Junk Artist Blog

I even made an Annie doll to keep me company while she is treking in Antartica.

Well Iv'e been working through the night creating a few Junk art dolls after browsing the local church market yesterday in the pooring rain. I came accross two boxes of treasures broken doll bits and pieces paid $20 bucks for the lot. I also watched the movie Toy Story the original last week and liked what the kid did to his dolls when he got angry. When I finally went to sleep this morning, I could hear my dolls wandering around the house laughing and they seemed to be having lots of fun ....

Annie my partner is still in antartica on a 10 week adventure while recovering from surgery. She sent me a painting to describe how much she loves me, I miss her terribly.

Thought I would escape my crypt art house for a coupla days and fly to Mars on my incredible Time Machine. Got a lot of work done while there and cleared my head of the day to day stressors of life. I feel re-energised and looking forward to a busy year. Art Rocks.

As I roam the earth looking for junk.

NO it's NOT

He Robs from the RICH and gives to the poor.

Photo Gallery of some Re-incarnated Junk Works

SA exhibition showcases art and business talent

A unique exhibition has opened in Adelaide this week showing that you don’t necessarily have to starve in an attic to produce great art.

The special one-week exhibition at Norwood’s Adelaide Central Gallery, proves that art is a passion, but that it helps if it’s good business too.

Simply titled ‘Mission Australia’, the exhibition features more than 20 South Australian artists who have established businesses under the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS), run by Mission Australia – one of Australia’s leading community and employment services organisations – and funded by the Federal Government.

Some of the artists have only just launched their businesses, but others are already achieving major successes – painter Deborah Trusson
was an Archibald finalist last year, Gerry McMahon is again exhibiting his animal sculptures, including birds and elephants, at the Adelaide Zoo for this year’s Fringe Festival and Junk artist Stephen Oatway is showing his work next month at New York’s Monkdogz Art Gallery.

“They’re all talented artists in a variety of fields, and they wanted to learn how to make a living from their work,” says Mission Australia NEIS Program Coordinator Warren Silverston. “The NEIS program gives them the technical and planning skills to transform their talents into viable businesses.”

“We’ve been thrilled with the success rate so far and this exhibition is a great showcase, not just of artistic talent but of newly-acquired business acumen.”

Mission Australia delivers 146 community services across Australia, with strong expertise in SA in dealing with homelessness, poverty, family disruption, youth issues, and drug and alcohol abuse. It is also one of the biggest employment service operators in the nation, and the biggest provider of NEIS programs across Australia.

NEIS is an Australian Government initiative that helps eligible unemployed people to start and run new, viable small business

Mr T is a youth paster who rides his hog around Australia helping troubled teenagers his dogs name is Ky.

Check out his site his paintings are awesome.

We exhibited together twice last year in New York City at www.monkdogz.com we both attended the first opening exibition at Monkdogz then spent 5 weeks discovering New York City taking hundreds of photos on the streets of New York where you will find some of the greatest street art anyware in the world. We also stayed together at the Big Apple youth hostel one block up from Times Square. some photos to come stay tuned ...

renkrn8,

powerpainter (http://powerpainter.org/powerpainter/profile) has sent you a message via your contact form (http://powerpainter.org/user/15/contact) at Square Wheels Drive Better! .

Message:

Heej steve, my Art-buddy from down-under....

Look at the frontpage of PP it's all yours for a moment... Including links to yur site and your weblog..

Did you noticed the rss feed of your blog is at the bottom of PP... If you login and press blog this rightside of the article
you can publish your blog on PP too!, you post it once but publish twice.. this will give trafic and atract search engines.. goood!!!!

Oi mate keep up the good works....

Wouldn't it be a good idea if you do a small article about
our worldwide cooperation on your blog? Tell them i mention your name in certain blogs you find here: http://powerpainter.org/videoblogz

and your the posts about you are here: http://powerpainter.org/oatway/posts

These pages have rss feeds too so you might be able to load it on your blog too...

Oiojojo!

CU later on SKYPE!

Marcus

A sky chat conversation with my art brother "Powerpainter" on the other side of the world.

powerpainter says: Happy New Year Steven
powerpainter says: Lots of creativity and good health! lots of wealth
stephen allan oat... says: just watched a dvd of Modigliani he didnt
have a lot of goodluck wealth or health targic love story
powerpainter says: well my years starts very bad, have to go to court
soon for not paying enough for health insurance, i am a criminal now!
stephen allan oat... says: he was a great painter though
powerpainter says: lucky bastard!
powerpainter says: i can't do anything before i solve my probs..
powerpainter says: this situation is depressing me badly..
stephen allan oat... says: just sell one of your paintings for one
million and that should cover you
stephen allan oat... says: when iam depressed i have a drink
powerpainter says: easy said, please ...
stephen allan oat... says: or two
powerpainter says: its no timeto be depressed in australia, here we
lack sunlight and opportunities
powerpainter says: its dark cold grey and loads of probs surrounding me
like devils..
stephen allan oat... says: iam just working on my new canvases titled 7
deadly sins currently on LUST 40 degrees today fucken hot as cat on hot
tin roof
stephen allan oat... says: ask them to leave
powerpainter says: good for you
powerpainter says: i dont care
stephen allan oat... says: i know how you feel we are artist and will
never be defeated when you get to the end of your rope tie a knot in it
and keep fighting the hard fight your time will come
] powerpainter says: then see if i can get some aid in releasing me from
my ever bigger depts and see if i get my water reconnected, and spare me
from being thrown out of my studio
stephen allan oat... says: you are a great painter and survivor Never
Give Up
powerpainter says: look out for a job ...
stephen allan oat... says: yes maybe until you get on your feet part
time work perhaps or sell whatever you have left to get some cash do you
have a car
powerpainter says: to give me some certainty in life to get a place to
live not this cave i dwell in... some place where i can invite a lady to
become my girlfriend... now i am so poor i satand at the sideline and i
have feelings too
powerpainter says: no driverslicense
] powerpainter says: never had the money or opportunity to get one..
stephen allan oat... says: wow didnt no this
powerpainter says: i am tired being the poorest bloke in holland... i
worked like three jobs last years, all went through my fingers like
water.
powerpainter says: it was just not enough..
powerpainter says: i will have to get on with this feeling of defeat,
it nibbles my constitution and passion is gone now... it's just too
hard... no cash on christmas, and lived on the goodness of others...
powerpainter says: feels terrible can't sleep of it my throat is sore
from all this stress...
stephen allan oat... says: the masters would pay for food and things
with paintings can you or have you done this before
stephen allan oat... says: do you have a believe in God ?
powerpainter says: impossible... no paintings left all is sold
allready, have no energy to paint at all...
powerpainter says: did consider ending my life... what's the use of
it... well i wait a little while with that decision... guess things
might change..
stephen allan oat... says: what about your parents can they help you
powerpainter says: no i do not believe in false deities nor gods nor
devils...
stephen allan oat... says: things will change just wait a few years
before that decision about ending it
stephen allan oat... says: is your webcam on show me your face
powerpainter says: nope they can't aren't rich enough... i am applying
for jobs since two months even like cleaning, kitchen aid, carbageman,
even the bad jobs i don't get, i am too old, to expensive, over
educated, under educated .
stephen allan oat... says: send me your webcam link
powerpainter says: http://powerpainter.org/powercam
stephen allan oat... says: ok will open
powerpainter says: i need to get some sleep, i want to get up at 9;00
to be early have to do tyoo much things to safe my goddamn ass..
stephen allan oat... says: ok my friend you take care i will thinking
of you
stephen allan oat... says: you look very sad
powerpainter says: okay.. thnx mate.... i slept all day today so my
rhythm changed too much, wish i had a creative wave like you have man
powerpainter says: i am goddamn sad... i miss my love for live
powerpainter says: i loath it at the moment
stephen allan oat... says: dig deep to find it it is there
powerpainter says: well i find my reality hard to digest steve
stephen allan oat... says: pretend it is a bad dream
powerpainter says: i do all the time but when i wake up its even
worse...
powerpainter says: but thnx 4 the suggestion
stephen allan oat... says: or a fucken nightmare then you wake up in
the south of France lovely lady on your arm beautiful house lots of
money and you sell every painting you create before they have even been
completed Pablo Picasso
stephen allan oat... says: your even wearing a white suit like mine in
New York ha ha
powerpainter says: my world measures is double, one side sees me as
promising and the other thinks i have a nice hobby.... and to my
disfortune the latter have the power in my country... i would like to
start a revolution here , but nobody will follow, they re just too
coward and fed too well with luxury
powerpainter says: i have nothing to loose at the moment, only life but
i don't care....
powerpainter says: lose
powerpainter says: well i hope our next conversation will be more
positive...
powerpainter says: at the moment i am fed up being an artist, 20 years
of work down the drain..
powerpainter says: it feels like my studio burnt with everything in
it...
stephen allan oat... says: indeed our conversation wil be my friend
powerpainter says: everybody possessing my work is happy with it ,
except me... who gave it... 100 % of my soul
stephen allan oat... says: that is all you can give 100%
powerpainter says: they only paid money for it and i had to spend it
quicker than it's earned...
stephen allan oat... says: paint on so you can sell more works
powerpainter says: first get out of my dip... have no peace in my heart
and thats a need
powerpainter says: to be able to do what i do
stephen allan oat... says: ok get some rest and dream in colour
powerpainter says: first get my base redone... see to get the hot
breath off my neck
powerpainter says: shed my skin, get rid of the misfortune that seems
following ne..
stephen allan oat... says: like a snake who shreds his skin
powerpainter says: be a good citizen, have a job for the good of all, a
thing i thouroughly doubt, but... have no choice but slavery
stephen allan oat... says: it will only be short term
powerpainter says: i thought that what i did was for the good of all...
stephen allan oat... says: it is
powerpainter says: now i doubt my existence
powerpainter says: need a shrink, i guess... i am tired walking circles
in my head..
stephen allan oat... says: do you know any you could talk to for free
powerpainter says: every fucking moment i feel like bursting into
tears, which off course i don't and my anger is so overwelming it eats
me from inside..
stephen allan oat... says: tie your pillow up or stand your mattress up
some where and punch the fuck out of it
[ stephen allan oat... says: release your anger
powerpainter says: i don't dare to it's too much....
stephen allan oat... says: then you try to sleep
powerpainter says: i feel stuck
powerpainter says: i read my book to diverse my attention...
hitchhikers guide to the galaxy...
powerpainter says: great book!
stephen allan oat... says: go for a walk or is it to cold
stephen allan oat... says: paint a self portrait of Marcus how he is
feeling now might help to escape into the paint
powerpainter says: well that wouldn't matter to me at all... but i
don't feel like it..hey steve thanx for your concern.... i need a rest
tommorrow will be better...
stephen allan oatw... says: take care talk soon
powerpainter says: i will... i won't give up...
powerpainter says: the final battle has begun!
stephen allan oatw... says: good i need you around to keep me inspired
like you did in new york we had a great time
powerpainter says: eah man... i planted my pix on PP again.... your
innit too have a look at the frontpage
stephen allan oatw... says: ok seeya man
powerpainter says: i go now, bye my far away art-bro!
powerpainter says: was good to talk to you...
powerpainter says: pity i don't see you..
stephen allan oatw... says: i hope to come to holland one day to visit
you
powerpainter says: EEEEj Steve O... you're allways welcome!!!

STEVE OATWAY

A HEINEOUS ART OR STOP LAUGHING THIS IS SERIOUS

Allegedly, during therapy Steve Oatway described (Innocence,
2005), an installation comprised of twenty red paint splattered,
mostly dismembered baby dolls crammed into a large chicken-
wire fronted bird cage. Overseeing this assemblage was a 40cm
MR ‘T” doll complete with studded dog collar, black rat and
whip. The therapist told Steve that the whole thing seemed
heinous to him. Steve now had another way to describe his art.

The meanings, titles and conceptual base of Steve’s works are
fluid. He continually adds to or takes away sections from his
idiosyncratic constructions, changing titles to suit.
Steve, when he is not describing himself as “Australia’s greatest
living junk artist’ more modestly describes himself as an
‘Outsider Artist’.

A Dictionary definition of an Outsider artist is art made by artists
who are either not specifically training as such by defined
standards – is far too broad to be of much use. David Hansen’s
definition is far more helpful, art, ‘where formal properties of
perspective and proportion do not align with retinal reality.
Modelling is minimal, colours saturated…it is obsessive, motifs
are repeated over and over, either in a single work or across an
oeuvre.

Sylvia Keinert’s essay ‘The Boundary Riders, the art of every
Day life.’ Has problems with the pigeonholing of artists within the
term Outsider, in particular ‘Dubuffets assertion that these are
the true artists of the world, he finds universal principles which link Art Brut
(and by implication Outsider Artists) with
Indigenous people and children their art is not cooked by
skilled pretentious of the academy, Kleinert asserts that in the
collapsing together indigenous art, child art and Art Brut,
Dubuffet does a disservice to all three, removing from them their
own specific contexts to appeal to natural and universal values of art.’

In conversation with Steve about these matters he says it
doesn’t concern him all that much, though if pushed he feels
that he identifies, in the way he works with Outsider Artists.
After seeing the Hollywood film ‘Pollock’ and noting the
statement of Pollock that he didn’t paint nature, he was nature,
Steve decided he wasn’t an artist, ‘I am Art’.
Steve’s heroes are Jean Michel Basquiat, Jackson Pollock, Brett
Whiteley and Howard Arkley, all artists who lived on the edge
and dying tragically. Steve often quite convincingly imitates
their styles in his paintings.

Steve Oatway’s contradictory background includes, a long time
public servant, state boxing champion and promoter, an
ongoing battle with alcoholism and caring for a disabled son, all
of which inform his artwork.

In 2003, at the age of 42, Steve gave up his secure public service
job to ‘devote his life to art’, confront his demons, fulfil his
passions, his dream’ and characteristically, optimistically,
‘become rich and famous’.

His art is now all encompassing a part of his person, in body
piercings and tattoos, reflected in his often bizarre dress and
hairstyle, its in his behaviour and now its within the very structure
of his once very ordinary suburban home.

He makes good press, within a very short time has had
Numerous appearances on T.V. raido, local and state
newspapers, and he and his Time Machine 2002 were part of the
2003 SALA Festival Launch at the Adelaide railway station.
He sees his promotional personal as another aspect of his art.

In his video Arty Farty Back Yardy 2004, he appears as a cross
between the early Paul Hogan and Steve Irwin, but above all
Steve Oatway.
Aspects of Outsider art that occur in his work includes, rawness,
re-occurring religious symbols and words, and he has had no
formal training.

The words Redemption, Re-Incarnate and crucifixes appear as
body art and in his prolific paintings and sculptures. The Crypt
2003, was constructed by removing floorboards digging out a
clostraphobic cave beneath his bedroom, decorating it with OP-
shop figurines, kitsch religious icons and weird religious texts.
There is a sense of performance about most of his works.

Room 13 2004, was a second bedroom, it now has windows
blocked out with galvanized iron and contains a decrepit bath
complete with an array of industrial and domestic taps and
plumbing. An iron grid sits in putrid water within the bath which
is connected via electric cables to a switchboard complete with
voltage meters gauges and switches, all recalling a “B” Grade
horror movie set. Steve appears like a mad scientist, white coat,
welders goggles, ready to perform some dastardly deed.

Another room (once the lounge) contains the Time Machine 2002,
which is constructed from parts scavenged from rubbish found
alongside a railway line near his home.
This work also in not complete until Steve occupies the pilots
seat. The time machine has a logbook which details ‘journeys’
taken by the machine. Originally this work was created so that
Steve could go back in time and correct personal wrongs (real
and imagined) that he felt he had committed.

Throughout his work there is a self-depreciating, uncertain,
questioning Steve Oatway, revealed through undeniable humour
inherent in his artworks and persona.

Graham Kenefick

Well I have been out the back welding up some new junk art sculptures, also painting, working on my dolls, found a few dead birds in my yard while working so took some macro shots and framed them, having trouble uploading any images to my blog so hoping to be able to fix this problem and share my latest images with the world. Heard from Annie she arrived safely in Antartica and has been diving with the killer whales and seals today, wish I was there with her, she has 9 weeks left of her amazing journey to go. Will keep you posted to all of her adventures.

back to work for this old junkie art rocks.

checkout the latest opening night at www.monkdogz.com Tortured Artist Show.

talk soon.

Check out my Arty Farty Backyardy Junk Art Show with Steve O on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbo4ay6DlyQ

Go to these two links to see my latest dolls come to life in the Haunted House and see Mr T get married.

http://www.renkrn8.com.au/html/wedding_at_the_haunted_house_p.html

http://www.renkrn8.com.au/html/wedding_at_the_haunted_house.html

Student Negotiated Topic #11

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

Exploring the minds and works of ‘Junk Artists,’ with special reference to Steve Oatway.

Key Items:

1. Methods and materials

2. Influences

3. Narrative imagery

4. Analysis of several artworks

SACE #: 197400 G

‘Trash,’ ‘junk’ or ‘scrap’ is a typical word one uses to describe their rubbish or unwanted items, thrown into junkyards and bins, never to be seen again. Despite the common concept of ‘throwing away’ personal property, which no longer has a use or meaning in the household, one may be surprised to see their ‘junk’ appearing as “Three-dimensional art made from junked materials, such as metal, glass, or wood,”[1] and sold for a few hundred dollars. ‘Junk art’ refers to the nature of artworks designed and compiled by the artists themselves; namely ‘Junk Artists’. This contemporary and alternative form of art has gone somewhat unnoticed, as it is not considered to be popular or recognised as a legitimate or acceptable art form (publicly). Having said this, it is interesting to note that it is distinct and peculiar to only a few artists in South Australia.

Stephen (Steve) Oatway is one artist who chose this path and in particular ‘Junk Art’. After working for 22 years with the Department of Defence, Oatway changed his vocation; stating “…a self portrait of me working for the Department of Defence (22 years) and wanting to be an artist. I guess it shows how I was feeling…so I decided to leave my job and live my dream. I was set free then.”[2]

Artists express themselves in different ways to convey stories or messages about themselves, their world political issues, or experiences. Narrative imagery has played a huge part in the role of ‘junk art’ in society, as it has added meaning and an air of purpose to the artworks exhibited. Some Australians who may be classified as ‘Junk Artists’ include Andrew Hull, Steve Oatway, John Dahlsen (who prefers to be known as an ‘Art Alchemist’), and the late Robert Klippel (who is better known as a sculptor although his artworks do present elements of ‘junk art’.

The materials used in pieces of artwork classified as ‘Junk Art’ can vary from metal scraps, sticks and wood, to mannequins, toys and the kitchen sink. “Off the street, paddocks, rubbish tips, scrap yards and many friends who give me their trash.”[3] Many artists who practice different forms of art including ‘Junk Artists’ are inspired by their surroundings, themselves and their lives. For example, an Oklahoma ‘Junk Artist,’ Jim Powers, has been inspired by his country lifestyle, creating a collection of artworks made by assembling the wheels and parts of junked motor vehicles and old carriages.

For Australia’s junk artist, Steve Oatway, art comes from intuition and inspiration. His sculptures are creative and unique, revealing the most unusual items usually foreign to most artworks. “The art picks me by intuition. Sometimes I might read or see or hear a global story and that will also inspire me to create a piece.”[4] According to Oatway, personal experiences can also be an influence. One of his artworks that reflect this statement is ‘Hangman’ (below). This is an unusual piece which conveys Oatway’s feelings towards his former job at the Department of Defence. “…how I was feeling, sitting at my desk, bored out of my brain and wanting to be an artist…” In this piece, he has used metal farm objects which have rusted. Although he has not had formal art training, he seems naturally talented in collecting and arranging items into different visual art forms.

The piece “Hangman” is made of old metal farm objects which have been compiled to show a sad looking figure which is hanging from a metal frame. The metal is tarnished and it is a 3-dimensional sculpture which shows the welding skills of the artist. Oatway uses the space around the sculpture to create an atmosphere that conveys a sense of melancholy and despair. It almost seems as though there is no life in the sculpture. Oatway has used metal forms to create the body parts and has produced a somewhat symmetrical piece which not only catches the eye but provokes thought as to the meaning of the work and why someone would assemble such a sculpture.

Based on my knowledge of this artist, I can interpret that this piece of work has evolved from memories of his past, i.e. his monotonous job at the Department of Defence. It seems to be Oatway’s emotional response to his former life, saying this is how he would have been spending the rest of his working life had he continued in the same job.

Personally, I think the artwork is successful in that it is an original work of art with meaning allowing it to be free for personal interpretation. I can see that someone with no knowledge of the artist would interpret it differently because of its imagery and the way the figure is presented. It could be seen as a ‘hanging’ with all the conjecture and implications this may bring.

A more professional and well known artist who has created many works using recycled materials is Robert Klippel. Klippel died on his 81st birthday in 2001 and was renowned as an “independent, somewhat solitary but relentlessly creative spirit.”[5] His influences developed from an early age when he started to make model boats and collages. By the end of World War One, Klippel was employed by the navy to make models of aircrafts to aid the recognition of planes.

In my quest to investigate specific sculptural forms of Robert Klippel and hoping to come across some examples of his lesser well known works, I was fortunate enough to make contact (via email) with a woman named Ms. Batten. Batten was involved in the planning and exhibiting of Robert Klippel’s works sometime after his death. Unfortunately, she could not answer my individual questions, but instead, sent me some useful websites, press releases and also some images of his works. This has helped me to understand more about Klippel’s methods and materials, as I now have access to images of his works which I could not previously find.

It has become apparent to me through my studies of Klippel’s work that he uses very linear and geometric-shaped objects to form the basis of his work, which, in turn, seem to evolve into a range of different artworks. I have also found that Klippel was quite keen on working with thin strands of metal combined with larger metal objects and sometimes plastic, to form his sculptures which he believed “must be revolutionized without the human form.”[6] Part of Klippel’s methods and materials are revealed in his sketches and watercolours. He used his preparatory studies frequently while in the process of creating a sculpture. Through his support work, he explored two-dimensional shapes and also investigated sculptural ideas.

As a method of working, Klippel was committed to ‘construction’ which impressed his fellow artists and friends, yet unfortunately did not appeal to the conformist post-war society he was living in. The following statement encapsulates the perception of many in the art world; “…Klippel’s particular vision, inspired by the intricacies and profusion of our natural and man-made environments and by this quest for a spiritually relevant form stands alone in the history of Australian art.”[7] One of Klippel’s most famous works: “Opus 247, metal construction,” “… is one of his signature pieces. The artist has transformed a disparate group of metal objects into a unified composition that is at once alien, and strangely familiar.”[8]

In my opinion, I believe that Klippel’s artworks are free to interpretation as they require no explanation for their meaning or purpose. Klippel has used his freedom of expression and spontaneity along with creativity and open-mindedness to produce an intriguing and intricate sculpture.

In this particular artwork, Klippel has created an original piece from welded and braised steel along with found objects and wood to compose a strange and alien sculpture which is freestanding and is abstract. However on closer inspection, it’s limb-like branches imply a living form. The title alludes to a musical composition sending us messages of a possibly dramatic piece.

“The sculpture…comprises IBM computer parts and other recycled elements…”[9] Klippel’s intentions at the time of creating this piece can be interpreted in many ways. My personal understanding of this artwork is that Klippel intended this form to be both life-like and powerful in its directional thrusts. As well as this, by using the metal parts of a computer, and drawing on my research findings on narrative imagery concerning ‘junk art’ forms, I can derive an attempt on the artist’s behalf to communicate a structured being in the form of a sculpture, and a developing, technologically-based society.

Although my interpretation of this figure is based on personal background and knowledge, this does not imply the real purpose or intention of Klippel’s sculptures, and in particular, the “Opus 247, metal construction.” More so, it reveals that Klippel’s artworks can appeal to different peoples, ages and genders and can in turn, be interpreted in a multitude of way by the audience.

Through both my personal contact with Steve Oatway as well as my extended research on Oatway and the late Robert Klippel, I have come to understand that a piece of ‘junk art’ is not just a compilation of found objects strung together with welding and wires, but in fact a visual form with artistic merit that has the ability to broaden our understanding of our world and times.

I have particularly been interested and influenced by Steve Oatway, as his information, reflections and creative pieces on his website opened my eyes to possible messages one may deduce from his and other ‘junk artists’’ works. Oatway’s poem of his life (refer to Appendix A) as well as the personal pictures, newspaper articles and idea; “I want to infect people with my passion for art, which in turn will awaken and inspire their creative spirit within to be set free,"[10] included in his website invite his audience to enter his personal life and reflect on his experiences. From this they can gain a much more comprehensive understanding of the origins of most of his work, ideas and designs.

“Sculpture is part of many everyday Australian places including streets, public squares, buildings, parks and gardens. Sculptors use materials such as stone, wood, metal, resin and plastics to create anything from small fine art objects to large-scale works that can become powerful landmarks.”[11] This statement released on the Australian Government website perfectly describes the features of ‘junk art’ and what the artists use to produce it. ‘Junk art’ is an important part of Australia’s lifestyle, as mentioned above because of the sheer nature of this form of art and the fact that no one piece of sculpture is ever the same. The website also mentions Robert Klippel as an important part of Australia’s art culture: “Robert Klippel used junk, such as metal wires, cogs, pulleys and other machine parts welded together with other found objects, to create his work.”[12] It would be wrong to state that Australia is famous for its sculpture or ‘junk art’, but it has become part of our culture to have these forms of art in public areas.

To conclude, although ‘junk artists’ have not made a huge impact on the world in a cultural context, they have had an impact on how we see and interpret sculpture. A strong example of this is evident when visiting Steven Oatway’s house which has become a showcase for his sculptures. Oatway’s artworks have attracted the interest of the public who otherwise would be oblivious of the creative and aesthetic elements of this form of art. I certainly have come to appreciate the value and importance of ‘junk’ sculpture and its place in the wider world of art.

Bibliography

Breach born 5am 1961
was this a sign of things to come
I think not
It's just God's way of showing I am going to be different
I slept all day
and stayed awake all night
much to my mother's delight
By the time I was 15 I learnt to fight
and fight I have
through Alcoholism, Asthma, a Broken Marriage and a Disabled son
who is my shining light
for without him I have no heart
He came into the world to show me love
and to not self destruct

My SON Beau did not know what love was till he came into my world.

Thought now that Annie is away for 10 weeks I should distract myself from the emptiness that I feel while Annie is not with me and concentrate on my art practice. Below a critic from my last exhibition in New York in September 06 the show was titled "Came To Believe"

A Near Religious Fervor Enlivens Monkdogz Group Show.

In opening: As its title suggests, the group show “Came to Believe” seen recently at Monkdogz Urban Art was a survey of strongly held convictions, verging on the spiritual, as in the Twelve Step slogan, “ I came to believe in a power greater than myself.” The implication here is that ART can be that higher power, offering the possibility of spiritual redemption.

By now, many of us are familiar with the strange little sculptures of Australian Junk Artist Steve Oatway. A staple of the Monkdogz stable from the gitgo, Oatway attacks sanctimony and piousness in all its forms with eerily extraterrestrial-looking baby dolls wearing big ostentatious crosses, and especially one already celebrated voo doo – like effigy of Osama Bin Laden with a toy fighter plane impaling his abdomen. A dead serious survivor of various personal travails, addictions and blessings in disguise, Oatway continues to fight the good fight with an installation simply called “composition”, in which his bloody Osama doll and two of his clerical figures are surrounded by an array of flags, plastic things that look like tied up bundles of dynamite sticks or electric vibrators, bottles of Heinz ketchup, and other artfully de arranged cultural artifacts that any future archeologists will surely savor in the wake of the coming apocalypse.

In closing Ed comments - An auspicious boot in the ass to kick off the new season, “Came To Believe” exemplified the winning combination of outsiderish passion and insiderish sophistication that we have come to expect from Monkdogz Urban Art at its best.