That she did this on her own (without paid assignment) and at a time when street artists were considered criminals makes her work even more risky and remarkable. This aspect of her life forms the backbone of the film but it’s far from the defining factor. Martha, now in her mid seventies has remained fearless, unconventional and still totally involved in documenting the humanity in the world around her.

The film is a joyous celebration about art, following one’s own ambitions, seeing beauty in the everyday and never following convention. That the world is slowly catching up with the impact of her work and giving her some much deserved recognition is fantastic. Even with the increasing accolades she remains iconoclastic and true to herself.

Don’t miss your second chance to catch Martha: A Picture Story when it plays on Tuesday, October 8 at the New Farm Cinema.
Rob Hudson
www.biff.com.au

Featuring the work of artists and independent crafters from Brisbane and around the country, WESAF brings together some of Australia’s best creative talent for an amazing festival. West End will be transformed by some of Brisbane’s most talented street artists in an effort to raise the profile of street art painting several buildings along Boundary Street with large murals.

The festival will also include an arts and design market, live music and a live painting exhibition, showcasing the best Brisbane has to offer in art, design and handcrafted wares.

West End Street Art Festival 2017
Sunday October 22 2017
Russell and O’Connell Streets, West End
www.wesaf.com.au

BSAF 2017 program will offer a kaleidoscope of colour, sound and movement to capture the hearts and minds of this wonderful city. It’s a cultural event that invites anyone and everyone to explore, create, collaborate and inspire by bringing people together through art.

Situated over 20 locations around Brisbane with over 100 artists that include internationally celebrated and recognised street artist’s Sofles, Scott Marsh and Drapl alongside performances from the creative geniuses Zoe Porter and Luke Jaaniste.

Join us at Brisbane Powerhouse, the home of Brisbane’s street art, for highlights of the festival including 1 DEGREE // 2 DEGREES exhibition that brings together 15 female creative practitioners to showcase a multifaceted display of contemporary art and design. Where it Began exhibition will also be on show at Brisbane Powerhouse as a collection of photographs that documents the first decade of Brisbane graffiti culture from 84’ – 94’.

The inclusion of workshops and masterclasses in the 2017 program offers an opportunity to work with artists by getting your hands and minds amongst some of the artistic practices that are on show across the festival.

Launch Event
5pm–8pm, Sat 11 Feb
Join us for the opening night of the Brisbane Street Art Festival 2017!  Brisbane Powerhouse in partnership with BSAF invite you to the opening of ‘Where it Began‘ a retrospective photographic exhibition that offers a glimpse into the history of Brisbane graffiti and street culture that begun in the early 80’s. As a tribute to the old and introduction to the new artists will also paint live on stage in the newly developed virtual reality graffiti platform Kingspray. If that isn’t enough to immerse your senses the launch of Art Atlas a new online public art archive will allow to you explore many public art works across Australia in the palm of your hand.

Where It Began Exhibition
Opening Night, Sat 11 Feb
Tue 07–Sun 26 Feb
A retrospective photographic exhibition that offers a glimpse into the history of Brisbane graffiti: a street culture that began in the early 80s.

Live Mural Painting by Scott Marsh
10am–5pm, Wed 15–Thu 16 February: Live Painting
10am–5pm, Friday 17 February: Public Viewing
Scott Marsh’s work explores the growing cross over between graffiti and high art, popular culture and the cult of the celebrity. Marsh pairs traditional motifs, elements of impressionism and pop with the pallet, scale & techniques associated with graffiti. Spending his formative years exploring and painting throughout Sydney’s rail network. “Much of what I employ in terms of pallet, scale and the manner in which I paint comes from my background in graffiti”. The language of Graffiti is deeply personal to Marsh and the foundation of his style and practice. He finds graffiti to be as prolific as advertising, democratic, unsanctioned and accessible to all.

Infinite Dusk
7pm, Wed 15 Feb
Infinite Dusk is the second instalment of HHAARRPP (Luke Jaaniste) and JNXYZ’s ongoing sonic-cinema project called Infinite Dreams, melding abstracted mirrored landscape film with hypnotic quadraphonic electronica and vocal looping.

1 DEGREE // 2 DEGREES
1 DEGREE // 2 DEGREES is a exhibition pair presenting work by Brisbane’s young female artists and creatives in an interactive two night event. At 1 DEGREE all artists will be within one degree of separation from the curator, then for 2 DEGREES each of these artists will in turn select an artist within one degree of separation of herself, creating an outwardly reaching network of female creative practice that spans visual art, photography, performance, architecture, writing, graphic design and more. 1 DEGREE // 2 DEGREES will be accompanied by an exhibition catalogue that aims to capture each artist’s experience of practicing in Brisbane, in their own words.

1 DEGREE Performance
6.30pm–9.30pm, Thu 16 Feb

2 DEGREES Performance
6.30pm–9.30pm, Fri 24 Feb

Brisbane Street Arts Festival
11 – 27 February, 2017
Various Locations – presented by Vast Yonder in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse
www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Mambo: 30 years of shelf-indulgence presents all the ideas, key elements and oddities that have made it one of Australia’s most memorable brands. The exhibition sees NGV Studio housing the largest collection of Mambo works ever assembled, ranging from way back in 1984 to the present day, including original artworks, developmental works (some never seen before) and a retrospective of the most-loved pieces produced during its history.

Mambo: 30 years of shelf-indulgence presents some of the finest elements of Mambo’s creative and very distinctive identity.

Mambo – 30 years of shelf-indulgence Exhibition
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square
06 Dec 2014 – 22 Feb 2015
www.ngv.vic.gov.au