23 March 2021

IT WAS ALL A DREAM!

...But even then AL was talking about his ‘Spookhouse’ concept and everything he wanted to achieve by creating a collision in childhood memory and his artwork.

It’s scary to think that this coming summer marks the two years anniversary of our solo project with Mysterious Al here in Newcastle. A real stand out exhibition for us and some incredibly fond memories forged. But even then AL was talking about his ‘Spookhouse’ concept and everything he wanted to achieve by creating a collision in childhood memory and his artwork. The idea rolled off his tongue, he knew exactly what he wanted to do, so much to the point that I couldn’t fathom pulling it off, the costs were spiralling in my brain, “how could anyone get this done” my inner monologue stated. Well if anyone was going to get it done, it was Mysterious Al. All too quickly did I neglect the massive install he had completed back in Aus before our collaborative concept, that seemed berserk on paper too, and I’m sure lots of peers were thinking it couldn’t be done. So now what is on display is a habit to go beyond the industry norms, and bending the curve of exhibition reality to suit the will of the man himself. It’s either get with it, or get out my way. And we love that!

Reflecting on our project I know how much work goes in, and the scale of the Spookhouse is beyond comparison. As soon as the initial photos were posted I had a shudder at the thought of hanging all those collages so beautifully in that grid format. Just the logistics for the framing, the stretching, the production costs, the lighting, the space, and we haven’t even mentioned the time painting the pieces and the train. Al you are a legend, and we salute you sir, this is certainly one for the books. You’ve done it again.