Cool Hunting

Jane McKay
Australian artist Jane McKay creates swirling artworks that convey a sense of unrest and visual chaos as the colours clash in magnificently elaborate patterns. Her paintings are "abstractions of the landscape in which the land is portrayed as place and life essence…responses to the vast open spaces of the natural environment which reveal existential themes. The distant horizon line conveys the great expanse of...

Liz McKay
Sydney-based Liz McKay is a young figurative artist whose vibrant works draw their essence from "smoky bars, sultry jazz singers, romantic couples and European cafes." Her work is about love, seduction, music and Casablanca-style cool. "Painting is my eternal search to find something of beauty, an expression, a face, a smile. The figures in my works convey intriguing expressions and the interaction between the...

Elbereth Moore
West Australian born artist, Elbereth Moore, is the daughter of a painter and has been studying art seriously since the age of fifteen. She had her first solo exhibition in Melbourne at the age of 24 and shortly afterwards was selected to participate in Berlin’s Galerie Taube’s annual Dezember Salon exhibition. Her art has been compared to Tim Burton, Edgar Allen Poe and to...

Dane Lovett
Since graduating from university in 2004, Australian artist Dane Lovett has had three solo shows in Sydney and Queensland including Bellevue Rivals, which explored the shadier side of contemporary gambling culture and greyhound racing. He also won a Qantas Spirit of Youth award, and is featured on the Noise site. As part of his prize he will travel to Europe and the U.S. later...

Lillian Piri
Those of you looking to kick-start your private collection of young Australian artists should look no further than Brisbane-based painter and illustrator Lillian Piri. She works on a commission basis and has quickly earned a number of prominent placements for her work including last year’s Semi-Permanent London book. Her work is distinctive for its quirky take on common themes. It’s quite beautiful and serene...

Hank and Matlok
Unconventional in every sense of the word, Melbourne duo Hank and Matlok are causing a stir down under with cutting-edge art, quirky prints and intelligent fashion. CH caught up with the duo during their recent exhibition at Robio to talk about art, beer and fashion. (Click images for detail.) What's with the name? Hank: Blame our parents. That's what we normally do. Matlok: Yeah,...