This Is Personal

Drawing Book Studios presents three entire fantastical levels of original drawings by the whimsical Johan Potma, femme fatale Gina Kiel and other exhilarating talents. Prints entitled The Belly Button Fuzzle, Ghetto Catwalk, The Anatomy Of A Unicorn and Octopussy are evidence of the diverse nature of this exhibition.

Upon entering the three level gallery on Erskine Street in Sydney’s CBD what struck me was the colour, quirk and ‘down to earthedness’ of the works, their artists and guests milling about. The art is approachable and refreshing and doesn’t reek of the artworld snobbery we’ve come to expect from Sydney’s contemporary art scene. The artists come from all walks of life, from graffiti artists and commerce students to graphic illustrators, these people have seen it all and this is mirrored in their works.

Whatever your taste, off the wall or traditional with a twist, you will be satisfied. Genres span the categories of sexy pin-ups, maps, science and health, comic art, animation, icons and more. Founders of Drawing Book Studios Kaye Cook, Mike Watt and Matt Jackson sum up the stringent process by which they choose their artists: “We view up to ten potential portfolios every week and only select those artists with the highest quality illustrations and the lowest amount of overlap in style. To us highest quality is defined by reliability and speed of service as well as the highest standard pencils and final artwork.”

So if it’s unique, current and affordable art you’re after, duck in and check out This Is Personal at 72 Erskine Street this week.

Featured artists: Johan Potma, Gina Kiel, Blair Sayer, Anton Emdin, Chris Wahl, Billmund, Christer, Craig Phillips, Davis James, Gerad, Frantz, Joe Whyte, John Shakespeare, Mike Watt, Ken Taylor, Robin Eley, Rod Luff, Simon Noynay, Lucy Izzard.

This Is Personal
Drawing Book Studios
72 Erskine St, Sydney 2000
Exhibition runs until Friday 27, August