Anthony Lister and Vexta



Vexta - http://www.edwinacorlette.com/artists-item?aid=20&iid=958

The Super Heroes

I have recently been to the Edwina Corlette Gallery in the Valley and was surprised to see a group show of street artist’s including the familiar Anthony Lister, a well-known street artist, to be on show displaying his new artwork, and a not so familiar artist, Vexta.  

Anthony Lister is an Australian- born painter and installation artist. He graduated from the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane in 2001. He has travelled extensively throughout the world exhibiting his work both in the gallery and on the streets. He has had solo exhibitions across Australia, United States, Europe and the UK. He currently resides in Brooklyn, New York City. Lister’s work can often be seen and referred to as street art, expressionism, pop art culture and contemporary youth culture. It can be often seen as plain awesome, or related to in some way.

Vexta is a well-known Melbourne artist; her work is mostly human portraiture which also touches upon a sense of futuristic, superhero like feel within her paintings. She is notable for working in a field (street art) with a high male dominance. She was highly influenced by other street artist’s with their use of stencil art, and has used that influence by spraying stencils and screen printing. Her work is both artistic and socio – political.

His new artwork, “Street Face”, 2011, which is exhibited in the Edwina Corlette Gallery, depicts amusing, and expressionistic images of street culture and popular culture with a large face as the focus point; one of the images shows a humorous “finger” sign, while two animals are sniffing each other. This artwork has been executed by mixed media. Lister’s work can be linked back to the movement of pop art with his various relatable images of culture.

Vexta’s new work “The Darksome” 2011, executed by acrylic, enamel and gold leaf on canvas; her use of soft, well blended application of paint and thin drips gives an innocent, futuristic, tranquillity feel for the painting. Vexta’s use of materials are very creative and traditional; Enamel is powdered glass that has been fired, which melts and then hardens to a smooth, durable coating on metal, glass or ceramics; Gold Leaf is gold which has been hammered into extremely thin sheets and is often used for gilding and decoration. Vexta’s work can be linked back to the movement Art Noveau with her use of colour and pattern. 

I like both artist’s as both have very different styles, use of materials, technique, and motivations. I highly commend Vexta for breaking the wall of a male dominant field such as street art and making artwork that is very original and stunning with a motivation to back it up. Lister’s work is humorous at times, creative, and the superhero work he inspires to paint is original.

Abeer Mabsout