Kirsty and Tom hang up their screwdrivers.

The time has come for us to end our stewardship of Rooftop Art Space, it has truly been a wonderful experience.

Running an unconventional art space has been a great challenge but an incredibly rewarding one nonetheless. Exhibiting the work of both emerging and established Melbourne artists to such a broad audience has been an absolute pleasure and we hope we have contributed to the wealth of talent and beauty this city is so famous for.

Between September 2011 and May 2014 we have exhibited 52 artists in 37 shows.

A huge thank you to all of our friends and supporters especially Grant Gould, Amanda Brass, Spiro Manolopolous, Jon-lee Farrell, Dane Henwood, Dave Smiley, all the Rooftop staff, Three Thousand, Marianne Diaz, Gwynneth Budge and of course, all of the artists.

Please welcome with open arms the new curators/managers of Rooftop Art Space, Harley Jones and Lottie Phelan. Best of luck for your future shows!!!!!!!

Thanks again.

Kirsty Budge and Tom Budge

Jake Preval "Hotmessblues" 6th January - 1st February

Jake Preval's show Hotmessblues both delighted and occasionally repulsed it's viewers. It wasn't so much the bag of wees or the bronze used condoms. No, the cause of the repulsion was the result of putting real fruit in a perspex box on a rooftop in the middle of a record breaking heatwave. Box 9 (the one with the cut out of Jake with banana eyes) kept receiving lipstick-ee kisses from our loving RAS attendees, that is until the bananas started to rot. 

Fruitiness aside, Jake's show was a huge success, with his striking yellow backgrounds providing a wonderfully playful stage for his beautifully crafted pieces.  Thanks Jake!

Artist Statement

Revelling in the absurd and tragic Hotmessblues combines bronzes, found objects and photography in a series of small works exploring desire, distraction and the domestic divine.

Biography

Jake Preval is a Melbourne based artist working in a variety of mediums spanning sculpture, photography, installation and performance. He is currently completing his final year of a BFA (Sculpture and Spatial Practice) at the Victorian College of the Arts.

See more of Jake's work at www.jakepreval.com 

Melissa Wilson "Cut, Removed + Exposed" 11th November - 7th December 2013

Melissa Wilson creates abstract sculptures that are both visceral and aesthetically pleasing. Her subdued colours and fluid forms create a feeling of familiarity as well as a mild disconcertion, as if you are looking at a very pretty representation of your own organs. The sculptures themselves are quite complex, fabric is sculpted, sewn and manipulated around fine skeletal structures. It was a pleasure to host Melissa's show at RAS!

Artist Statement

This body of work includes fabric abstract sculptures. Mapping time and growth has been an important theme in my work. Organic forms in nature influence these sculptures made with various opaque and translucent fabrics, which investigate branching out and regenerating new growth. 

Biography

Melissa Wilson is currently studying her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art) at The Victorian College of Art, Melbourne 2012-2014

See more of Melissa Wilson's work at www.meljanewilson.tumblr.com

Bonnie Eichelberger "Our Space In Space" 22nd July - 17th August

We were so pleased to host the delightful Bonnie Eichelberger at RAS this month. Her subtle use of pencil, watercolour and ink has an integrity and honesty that lifts her work out of the crowded illustrative swamp. Can't wait to see what you do next!

Artist Statement

Our Space in Space is an exploration of our connection with the universe.

In her debut solo exhibition, Bonnie studies the idea of the spirit of the universe, and it's presence in all living beings.

Biography

Bonnie Eichelberger is a Melbourne-based illustrator who loves porridge. She has recently completed her studies in both illustration and graphic design. Bonnie uses illustration as a medium to reflect on the wonders of the universe. She is mostly inspired by surrealism, people and animal studies.

See more of Bonnie's work at bonniedraws.com.