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October 1, 2015
Culture

Art for all

Art can be hard. It’s hard to make, it’s hard to buy and it’s often even harder to understand. But local artist and DJ, Driller Jet Armstrong, wants to change all that with the Victoria Square Art Market.

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  • Words: Anthony Nocera
  • Pictures: Julian Cebo

Inspired by the markets of Paris, Driller Jet Armstrong is bringing art back to the town square with the Victoria Square Art Market, which will create a space for the public to get their collections started and meet the artists while they do so.

Remarks

The Victoria Square Art Market will take place on October 11 from 11am to 5pm and is part of Splash Adelaide’s spring program. Food trucks will also be at the event to keep you energised for art buying and browsing.

According to Driller, the key to dismantling the inaccessibility of the art world is taking art out of the gallery.

“Often when one views artwork in a gallery space the artist is absent. This way, people can meet the artist and talk to them about their work in a much more relaxed setting,” he says.

The event, though providing a great chance for the public to interact with the artistic community, will also give artists a chance to showcase their art and sell it on a much larger scale.

“Not everyone can be represented in a gallery. Not every artist can be ‘chosen’ by a gallery director to be a part of the gallery stable. This is a way for every artist, whether they are represented by a gallery or not, to show their art to the interested, art loving people of Adelaide,” says Driller.

“This is how patronage of individual artists can happen and what leads to people being prepared to spend their money and hang your work in their home and office.”

Driller’s support of local artists extends beyond merely giving them a platform to showcase their wares, with the market being run in a completely egalitarian fashion.

“I’m proud to say that, as the organiser of the event, I’ve made it the cheapest market to have a stall. We take nothing from the artist in terms of commission from work sold.”

The notion of egalitarianism is also reflected in the variety of art being showcased at the event, with everything from handmade jewellery and vintage clothing to more traditional paintings and sculptural pieces. The market will also showcase the work of established local practitioners Emma Hack, Anna Collet and Donovan Christie alongside emerging South Australian artists and pieces from Driller himself.

To start your collection, Armstrong says to “buy what jumps out at you. science has tested what one can bring into one’s home to bring happiness and positive energy. Number two on that list was fresh flowers. Number one was original art”.

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