help and reach out.

Artist Bio: Irene Feleo is an illustrator, artist and designer based in Sydney, Australia. After graduating with a Bachelor of Digital Media, Irene has been designing motion graphics and animating in the broadcast industry for the past 3 years. She is currently balancing various projects and freelance illustration. She is a lover of hyper color palettes, fine lines, interesting faces and creepy creatures. Her work often explores concepts of isolation, folklore, imagination and superstition.

Reasoning of becoming part: I think it is an amazing cause and initiative in our community, and I am absolutely stoked for the opportunity to contribute.

Brief story how you became an artist: I have always been creative for as long as I can remember, and when I went to university to study Digital Media I realised that I loved communicating stories visually – whether it be through a storyboard for an animation, a costume sketch or a digital illustration. I really liked the freedom of being able to draw what ever you wanted and letting your imagination leaf you – so I decided that being an illustrator and an artist was the number one thing I wanted to do.

Describe your style: I would describe my style as hyper coloured palettes with geometric influences and intricate linework. My work often has a whimsical and enhanced vibe that I try to bring out in all my illustrations

Influences: I am inspired by the stories that I hear and by the music I am listening to at the time

Favourite music to work to: I love listening to music while I work, it is probably the biggest inspiration. Right now I am obsessed with Glass Animal’s new album, and also the musician/performer Reggie Watts. Everything he does is insane.

Favourite quote: “Make good art” – Neil Gaiman

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