Category Archives: FULLER, TODD

Todd Fuller: Purchased by Artbank

Brenda May Gallery is pleased to announce that Todd Fuller‘s new hand drawn animation ‘adrift‘ has been acquired by Artbank for their collection. The film is part of Fuller‘s current solo exhibition Somewhere in Between which is on view at the Gallery until Saturday 1 December 2012.

Established in 1980, Artbank purchases contemporary Australian art in order to support and promote emerging artists. The program was initiated by the Australian Government and is now part of the Office of the Arts with over 10,000 artworks in the collection. To gain revenues to maintain and expand the collection, Artbank rents works to businesses and individuals across the country.

Todd Fuller + Mylyn Nguyen – Closing 1 December

The current exhibitions by TODD FULLER and MYLYN NGUYEN will be on view until Saturday 1 December.

Filling the Gallery with pensive and joyful sounds are Todd Fuller’s hand drawn films. Both ‘somewhere in between’ and ‘adrift’ can be viewed in a darkened theatrette, specially built for the exhibition. Conveying the emotions of the films in three dimensions are sculptural incarnations of both films’ protagonists. Surrounding the sculptures are Fuller’s works on paper, which are essentially stills from the films. Their worked surface alludes to a narrative far beyond what is present, due to visible lines of addition and erasure.

Extending her previous use of trees in unassuming and curious circumstances – whether that was sprouting from books or preserved in jars – Mylyn Nguyen in her latest exhibition leads the viewer’s fascination to what lies beneath the tree. These often rock perched growths are balanced atop dirt formed animals, toy cars, kitchen implements and other creatures and items of familiarity that have been cast into intriguing scenarios. Nguyen’s works evoke a fore longed sense of childhood wonder.

Todd Fuller + Mylyn Nguyen – Opening 13 November

Todd Fuller’s new exhibition Somewhere In Between brings together sculpture, hand-drawn films and collage to construct a struggle of binary opposites. Fuller’s works are simultaneously personal and about the ‘everyman’, conveying emotions that are often difficult to verbalise. Having just won the Fishers Ghost Sculpture Prize and as the recipient of the William Fletcher Travelling Fellowship to Rome, Fuller’s works have demonstrated their ability to connect with a broad audience.

 

As well as being a featured Gallery artist at Art Stage Singapore in January next year, Mylyn Nguyen’s enchantingly titled An owl flew into my office and told me to look for Bear is her first solo exhibition since becoming a represented artist. Her fanciful pieces show an amazingly creative imagination, unbelievable intricacy and fantastical narratives. As the artist explains, “This is a journey through the everyday in the hope of finding the little magic that I used to carry with me on the train, in my backpack and in the reserved special spot on my desk…”

Todd Fuller, Winner in the sculpture category of Fishers Ghost Art Prize 2012

Congratulations Todd Fuller!

Todd won the sculpture category of the 2012 Fishers Ghost Art Prize at Campbelltown Arts Centre with his work ‘morning minutes’.

The sculpture was first exhibited at BMG in the February 2012 exhibition Major Artists, Major Works. The sculpture depicts the character from his hand-drawn animation ‘somewhere in between‘. The film plays on an iPod within the briefcase displayed alongside the figure.

Todd Fuller, ‘morning minutes‘ 2012, oil + pigment on white earthenware, stool, iPod showing hand drawn animation ‘somewhere in between’, 6:10, 102 x 46 x 42cm

Todd Fuller 2012 Recipient of the William Fletcher Travelling Fellowship to Rome

We are pleased to announce that Todd Fuller has been awarded the William Fletcher Travelling Fellowship to Rome for 2013.

Todd will be completing the residency in April/May of 2013 and we look forward to following the progression of his work as a result of this experience.

Congratulations Todd, we are so proud of you!

 

Image: Todd Fuller, ‘morning minutes’ 2012, oil + pigment on white earthenware, stool, iPod showing hand drawn animation ‘somewhere in between’, 6:10 , 102 x 46 x 42cm

Hungry for Art: Pop-Up Events


Tomorrow night will feature a series of pop-up art events in conjunction with the Hungry for Art festival in Ryde. Two Gallery artists, Todd Fuller and Will Coles, will be participating in the pop-up events on Thursday 15 August from 5-9pm.

Todd Fuller · A projection of the video artwork ‘Summer’s End‘ will play in La Piazza. Fuller’s hand drawn film animation deals with the themes of love, loss, masculinity and the absurdity of the human condition.The central figure of the film represents an ‘everyman’ character.

Will Coles · The sculptural work of Will Coles, Sydney’s well known street artist, will be situated in La Strada. Coles’ sculptures ‘Finite’ and the series ‘Belief, Burden and Memories’ represent a combination of two elements— a single word and a recognisable consumer object.

Interview: Todd Fuller

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What is your earliest memory of making art?
I was always drawing as a kid, I would make my own ‘where’s wally’ magazines, comic books, and paper figures, not to mention houses and towns for all my toys. I was never that cool kid at school who could conjure anything he liked with a pen, instead I was the kid sitting next time and trying really hard!

Do you listen to music when you are creating works? If so, what is on high rotation?
It’s shameful to admit some of the hits I regularly rotate. There are lots of ballads, musical theatre and broadway hits and an unhealthy amount of Glee. I think that no good drawing can come without a little dancing.

Left: Todd Fuller, ‘Tiny Dancer (After Degas)’ 2011, copper & pigment on terracotta, 39 x 34 x 22cm
Right: Todd Fuller, ‘Level One, Introduction to Ballet (Barry in the Wings)’ 2011,
chalk, charcoal and acrylic on canvas, 120 x 150cm

When preparing for your last exhibition, did you create works around a theme or did the links between the works reveal themselves later on?
The message comes from the making, the links and story come to light when pushing through the creation process. Evidently, the ideas and narrative unintentional surface from themes and occurrences in my life, sometimes I don’t realise what they are about until close to resolution.

Describe the space in which you create your works (studio, lounge room etc):
I tend to seek studio arrangements through residencies so I change studios often. Everything in it has to be able to moved quickly and easily. At present I have a great studio at the Firstdraft depot. Its a cute little nook in a brick building on a corner near the domain in Woolloomooloo. In the corner is a cluster of large rolls of paper, their are drawings of all shapes and sizes. I always have a series of lamps for late night work, a pile of clay, a draftsman table and plenty of chairs and stools.

I have a habit of pinning up my drawings until there are no walls left, the result is a like a giant storyboard which is created in reverse. That said I usually leave a wall bare for animating against. My work gets pretty messy so there are scraps and scuffs of paint, clay and ink on most surfaces.

Do you have a favourite piece or favourite pieces? If so, which piece/s and why?
That’s like asking a mother to pick her favorite child!!!

I guess my favorite pieces are those that were unintended to be the way they turned out. The ones which didn’t quite go as planned – in a good way! The films, drawings and characters which somewhere throughout the creation process, took a turn away from what was planned. They offer a pleasant surprise in their resolution. When this happens I find the resulting artworks are far stronger.

Left: Todd Fuller, ‘A Soul On The Street (Tin Man)’ 2011, mixed media collage on paper, 56.6 x 75.5cm
Right: Todd Fuller, ‘Thrust II’ 2010, porcelain, steer, pigment and found object, 40 x 50 x 20cm

What has been, for you, a defining moment in your career as an artist?
When I was younger, I remember visiting Newcastle Regional Art Gallery (now the Newcastle Art Gallery), it was one of the first places I encountered cutting edge contemporary art. Recently Brenda called to inform me that NAG acquired one of my films. I am proud of my Hunter Heritage and to be considered worthy of being in one of the biggest collections in the Hunter Valley gave me a great deal of confidence in what I am doing and the path that I am on.

What did you eat for breakfast?
Each morning I assault a piece of toast with a thick smearing of peanut butter followed by a dollop of lemon spread. The lemon surprise keeps it interesting.