Presented by Art-Work Agency in partnership with Fast Proof Press.
Each year, Art-Work and Fast Proof Press join forces to experiment with the latest innovative possibilities available in the print industry. Taking form in a limited-edition calendar, the AW team usually creates an artwork for each month, which Fast Proof Press then print and apply stunning finishes to.
This year, we decided to invite contributions from our community, taking the lead from their responses to the theme of FUTURE DREAMS. Our shared future is always in a state of evolution and contemplation – to dream about what this looks like, feels like, smells like and sounds like is to devise our reality.
Celebrated at the close of 2022 with a group art exhibition in our very own Gallery, ‘FUTURE DREAMS’ is our inspiration for the year ahead. Hang yours up in the natural light for maximum impact. Take a moment to run your fingers gently over each page to feel the textures and finishes carefully selected for each artwork by the Fast Proof Press team.
CALENDAR 2023: FUTURE DREAMS is created in partnership with Fast Proof Press. Proudly supported by Spicers, Konpira Maru Wine Company, Gage Roads Brew Co and Altina Drinks.
JANUARY
‘Cool, Caring, Sharing Future’ by Simon Deshon
“My most rewarding and insightful experiences have been in the class room …the idea behind ‘Cool caring, sharing, future.’ is 100% inspired by the need to provide an entertaining environment to keep students from falling asleep.”
Siggo spends his days and nights in the Gold Coast, Queensland fiddling with his sketchbooks or getting ready to teach his talented creative students. Siggo’s first sketchbook was a gift from Nana; a colossal spiral bound thing with ‘Genuine Drawing Cartridge’ on the cover.
One of Siggo’s fondest childhood memories from growing up in the 80s was discovering a large box of tatty comics that had been passed down from his brothers. He would sit for hours studying each panel. His favourite artist is Sergio Aragonés. Soon after Siggo fell head over heels in love with an English backpacker then chased her back to the UK. 20 years, three delightful daughters, a Masters, a BAFTA nomination, a portfolio of work and a hat full of lifelong friends later Simon immigrated back to Oz where he (see first paragraph…whew).
FEBRUARY
‘Frank’s Sundress’ by Sarah Lewis
“A shiny land mass reflects red and green light over its rough, textured surface. Looking otherworldly, it hovers over a moonrise at sea. The moonrise is luminous and golden but hazy and out of focus. Centre, foreground of the landmass, is a group of Iced Vovo Biscuits, arranged to form a triangle pattern.
This imagines a future where we may struggle to remember icebergs existing, getting them jumbled up with iced biscuits instead. My dream for the future is that we listen deeply to country and each other so we can thrive sustainably.”
Lewis is a Queensland cultural producer, public programmer and artist with 15+ years experience working with communities, cultural institutions and festivals. Her independent creative practice is making punk things.
Through art, poetry and performance she tends to cut, paste, repurpose images and words from everyday life to craft new stories. Lewis examines playfully, how contemporary culture creates meaning and belief.
‘Frank’s Sundress’ was acknowledged with a Highly Commended Judges Choice Award, courtesy of Byron Coathup.
MARCH
‘Future Seasons’ by Brad Healy
“My artwork examines how the landscape would change and how we are able to be outside to enjoy it. I see the landscape as alien-like and the grass to have unusual colours but still familiar.”
Brad Healy's practice exists at the intersection of commercial and research and development, through 3D design and animation. How will we interact in the future? Will it be too hot to be outside?
‘Future Seasons’ was the recipient of our Judge’s Choice Award, courtesy of Byron Coathup.
APRIL
‘New York Apartment series: Love drawing’ by Michael Stiegler
“Inspired by the many people and their lives in NYC, I think about all the different things happening in every apartment. How they are decorated and the vibe of these homes. New York apartments are all different and offer sanctuary away from the chaos of the city. Indoor peace away from it all. I wanted to capture that feeling in my illustrations. The indoor plants, the art, the architecture makes me feel at home.”
Michael Stiegler is an Australian artist and photographer based on Gold Coast, Australia. Michael studied fashion design and worked as a photographer’s assistant in Sydney and New York. His frenetic painting, illustrations and mixed media compliment his edgy photographic style, as his surrounds heavily influence each discipline.
His works combine his appetite for art, fashion and photography with an energetic street-art appeal where he says, ugliness and beauty coexist, just as they do in reality. Michael uses his works as commentary on the excess of contemporary culture, portraying the vulnerability, desire, anxiety and lust for consumption in a modern world.
MAY
‘Moon Racer’ by Hayley O’Connor
“Moon Racer is a playful take on a futuristic/fantasy/sci-fi movie concept. I love the way poster art in the 60s – 80s was created by hand. The way they saw the future was kitsch and reflected the style of the era.”
Hayley O'Connor is an Illustrator and Graphic Designer based on the Gold Coast.
Her style varies between detailed and simpler illustrations and typography. Influenced by beach culture, fashion and hints of 60's - 80's nostalgia.
‘Moon Racer’ was acknowledged with a Highly Commended Judges Choice Award, courtesy of Byron Coathup.
JUNE
‘Clear Skies’ by Noah North
“Clear skies. Ever evolving, changing and moving. But to always stay grounded in the consistency of each day.”
Noah North reveals a glimpse of his ideal world within a carefully chosen colour palette. The colours decide their structure and he allows the lines to blend/work towards a balanced composition. Combining sharp edges and smooth curves to deliver a strong mood. Noah believes in creating a reality and creating this on canvas.
JULY
‘SunSetDrive’ by Mike Calvino
“The final sunset will not be televised. I dream of a future where humans slow down, so much so that we begin to go backwards and return to the original analogue experience of once again living in a physical world.”
Mike Calvino is a filmmaker and moving image artist working primarily with high resolution digital video to capture and produce lo-fi ‘analoguesque’ images that invoke a sense nostalgia. In particular, he wants viewers “ to look back as they look forward and to try to feel more and think less”.
AUGUST
‘Connecting is magical’ by Bita Farias Lama
“Human connection is magical. We are all magical. Take the time to just be present, let go of your fears and prejudices. With the ever-increasing use of technology in our lives, I hope we never lose our willingness to experiment with our senses and enjoy the little and simple things in life such as a meaningful hug.”
Bita is an artist, designer and the founder of Banana Chocolate, a creative studio based on the Gold Coast.
She is very passionate about her work because every day is different. Bita enjoys creating, giving colour and life to ideas, drawing big inspiration from nature and self-knowledge. She loves transmitting positive vibes through vibrant colours. Bita makes art in different formats, from digital illustrations to mural painting. She loves how you can connect people and places through colours.
SEPTEMBER
‘Crochet’ by Lucy Lumen
“Lately, it feels the more we move into the future the more we are nostalgic for the simplicity of the past. Nostalgia is a feeling best captured on film and I hope to document that feeling for many years to come.”
About the artist
Lucy Lumen is film photographer and mother who hosts a YouTube channel documenting her analog adventures. Lumen's mission is to make film photography accessible, fun and exciting to any creative who wishes to explore this format.
Shooting film has given the artist an identity outside of becoming a mother and allowed me to connect with a global community online who share the same passions.
OCTOBER
‘Going Bananas’ by Grace Law
“This artwork reminisces the freedom and dreams we have after the expectations of us are met. Whether we have felt we fulfilled them or have managed to release ourselves from them. These banana peels are having a great time having a boogie, now they don’t need to serve the purpose that others, aka humans and society, have given them.”
Grace is an artist, graphic designer, all-round creative being. By day she designs and art directs for Bright Yellow. By night and every other hour, she curates visual theatre projects, paints patterns, and pats cute cats that walk by on the street.
She is inspired by the world around her and finds joy in transforming everyday things. She tries not to take things too seriously (even though she does).
NOVEMBER
‘Space Face’ by Jessica Sonnenberg
“My artwork is set in the Geological era of the Anthropocene, exploring how spatial practice can act as a vehicle for training humanity as they prepare for their final ascent into the galactic unknown; a new adventure for the human race. My artwork explores the importance of preserving the most precious things from our earth – ritual, nature and spirit, in the hope that we can take them to our new home in space. The fundamentals of living will be founded on these principles that are at the core of being and a communal, warm new future will be born.”
Jessica Sonnenberg's practice explores the connection between spirit, mind, body and heart - an anchor for those who need it, and for those who are still searching. She is a collage artist and designer. A dreamer, a lover of creating unique worlds for my viewers to inhabit, and experiences that will help them understand the world and their place in it. Jessica's work is a visual representation of her mind and spirit.
DECEMBER
‘I FIND MYSELF NEEDING TO WITHDRAW DURING BUSY INTERACTIONS’ by Melissa Spratt
“This work is part of a collection titled ‘SENSITISED’ which is a body of 10 textile artworks, a documentary film and print photo-series that reflects on our sensitivity to an ever-changing environment. Supported by a RADF grant and crafted when observing the havoc of a pandemic and horrific natural disasters, whilst identifying as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP).
The artworks are text-based pieces made from special hand-dyed rug-making wool and manipulated via the technique of finger-knitting. These works are created on canvas with bright high contrast colours that translate the powerful words and their meaning through visible tactility, compelling the audience to question their own sensitivities and what the future could entail.”
Melissa Spratt is known for her finger-knitted explorations and finds therapeutic function in its construction. The tactile nature of textile work is her preferred way to translate thoughts and feelings to a viewer.
