The Ecstasy of People Watching by Mark Chu

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Posted 2021-02-24 by Jen ⇒ follow

Tue 23 Feb 2021 - Sun 28 Feb 2021

OPENING NIGHT
You're invited to join in and celebrate Opening Night on Thursday 25 February 2021 from 6-8pm at No Vacancy Gallery . RSVP HERE .

In celebration of the Year of the Ox, the artist has also created a 50m2 mural on QV's Jane Bell Lane. His ox is leaping up in a blissful moment of joy. Find out more in his interview with Rain Fuller .

The Ecstasy of People Watching is a major exhibition of over 60 paintings created during and after Melbourne's lockdown by Mark Chu ( @markbochu ) at his 10th solo show from 23-28 Feb 2021 at No Vacancy Gallery , 34-40 Jane Bell Lane, Melbourne. Visit this FREE event during gallery opening hours of Tue-Fri 12-6pm and Sat & Sun 12-5pm. Short and sweet, get in quick so you don't miss out. Mark Chu is a multidisciplinary artist committed to painting, science, writing and public good. For info or a catalogue, email: [email protected]

Mark will also exhibit a sculptural concept work called a Giving Charm, an oxtail bone cast in bronze and leafed in gold (see image above). Its owner will acquire it for zero dollars, under the condition that they will live life as generously as possible while in possession. If they choose to part with the charm, they pass the instructions on to the next owner. There will be five editions, with one available at No Vacancy, its owner chosen from those expressing interest. It's zero dollars to highlight the non-monetary value of art.

Mark's paintings celebrate the communal delight of people watching. He highlights the artist's duty as an observer of human life. Ordinarily, people watching is a daily pleasure, done in solitude or an act of bonding. From speculation to empathy to naked voyeurism, many mental states are provoked by gazing upon others, some joyous and others barbed.

Have we missed people watching lately? How do we gaze differently in this paradoxical time of social distancing and hyper-interconnectivity? Do we turn instead to media, objects, places, or the past? Have private spectacles become public? Chu applies a range of styles to the gamut of emotional experiences prompted by people watching.

No Vacancy Gallery is a Melbourne-based hire-gallery that promotes and exhibits emerging local and international artists. If you are interested in exhibiting at No Vacancy, do contact them via social media.