Such is Life: the Reka and Yok Exhibition

Opening in Melbourne’s Green-wood Gallery on the 16th of July, comes this joint exhibition by artists James Reka and The Yok. The exhibition is titled “Such is Life” after Ned Kelly’s alleged famous last words, and is a visual exploration of Australia’s Bushrangers.

Green-wood Gallery South Melbourne
1 Hotham St, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Phone: + 61 3 9682 3205

Opening Night – Thurs 16th July 6-8pm
Runs: 16 July – 2 August
Hours: Wed-Sun 11-5

How is preparations for the show going?

Yok: Busy, busy, painting, cutting and sawing, at the moment I’m making a wooden Bushranger, its still a bit work in progress, we’ll see how he turns out. We still have a lot to do for the show when i arrive in Melbourne next week.

Reka: I tried my best to get out of this habit, but yet again iv left most things to the last minute! All hung artwork has been finished though. I’m working on the installation component at the moment. The last couple of days Iv’e
been sourcing old bits of timber and rusty iron sheets. Most I’ve found by riding the back streets near my studio.

What made you decide to explore the theme of bushrangers?

Yok: Reka and i decided to do something Australian, something that borrowed from Australian culture, i feel its a lot stronger if we take ideas from what’s around you. I’m inspired by interesting characters and these times had a whole list of bearded scallywags and charismatic outlaws so in terms of subject matter it was perfect.
There were a lot of great stories from those times so my work tries to capture a moment in the middle of those tales, usually a moment when the outlaws plans are coming unstuck.

Reka: It was a mutual decision. I find that exhibitions with consistent themes are alot more interesting and work better as a collection. I always wanted to do an Australian themed show but not make it too tacky. Bushrangers are celebrated as our nations heros. I found this really interesting. Even today we are celebrating our nations villains such as Chopper and even the controversial TV series, Underbelly. I found this as a good starting point for me to generate ideas for my work. This theme is quite broad in terms of how to approach it. I think we’ve both explored different areas within this theme.

How was it working with each other?

Yok: Easy

Reka: Yeah easy. Its the first time we’ve worked on a show together. Its been pretty smooth. nice.

Have you known each other long, prior to this collaboration?

Yok: I have always known and admired Rekas work, so i feel like i have known him for a long time.
We hung out, painted a bit and played super mario cart, when i moved to Melbs about 2 years ago.

Reka: Yeah I used to thrash Mario Cart on SNES. Man I love that game. We have both known each others work for years. This has been mainly through doing street art and characters. We both are heading in the same direction so it was only a matter of time before we collaborated on something like this.

What’s next for you both?

Yok: I have a few plans of more shows in OZ, nothing to tell yet.

Reka: I want to travel next year. Ive got to get over to New York and maybe squeeze Tokyo in there too. There’s talk of a studio tour to South America next year, but i don’t think it will happen. I’ve locked in another show in Melbourne. My focus will be on 3D objects and sculpture installations.

Links:
www.rekaone.com
www.theyok.com
www.green-woodgallery.com

Green-wood Gallery South Melbourne
1 Hotham St, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205, Australia
Phone: + 61 3 9682 3205

Opening Night – Thurs 16th July 6-8pm
Runs: 16 July – 2 August
Hours: Wed-Sun 11-5