EXTRACTS FROM VARIOUS MEDIA “The work of two young Cairns artists is attracting plenty of attention at ‘That Gallery’ in Brisbane. The artists are Susan Ryan and John Douglas, and the theme of the exhibition they are staging is in the gallery is Notuvida Jungle…The work of the young artists has already won acclaim locally, and now their skills are gaining a wider audience.” Cairns Post 1985 “Notuvida Jungle is, I believe, a well intentioned…exhibition…on entering the gallery, all one’s senses are stimulated: there is the sort of eerie music which could, I suppose, correspond to Jung’s use of the word ‘chthonic’, there is incense; and most importantly there is the jungle. The viewers…are at liberty to wander through the ‘symbolic’ space and to confront the objects and images…in order to help us along this path, drawing implements have been provided and we are encouraged to express ourselves either on paper or upon any other surface we may deem appropriate, such as the floor. The whole show has an old fashioned air about it. It reminds me of the sort of thing done by hippies in the 1960’s: amorphous, romantic, easy. It is encouraging to see a show which clearly evinces its authors’ belief in the power, or – if that’s too strong a word – the ability of art to change people. So much art that one sees is uncommitted and uncaring. This show, at least, seems to be premised on the belief that art can touch people.” Pissing in the Wind 1985 "The exhibition deals with communication and its associated problems, such as misinterpretation and frustration...every painting in the exhibition is divided into segments and pieced together and this...represent(s) difficulties in communication and the piecing together of information...it is also symbolic of the different parts of our psyche..." Campaign 1991 "The wait is over...Cassie Clit in Purgatory is the title of John Douglas's funky, irreverent exhibition opening this week...Cassie Clit uses Madonna's ...best-seller, Sex, as the starting point for an hilarious spoof which features drag queens and leather men posed in the style of 12th-century Christian paintings. The show is accompanied by a text written by Victor Barker, author of The Tangier Script. Launched with a lavish party featuring top- flight, world-class, shithot female impersonator Hugh Monroe..." Capital Q 1993 "The act of painting is in John Douglas's blood...one of the fortunate few, he has always managed to find exhibition space in the mainstream, but agrees that this Gay & Lesbian Festival provides a unique opportunity for queer artists to show work celebrating their sexuality with pride. I Am Your Secret Judge is a collection of self portraits, an honest display of the artist's persona, a chance for us to interact with him...there is a triangular relationship between the viewer, the painter and the painting itself. They all interact and they all learn from each other....his collection of work is diverse." 3D World 1994 "From John Douglas, who brought you Cassie Clit in Purgatory, comes a series of confrontational and erotic self-portraits expressing a unique and revealing homosexual life experience." Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Guide 1994 "...This year, John Douglas has an exhibition of a different kind. His erotic and revealing self-portraits in I Am Your Secret Judge dip into gay iconography (St Sebastian) and examine the male form in ways that are, well, to say the least, bound to make you a little anxious. John Douglas is an award-winning painter whose exhibitions have been seen Australia-wide. He also has an impressive history as a curator." Sydney Star Observer 1994 "...I Am Your Secret Judge, a confrontational...collection by John Douglas..[along with the other Mardi Gras exhibitions] offers several days of browsing for art buffs." Westside Observer 1994 "Iron John is a retelling of the Grimm's Fairytale. The paintings are joyous, childlike and colourful, yet somewhat grotesque...catch it if you can." Brother, Sister 1994 "Just as Sydney rushes to see The Adventures of Priscilla; Queen of the Desert for the first, second, third time, comes an art exhibition starring the real thing. Iron John features Cindy Pastel and Stryker Meyer in a pink and glamorous...re-telling of the Grimm fairytale of the same name... Following on from the success of [his last] exhibition, John Douglas has just been given another grant by the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Association to develop an exhibition for next year's festival." Vertigo 1994 "John Douglas has curated and exhibited widely since 1983 and was awarded a grant...this year for his exhibition I Am Your Secret Judge." Campaign 1994 "John Douglas couldn't be more timely with his exhibition Iron John." 3D World 1994 "Sydney artist John Douglas has now reclaimed Iron John for a queer bent, and his paintings feature various celebs..." Sydney Star Observer 1994 "Douglas's paintings, which are based on photocopied images, recast the story into a distinctly gay setting..." Outrage 1994 "...one of the most popular is likely to be John Douglas's Homo Lives! In Portrait, a collection of portraits of prominent figures in the community..." Outrage 1995 "More than fifty portraits of prominent and influential dykes and faggots, every one of them out and proud. Photorealist portraiture of the queer rich, famous or powerful..." Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Guide 1995 "AIDS activist Andrew Morgan...and nun-to-the-stars Fabian Lo Shiavo are but two of a very prominent group of 50 queer community movers and shakers who have been immortalised on canvas by the remarkably talented and witty John Douglas." Sydney Star Observer 1995 "...even if you do not know [all of] these people, they have contributed to our community in one way or another. Most amusing and dubious 'couple' are Stephen Dunne and Kirsty Machon ...[Homo Lives! In Portrait] is a very impressive collection with some excellent portraits." Sydney Star Observer 1995 "John Douglas is a well toned painter who lives in an eyrie adorned by Ren and Stimpy kitsch, collages by dead icons and music by live icons. He is a practical visionary, a social satirist and as queer as they come." Capital Q 1996 " ...The murals around the dance hall by John Douglas were wild, and were perfect for the amazing music. Shame we don't get to see such good stuff at certain other dance parties." Capital Q 1996 "John Douglas...has had numerous exhibitions over the years, and recently designed and painted the interiors for alternative Sleaze ball party 'The Devil Made me do the Hustler'. Douglas currently has an exhibition...titled Love Amulets of the Clumsy Duchess...Douglas has worked for several charities over the years, and is currently helping to support a permaculture-based children's refuge in Uganda...solo exhibitions will be aimed at directly financing this cause...don't miss the last week of Amulets as it wraps up..." 3D World 1996 "I am you and you are love - you may have seen this phrase scattered randomly throughout Oxford St. It is actually one of the themes behind an exhibition by John Douglas and what exhibition is complete without an adventure lurking behind it..." 3D World 1996 "Sydney maverick gay artist John Douglas is at it again with Love Amulets of the Clumsy Duchess...a delightful, fun body of work..." Outrage 1996 "...I particularly want to commend artist John Douglas for his excellent cover and inside graphics. I hope that in future we will continue to see visuals as good as these..." Talkabout 1996 "Former Gladstone artist John Douglas has worked long and hard to establish a career which has attracted international acclaim. For his next exhibition he has devoted his considerable talent to a cause close to his heart...proceeds of his exhibition Angels Over Australia will be donated to the Permaculture Training Centre of Uganda...he went to art college and was in living in North Queensland when his work started attracting international attention..." Gladstone Observer 1996 "He's back! The irrepressible John Douglas takes us on another journey, this time with Charlies Angels like you've never seen them before..." Sydney Star Observer 1997 "John Douglas is no stranger to bizarre painting, and this show is his third solo exhibition presented as part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras." Adelaide GT 1997 "Apart from numerous successful solo exhibitions throughout Australia, well-received solo shows in Paris and San Francisco, John will present his first one-man exhibition in New York this year...proceeds from Angels Over Australia will be donated directly to financing a permaculture-based children's refuge in Uganda. AIDS has created an incredible number of homeless and sick children in Uganda, and Angels hopes to be able to give... financial assistance..." 3D World 1997 "What is Love?, an exhibition opening on Valentine's Day...will benefit the AIDS trust of Australia...[and] will feature the original works of... 20 prominent artists...including John Douglas..." Talkabout 1997 “Has Darlo artist John Douglas been making an exhibition of himself again? Posters claiming he uses and recommends big toys and cement have appeared all over the inner city. We assume he’s responsible, but we could be wrong. The Artist Formerly Known as Princess gets blamed for everything around these parts.” Sydney Star Observer 1997 "John Douglas, better known for the...exhibitions of his paintings, ("the artist formerly known as Princess") has been working..." Sydney Star Observer 1998 "This year Signal, a male recreational sex venue not known for encouraging arts, hosts an exhibition by painter John Douglas. The images have a gentle, idyllic quality, almost an innocence, rather than a heavy, hard core edge." Sydney Star Observer 1999 "Multi-self proclaimed genius and vain, ego-maniacal artist, John Douglas, is to publish his own autobiography…the book was truly a labour of love, given that the alleged creative prodigy wrote the entire 72-chapter opus while confined to a straightjacket and padded cell." The Daily Plague 1999 "John Douglas is a Scottish-born artist, who was raised... in Australia...Although his painting style is somewhat eclectic, there is a common theme through all his paintings. John uses his paintings as a wake-up call to the viewer - to get the viewer to challenge/question self-paradigms. In recent years there have been many rumours about John...These accusations have not seen the artist imprisoned or sued - yet! At the time of writing this, he remains on the loose, and working on several projects." Waterboys Magazine, USA 1999 " Last February, artist John Douglas created quite a stir with his [Going For Gold] exhibition. Some found his lyrical watersports paintings offensive. Others turned up their noses at his Scat, Cat! images of felines (created using real cat poo). This year Douglas is back with an exhibition of his most recent works, Dead Friends, a series of paintings of his friends who have died from HIV-related illnesses…" Sydney Star Observer 2000 "John Douglas is a lightning rod of controversy in his native Australia, but he reveals his softer, gentler side at Rotunda Gallery…Adorned with a tattoo of a fierce Chinese dragon that almost covers his left arm, John Douglas has always embarked on exhibitions that heavily push on edgy. He deals with sensitive subjects like AIDS…But in a solo exhibition called From A Fable To A Fool the Australian showcases…quality works that are the complete opposite of his usual oeuvre…A typical target of this radical's ire has been the media in…Australia… However John's tamer art is received in Bangkok, it's his controversial side that may well intrigue others, such as the paintings from his 1998 Scat, Cat! Series, that have been withdrawn from the Rotunda gallery show. At first glance they are cute, harmless finger paintings of cats in different poses. So what's the problem? It's drawn using feline excrement…The works are reminiscent of Chris Ofili's Shit Head, an art piece made of elephant turd…that aired in the Brooklyn Museum of Art. But whereas Ofili's piece addresses black cultural stereotypes, John's address a social issue using the 'dangerous' medium to present stark paintings…In this tradition [of art invoking intellectual reaction], John's work is aggressively modern, creating awareness of a problem, yet titillating with the danger of the new…In the meantime, the general public will have to content with his more sublime, colourful and delightful body of work. Bangkok Metro, Thailand 2000 "John Douglas began his professional career in 1982 with awards and a group show already solidly backed up by an extensive history of curatorship. In 1985 he embarked on an impressive series of solo shows…Douglas continued his interests in supporting charities for children and people with HIV/AIDS…Private collectors in the USA and Europe have purchased his works." Thailand Tatler 2000 "…John Douglas will be presenting a major retrospective of his past and present works. From A Fable To A Fool brings together his series of works on various subjects and themes: [his] interest in Eastern thought developed through his stays in Buddhist and Sufi communes, and through the affinity he felt with Jungian psychology. He is very fascinated with universal symbols and how they apply to everyday life, just as Jung was." Guide of Bangkok, Thailand 2000 “From A Fable To A Fool, an eclectic collection of paintings by award-winning Australian artist John Douglas…" Bangkok Post, Thailand 2000 “Australian artist John Douglas has launched a new website of his artwork. John Douglas has extensive exhibition and curatorship experience, including several exhibitions with Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival. He has directed the fine arts section of the QAF festival in 1999, and designed merchandise for the Wet ‘n Hot festival in the USA. Recently he has had successful solo showings of his work in France and Thailand (where his Scat, Cat! series of paintings achieved notoriety by being banned from view). His work is held in major collections around the world. John Douglas currently writes for Talkabout Magazine on issues affecting People Living With HIV/AIDS in rural NSW.” Tropical Fruits 2001 “A design by John Douglas will adorn the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation’s inaugural greeting card, available for purchase from October. Douglas’s design depicts an angel, representing BGF staff, volunteers and supporters, stars for people living with HIV, a house, symbolising emotional and financial security (as well as Bobby Goldsmith House), and bright, bold colours, signifying hope, optimism and diversity. Douglas was the winner of the BGF’s inaugural greeting card competition, which was judged by Liz Ann McGregor of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Reg Mombassa from Mambo, writer and columnist Maggie Alderson, visual artist Murray Hilton, Alan Strum from sponsor Bristol Myers Squibb and Georgina Harman of the BGF. The competition is now set to become an annual part of the Foundation’s fundraising activities. “It’s a great pleasure judging for such a worthy cause,” McGregor commented. “I hope the card sells thousands.” Sydney Star Observer 2001 “John Douglas, who has been selected as the winning artist in the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation’s inaugural greeting card competition, has donated his prized art to Sue Rodda, HIV Support Worker AIDS Council of NSW (ACON). BGF said they were overwhelmed by the number and quality of entries which were received for the competition…however, the judges unanimously felt that the symbolism of John Douglas’s design both reflected the mission and vision of BGF while it’s fantastic colour and wide-ranging appeal would ensure its commercial success. John said that winning a prize from BGF and donating the Angel Art to ACON ensures that as many people as possible will have access to the message in his art." Q News 2001 Controversial Gay Painter Makes U.S. Debut at GLCC. Australian Artist Arrives in South Florida After ‘Catfight’ in Bangkok. "A controversial gay artist who caused a recent uproar in Thailand made his United States debut last week at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) of South Florida. The show, which debuted at the GLCC on May 15, features the artist’s controversial series of paintings made from cat feces. They were banned in the Asian nation. Australian painter John Douglas, 38, garnered worldwide media attention in Bangkok last year when his series titled Scat, Cat! was removed from an exhibition of his work at one of the city’s most notable English-speaking galleries. The show was brought to the city after some of Douglas’s work was spotted by American diplomat Michelle Kaminski at a friend’s home in Australia. Douglas was already well-known as an art-world bad boy in his hometown of Sydney because of his colorful and satirical pieces painted in a variety of different media. Kaminski, who was working as a diplomatic courier at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, contacted Douglas after securing him a spot at the city’s prestigious Rotunda Gallery, located in the Neilson Hays Library. The library is one of the few remaining colonial style buildings in Bangkok and holds one of the city’s only English-speaking gallery spaces. Douglas flew to Thailand to set up the show, just after a series of elephant dung paintings by London artist Chris Ofili drew protests at a Brooklyn Museum of Art show. Ofili’s work was also cancelled from bookings in other cities across the globe where it was scheduled to appear. That controversy smeared Douglas’s show, which featured his cat series, from the beginning. Douglas rushed to defend the series. “They are finger paintings, and I tried to work with something that is considered a danger to people with HIV to touch in everyday life,” said Douglas. “I was trying to make a statement that you can still do things that they say you are not supposed to.” In response to its removal, a British society club decided to show the cat series as Douglas’s other works continued to run at the Rotunda. The controversy even attracted the Israeli ambassador to Thailand to open the showing in support of the work. Following the Thailand shows, Kaminski was restationed in South Florida and convinced the GLCC to host a new exhibit featuring Douglas’s racy works. Although most of the paintings in the cat series have been sold, the few that remain are currently on display at South Florida’s home for the gay and lesbian community. The Center was chosen because of Kaminski’s belief that the show needed to be in a setting where it could appeal directly to a gay audience. Titled All Together, the exhibition shows off several years and phases of Douglas’s work. “There hadn’t been a gay connection in the Bangkok show,” said Kaminski. “I thought it would be nice to have a gay connection here, especially with the controversy. It seemed like a good idea.” Douglas agrees that the unusual setting for the groundbreaking show, which also features paintings that poke fun at Britney Spears, Princess Diana and Kylie Minogue, is better than a showing in a typical gallery space. “People come in here not to specifically see the show, and I like that,” says Douglas. “It makes it living work. In a gallery, they are just people there for that show. It is exciting to see my art in real situations where the dynamic of people is not going out to the art specifically. I don’t like artwork being safe on a wall or there to match a curtain. I like work that grabs people in when they don’t expect it.” The GLCC is happy to house the exhibit, and they have plans to present a new artist to the community every two weeks. GLCC Director of Development Terry DeCarlo says, “It is part of the mission of the GLCC to support our arts and culture. We will continue to show more groundbreaking artists, and we love having an artist of [Douglas’s] caliber here. It is a pleasure to host his work here.” The show could also be appearing in other U.S. cities soon. Douglas is already meeting with curators from San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Kaminski hopes to bring the show to Frankfurt, Germany, when she relocates again in the coming months. Before it moves forward, though, the exhibit has already gathered its share of controversy in South Florida. A painting from another work in a different series uses the word ‘nigger’ and has drawn complaints from several viewers. The reference, which is featured on a painting of a horse with an extended phallus, refers to the name of a horse owned by one of Douglas’s childhood pals. None of the attention has hurt Douglas. He will next premiere a special exhibit at the 2002 Gay Games Cultural Festival in Sydney, Australia. Titled Backwards-Head Boy, the series will tell the story of a boy who battles evil Elton John and Madonna likenesses as they attempt to throw Gay Games participants off of city rooftops. Douglas says he continues to paint as part of his own self-exploration. “Painting is therapeutic and healing for me, and it has always been therapy first,” says Douglas. “It is always about joy and self-expression while using materials rather than technique.” ” The Express, USA 2002 “An art exhibit that caused controversy in Bangkok in 2000 because of pictures of cats made with cat feces is coming to town. These works can be viewed for free as part of a display in the main hall of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 1717 N. Andrews Ave. in Fort Lauderdale through June 7. John Douglas, an award-winning Australian artist whose work has been shown across the globe, has done the works on display and is calling it All Together. Many works with various themes and purposes are on display, such as Douglas’ interpretations of Princess Diana, which were inspired by Andrew Morton’s book Diana, Her True Story. One of the pictures in the Diana series is Douglas’ interpretation of Diana using her son Prince William to gain the upper hand on the Queen. “My current work is very rough; one might consider it neo-expressionistic,” Douglas said. Douglas began painting when he was only eight. Douglas, who lives in Sydney, said Australia is a beautiful country and he loves living there, adding that it has many of the best and worst features of the United States. Douglas has been a strong advocate of helping people with HIV and disadvantaged children. Douglas will be in the South Florida area for several weeks and then has to return to Australia for a teaching assignment where he will be teaching HIV-infected men and women how to paint and use this form of expression to resolve some of the issues faced by being infected and living with this disease. Art Space has approached Douglas about placing his work on display at its location. For more information on the exhibit, visit the Gay and Lesbian Community Center or call (954) 463-9005.” Eastsider, USA 2002 "2D-2-3D, a computer slide show by HIV+ Australian artist John Douglas is on show today as part of the Mardi Gras. The exhibition is described as “Andy Warhol’s Empire meets David Lynch” in a homage to the city of Sydney. Douglas has also exhibited work in Paris, Bangkok, and Fort Lauderdale. " Sydney Morning Herald 2003 LAST CHANCE TO SEE "The Mardi Gras Festival is almost over and a number of exhibitions is still open but close this weekend. Get in quick to see HIV-poz artist John Douglas’s computer slide show 2D-2-3D, which continues at The Positive Living Centre until 1 March." Sydney Star Observer 2003 "The first photo installation by controversial Australian artist John Douglas, 2D-2-3D is a computer slide show…Capturing the nuances of streetscapes in the Kings Cross/Darlinghurst/Surry Hills area of inner Sydney, this exhibition serves as a reminder that, as we rush through our ever- busier lives from one place to the next, we overlook the details of the world around us. John Douglas’ paintings have been exhibited around the world in solo shows." Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Guide 2003 "As part of this year's Mardi Gras, the AIDS Council of NSW presents an exhibition of mixed media which explores gay men's relationships, safe sex, condoms and HIV. Featured artists include…John Douglas…" Sydney Morning Herald 2004 "The arts component of the Mardi Gras is arguably one of the most popular limbs of the festival every year, after the major events such as the Parade, Party, and Fair Day. Time and again, performances, exhibitions, and installations are mounted as part of the cultural festival that draws attention and often a sizable amount of controversy. This year is an exception to the rule. In 2004, the most challenging and unique exhibition of contemporary art is not actually part of the official line-up itself. It’s not even in a gallery. John Douglas is an Australian artist whose works are both varied and intrinsically recognisable to the people already familiar with his previous pieces. Beginning his career in Queensland, he was expelled from the Queensland College of Art in 1984 for being a “disruptive and disturbing influence”. Previous solo shows have been included in Mardi Gras 1994, 1995, 1997, and 2003, an exhibit for the Sydney 2002 Gay Games Cultural Festival and also taken his works overseas, with solo exhibitions in Paris Bangkok, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Douglas’ choice of media is often as telling as the actual painting or sketch, utilising organic materials, usually those produced by the animal organism itself. This is evident in past works such as his ‘Scat, Cat!’ series (cat faeces and acrylic on paper) and the ‘Love Amulets of the Clumsy Duchess’ series (ink, acrylic, gouache, semen, blood, urine, gold thread, and photocopy on handmade paper). As is the case with other artists such as Andrés Serrano, famous for his ‘Piss Christ’ piece that was vandalised whilst on exhibition in Australia, and Chris Ofili, whose piece titled ‘No Woman No Cry’ won the Turner Prize in 1998 amid controversy regarding the painting’s composition incorporating elephant dung, some viewers may have a difficult time accepting these particular media as ‘legitimate’. However, many art critics believe the use of bodily waste and excretions of the human and animal anatomy tie the subject matter and message behind the work to its physical existence in a way that is either lost or lessened by the use of conventional materials alone, however, as is the case with art as an entity, this is open to much debate. Apart from painting and sketches, Douglas is also an accomplished photographer, an internationally published writer (both fiction and nonfiction), cartoonist, web designer, and activist, particularly in regard to the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS as well as disadvantaged children. In 1996, he successfully campaigned to improve the lacklustre training of the NSW police force in matter related to or involving HIV-positive people. This current exhibition sees Douglas using a relatively untried medium in what can only be described as a unique venue. The exhibition is being held as Signal, the sex-on-premises venue in Darlinghurst, who puts aside wallspace for artworks by gay and bi men, and preference is given to works that may be perceived as “erotic”. The exhibition itself, entitled Caught in the Cottage, features figurative works inspired by various public identities who have been discovered having some form of public sexual contact or otherwise “caught with their pants down” over the last fifty years, such as Sir John Gielgud and Alan Jones. Existing as both a cutting narrative and a humorous look at modern male sexuality, the works in the series are penned on toilet paper from the Will Rogers Memorial Park public restroom in L.A., California, where singer George Michael was arrested and charged with committing a lewd act on 7 April 1998. Michael was arrested after plainclothes police patrolling the bathroom claim they saw him masturbating and flashing his buttocks. Using a rudimentary line-sketch technique, Douglas manages to convey the humour of the subject, the images themselves being reminiscent of the type of sexualised graffiti imagery one would expect to find in a well-used public toilet. The use of Signal as the venue for this particular exhibition is subversive, yet quite fitting, and adds to the humorous yet erotic atmosphere of the works. It is not often that an exhibition regarding male sexuality takes place in a venue that, at the very same time, sees men partaking of the activities represented in the works themselves." SX News 2004 "This tongue-in-cheek exhibition features gay drawings penned by John Douglas of celebrities caught with their pants down. John Gnash, Jimmy Somerville and George Michael etc are discerningly penned on toilet paper from the site of George Michael’s arrest. An ironic and entertaining look at male sexuality." SX Compact 2004 "Web exhibit John Douglas’ PACKETS explores the hopes and fears linked to sex, love and HIV in a retrogressively conservative political climate. Using images…derived from the artist’s own photography and painting, John Douglas’ PACKETS is a disturbing yet humorous online journey through confrontational thoughts and desires. John Douglas has previously participated in several exhibits with Sydney gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Over the last ten years, his international reputation has grown with each subsequent solo exhibition in such places as Fort Lauderdale, Istanbul, Shanghai, Paris, and Bangkok. Recent projects have included a commission to photograph the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, a solo exhibit of paintings My Friend’s Bordello in People’s Square, Shanghai, and photographing the midnight sun over Antarctica on New Year’s Eve 2004." Talkabout 2005 "Three weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of art in our lives and the implicit role it plays in our wellbeing. Today, I take these notions to the individual level and look at the life of a local artist and see that, for some, art is just far more than a pleasant divertissement; the need to express themselves is the essence of their existence, regardless of the implications, insinuations, accusations, ovations, or celebrations that may result. There are some amazing people in this world. Some have beauty, others brains; some are bestowed with trust fund endowments, others with endowments of considerable weight and girth. Some receive recognition they may or may not deserve, others make due with the satisfaction of refusing to be vanquished by obstacles to living their dreams and realising their destinies. Artist John Douglas falls into this last category. Like so many gifted Australians, his talent is more celebrated overseas than at home. After numerous painting exhibitions around the world in such diverse locations as Bangkok, Paris, Shanghai, and Fort Lauderdale, not too mention photo montages displayed and short stories published, John goes about his work unhindered by the comparative lack of recognition in his home country. When I first met John, I was impressed with his absolute dedication to art as a tool of self-expression. Regardless of the medium—painting, drawing, photography, the written word—John pursues his work with gusto. He somehow finds the core spirit and brings it to the surface; some of his works are deceptively simplistic in appearance yet represent a minefield of symbolism and subliminal communication. Most notorious of John’s international exhibits was in Bangkok where his Scat, Cat series of kitty-turd-as-paint fingerpaintings drew the consternation of the authorities—and rave reviews. This was vintage John Douglas, he who designed Ward 17 souvenir T-shirts and had a used condom hanging from his depiction of a male anus. But that was the old John; the new John is even less traditional in his chosen media but no less confrontational in content, as his online Mardi Gras Festival exhibit John Douglas’ Packets reveals to all brave enough to visit the website www.johndouglasart.com. This, just after his return from Shanghai where he exhibited smack dab in the middle of People’s Square his series of paintings of Hobart bordello interiors. Though he’s been around the Sydney art scene for a long time, Douglas still has the wherewithal to find a new angle on his creativity rather than feeding us the same style, medium, and genre over and over again. He is well known in certain circles for his artwork in previous Mardi Gras Festivals and last year’s out-of-Festival toilet-paper-drawing extravaganza Caught In The Cottage, a series of fine-line drawings executed on stock purloined from the scene of singing budgy George Michael’s apprehension by the Los Angeles authorities for looking for a bit of boy in the ’hood. Now, recently returned from a stint as artist in residence at a remote Aboriginal arts community in Cape York Peninsula, he is taking his art in new directions; his Earth, Water, Sky painting series was inspired by the interaction with Nature during his time in Far North Queensland. John is somewhat bemused by the course his art has taken over the years. His beloved Why I Hate John Howard website was possibly his most satisfying endeavour ever; the fact that the government saw fit to eliminate it from the World Wide Web John sees as a typical and unsurprising demise, further endearing its memory to him. It was a long and arduous journey that took an ostracised Queensland schoolboy track star from the bustling metropolis of Gladstone, the bauxite capital of the world, to the bitchy, parochial provinciality of the Sydney artworld. John was expelled from his art college for being a disturbing influence; he must have been quite a handful to disturb young artists—or is the fact that one can be expelled for being a disturbing influence disturbing in itself? At any rate, his career took off right after that episode, though he still considers himself far from successful professionally. When asked if it bothers him that an artist can stick a cottonbud on the wall and get hung in the MCA while his deceptively simple yet highly symbolic paintings are dismissed as childlike, he answers, "Yes". Beyond painting, Douglas never stops widening his artistic vision to other dimensions; newly intrigued by video, he currently busies himself experimenting with moving images and filmmaking, applying his experience as a photographer to unstill life. Not that his photography will go unnoticed; expect to see a photographic series of world images from John in the future in addition to his continued weekly interpretation of what a gay wellbeing writer looks like while attempting to personify intangible concepts. In fact, my own association with John has been a prime catalyst in motivating me to effect positive changes in my existence. Rare are the men more committed to his art than Mr Douglas; less rare is the desired result of what he sets his out to do. If you keep at it, you can make it happen. Commitment, drive, and suppression of fear are all necessary to succeed in whatever it is you want to do, in art and elsewhere; as we’ve heard countless times, for every big-name actor there are a hundred thousand struggling thespians. In the world of fine arts, the odds are likely even greater; for every Christo or Keith Haring, there are a million artists who create for their own satisfaction, reluctantly or otherwise. Any material success is incidental, coincidental, or the result of sucking off the right art dealers and gallery owners. John Douglas is not the only local talent to be underappreciated. Maybe it's that undying, underlying Australian belief that it must be better if it's from somewhere else. Then again, maybe it’s just a human trait, since his work is from somewhere else when displayed overseas. Where does that come from, anyway, the idea that it must be better when its from There and not Here?" SX News 2005 "For some people, the need to express themselves is the essence of their existence regardless of the implications, insinuations, accusations, ovations, or celebrations that may result. There are some amazing people in this world. Some have beauty, others brains; some are bestowed with trust fund endowments, others with endowments of considerable weight and girth. Some receive recognition they may or may not deserve, others make due with the satisfaction of refusing to be vanquished by obstacles to living their dreams and realising their destinies. Artist John Douglas falls into this last category. Like so many gifted Australians, his talent is more celebrated overseas than at home. After numerous painting exhibitions around the world in such diverse locations as Bangkok, Paris, Shanghai, and Fort Lauderdale, not too mention photo montages displayed and short stories published, John goes about his work unhindered by the comparative lack of recognition in his home country. Regardless of the medium—painting, drawing, photography, the written word—John pursues his work with gusto. He somehow finds the core spirit and brings it to the surface; some of his works are deceptively simplistic in appearance yet represent a minefield of symbolism and subliminal communication. Most notorious of John’s international exhibits was in Bangkok where his Scat, Cat series of kitty-turd-as-paint fingerpaintings drew the consternation of the authorities—and rave reviews. Now, recently returned from a stint as artist in residence at a remote Aboriginal arts community in Cape York Peninsula, he is taking his art in new directions. His Earth, Water, Sky painting series was inspired by the interaction with Nature during his time in Far North Queensland. John Douglas...one to watch." SeenNotHerd.com 2006 "Interesting clip that compiles video and stills to capture a flavour of Singapore." Travelforums.in 2006 "Beautiful images of Shanghai, including both the modern and traditional faces of the city." Travelforums.in 2006 Kimberley Western Australia A Video From The Western Australia Kimberley Coast "I found this Kimberley Western Australia video through a search and immediately fell in love with it. Rather than the usual stock shots of the attractions that you've already seen a hundred times in pictures, and the usual promotional stuff and jabbering, this video really captures the feel of the place. Watching it makes me feel like I'm out there, away from the tourists, away from everything... You have to get away from the beaten track (yes, even in the Kimberley and north Western Australia some of the tracks are starting to look very beaten...), you have to go somewhere that not very many people go, to be able to feel the place the way the video makes you feel. I haven't seen all the places shown here myself, but the locations I have seen are portrayed exactly as you would experience them if you went. The images are very real, like I said, as if you were there. There is no commentary, no explanations, just the images of the ancient cliffs, the colours (the colours!), the beautiful, very well selected music, the sounds of the ocean and some absolutely stunning ancient Aboriginal art and a burial site. It's worth the wait for the video to load just to get a glimpse of the art. Having said that, this Kimberley video is ten minutes long. If you are on dial up it would take you a whole night to download... Might be worth a try, though... Everybody else, enjoy it right now: Kimberley Western Australia - A Video From The Coast List of places shown in the video in order of appearance: Broome (the opening image is the Sun Pictures, the world's oldest operating picture gardens), Raft Point, Montgomery Reef, Talbot Bay, Kuri Bay, Bigge Island, Jar Island, Hunter River, King George River. In between you see the opening of a Pinctada maxima shell to get to its pearl, and images from the pearl showrooms in Broome. The video wraps up with, what else, a camel sunset ride on Broome beach. Thank you to John Douglas from tartan suitcase productions for putting this great video together. His website says John is presently working on a film about the Kimberly, Western Australia. Hope it means a full feature length film is coming and he wasn't talking about this clip. I'd love to see a whole film on the Kimberley done by him..." Kimberleyaustralia.com 2007 "Of course, if you are a true computer addict and spend your life smoking and sipping coffee for hours on end, mesmerised by the screen in front of you, perhaps you really ARE literally a cybertourist and prefer to visit places in virtual reality than earthly reality. In that case, paying a visit to such websites as SeenNotHerd.com will tell you about the places you are not visiting IRL, as will the video site of artist and filmmaker John Douglas, who captures the essence of world destinations as only an artist can." Ethihadinflight Magazine, United Arab Emirates, June 2007 "And we were very impressed with John Douglas’s portrayal of the prime minister in his rodent-like state, waving the flag and very intricately drawn sort of feast table with none of his friends there. “Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me…” The judges were impressed with the execution of this and an easily recognisable John Howard in his rodent form. Well done to all our finalists." Sydney Morning Herald Online 26th July 2007 Butchart interview: "John Douglas is another artist whose body of work gives me great inspiration. His paintings are soulful, joyous, whimsical, full of life and love. His photographic images are brilliant. As he travels the world he brings his friends along with his incredible talents with a camera. He embraced me when i first came to RB, and has been a true friend and offered nothing but encouragement ever since." redbubble.com 28th June 2008 Paul Compton Interview: "Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful The most special thing about my time on RedBubble was meeting and experiencing the works of the following people: invisible Butchart, John Douglas and pinkyjain among many others. Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you. 1. Dead Friends1 by John Douglas This work is incredibly sad and poignant and demonstrates John Douglas’ superb heartfelt and captivating style. The story attached to this image outlined in the description broke my heart. It is a work that I consider unforgettable." redbubble.com 4th July 2008 "Next up in the series of artist interviews that started here is the marvelous John Douglas. My first encounter with the work of John Douglas left me reeling and I have been ever since. He can turn his hand to any medium and format and create something thought-provoking, emotive, edgy, soulful and uniquely his own. His knowledge of artists and art movements is vast and his support to other artists is commendable. I would personally like to thank him for his input on Redbubble and for his beautiful art and nature. So without further ado here is my interview with John Douglas.......... How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life? Apart from reading (I am an avid reader) my existence centres on creativity, and all else is secondary. My ‘day job’ is as a travel photographer. My great love is painting. I also dabble in ceramics, film, composing music, drawing, printmaking, writing. I have so many ideas rushing in, clamouring for attention, it is hard to keep up. But I try; I am always writing notes so I can come back to an idea later. I generally work until I am exhausted. Late at night when I am about to go to sleep an idea will come and I think, “NOOOOOOOOOOO! Let me rest!”, or the inspirations come knocking in dreams and won’t leave me alone until I get up and do something. But if it came to it, I would rather have this way of life than not. I’ve given a long-winded reply, but basically I have no other life than pursuing creativity; this is the way it has been since I was a young child. I have no concept of what it must be like to have a life that has other aspects to it. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful. Victor Barker. I am very happy to know he is on redbubble. I have been friends with Victor Barker since my late teens. Together we have seen each other through many ups downs and arounds in life, and I love and admire Victor’s drive to create and explore. Currently Victor primarily focuses on writing, though his creative interests have a broad range, from film to painting to music to photography and on... I admire that he is never afraid to leap in wherever his muse calls him. Victor to me embodies the idea of “your life is your art”. Conversation with Victor is a delight, for his artistic sensibilities, his humour, his intelligence, knowledge, his anecdotes. From meditative practices in remote mountain ashrams to tales of drinking binges with Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud; from discussions on novels with Paul Bowles to working with the early pioneering use of LSD as a psychoanalytic tool; to talking music with Billie Holliday to outrunning Fijian coups; life on the sea, life as a yogi devotee - conversation with Victor never fails to inspire me to reach ever higher. When I think of significant writers of the last fifty years, writers who have also explored other creative avenues and who have led BIG lives - Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Gore Vidal – I cannot think of these writers without thinking of Victor Barker. Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you. Industrial 1 by Susan Grissom Susan’s background in restoration of ninth-century architecture in Italy, her vast knowledge of modern art, her love of jazz and blues inform this work with a combination of deft, painterly texturing, savvy cool and hints of underlying passion. I admire this painting’s successful combination of emotion, technique and knowledge. That it references art history while making it’s own statement. How effortlessly Susan manages to make the work monumental yet intimate. Industrial I dances on the tightrope and makes my heart sing. Home Page by Helen Bascom This work by Helen Bascom is one of the more important works on redbubble. With a few quick lines, Helen manages to convey rage, love, social commentary and humour. The themes explored by this work range from redbubble content, the status of women, standards in society, Helen’s soul. Home Page covers many big themes with great heart and a simplicity of line and technique, and a damn cheeky wit. Cityscape by Shayne Chester Shayne always inspires with his drive to create and his determination not to give ground to the intellectual gymnastics and posturing of so much celebrated contemporary painting. I love Cityscape for the elegant brushwork and superb composition. I love the diversity of Shayne’s abilities, from his adroit photography to his strong and challenging sociopolitical poster work, to his sensitive paintings. Cityscape uses a bold landscape format to create a consummate portrait of introspection. I love that Cityscape uses an outer image to reveal an inner world; it is for me a compelling argument why well-crafted traditional painting will always have relevance, no matter how post-post-post modern Mary Boone et al. say we should become. Galway on a Good Day! by Joni Philbin I am a great lover of the naïve technique and composition in Joni’s paintings. There is a freshness to Galway on a Good Day! that delights me. I like how Joni’s work, no matter the apparent subject, seems to be primarily about exploring an inner world with honesty and an open heart. Joni’s painting is fluid yet charmingly childlike, and develops further with every new work she presents. Joni reminds me that making art is primarily about the process and evolving the soul, not about making a so-called finished picture. Apartment One by Martin Venit I admire Martin as he is a musician who has explored further and successfully with his photography. I like Martin’s no-nonsense technique in his photos, the hint of urban musicality, the eye for rhythm and the gaps between. The Apartment One series of photographs by Martin document the apartment of his brother David. David died from complications arising from AIDS. Martin’s photographs are simple, stark. The “flat” documentary style and minimal post processing allow the subject to breathe. I enjoy a good Photoshopped image, but there are also times when filters and fiddling get in the way and can smother an image. Martin’s Apartment One (and series) shows how effective having a good eye and just letting the camera record can be. Late at night, just before I go to sleep, the image of 1A on David’s door sometimes appears under my eyelids. What is the primary reason you make and enjoy experiencing art? I make art because I have to. I don’t always enjoy it. Name some artists that have shaped the way you see the world. Yoko Ono, Paul Klee, Kate Bush, John Fowles, Louise Bourgeois, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Marc Chagall, Diane Arbus, Oscar Wilde, Camille Claudel, Pablo Picasso, E.J. Bellocq, George Braque, Joel-Peter Witkin, John Lennon, Gore Vidal, Joseph Beuys. Thank you endlessly John x" Interviewed by Paul Compton, redbubble.com 6th July 2008 "Man Art is an international site for men who create artwork with a gay male, or male same sex attraction theme or purpose. Work on site reflects, represents and interprets gay male same sex identity, culture, behaviour, ideology, thought, sexual orientation etc… Man Art was created by Australian gay artist and photographer John Douglas. (Semi-regular contributing photographer for Robert La Bua’s Travel Reports on Newsmix.) …If you're interested of fine gay art this domain has a Photo-section that we can recommend. By signing up you will get e-mail, forum, discussions, photo archive and more functions. Perhaps most of all, you're connected to other gay guys so you can chat and change photos with. (The signing up process was easy). " Newsmix, Sweden 13th August 2008 Portal Douglas Gay artist John Douglas has started a new website that aims to foster unbridled creativity – along with a bit of fun and sex, writes Barry Lowe. "One of the unsung heroes of the Australian gay scene is artist/composer/filmmaker and general shit stirrer, John Douglas. And if you want to see examples of John’s fabulous creativity then it’s currently adorning the walls of Ken’s at Kensington (83 Kensington Parade, Kensington) for the next month or so. But it’s not his more outrageous stuff like his Scat, Cat! series in which he finger painted cats using their excrement, or his piss series. “It’s non-sexual themed works,” he tells me. “I like the idea of the art juxtaposing with the sexual energy.” But if it’s something John’s art is famous for it is sexual themes and sexual energy. And to that end he has set up a great new website (it’s free to join) called Man Art to provide an online community for gay men (painters, musos, writers, filmmakers, poets, or their admirers) to create a positive virtual environment to exchange ideas, friendship, explore creatively or to showcase work for sale. “As a private site, Man Art allows for posting of G-rated art and writing through to heavier, more explicit artwork. Posts can be as ‘out there’ or as ‘in there’ as members wish.” And some members have ‘wished’ with generous lashings of nudity and perversity. John is an art college drop out. “I was thrown out of art college for being a ‘disruptive and disturbing influence,’ which basically meant I dared to question some of my teachers. And, to be fair, I was a disruptive and disturbing influence,” he admits. Since then he has worked steadily as a painter, including several Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras solo shows, as well as prestigious international exhibitions. “In the last four years my day job has been primarily as a travel photographer, and I work for publications around the world. I continue to paint, in the last few years expanding my creative energies into making short films and composing music.” This year John entered the notorious Archibald Prize with a portrait of Cindy Pastel pre-retirement with her alter ego, Ritchie Finger. Rumours abound that the Man Art website is a hotbed of depravity including art works of sexual perversity, demonism and nudity. John laughs, “Yes. And not just on my profile page.” And the rumblings that Man Art is just a sleazy pick up website for artists? “Are you suggesting this is a bad thing?” Sleazy or otherwise John set up the site as “an online community where freedom of expression for gay men is free in every sense, and where support and encouragement to explore creatively is available for those seeking to develop their art.” But, controversial to the last, Man Art has a Men-only policy. “Yes. I very much believe in exclusivity, there is a different energy created in an all male environment compared to a mixed. So this site is about creating a special bubble, a space for men who are creative and homo-inclined to e-mingle with other men.” Man Art is open to all creatively inclined gay men anywhere in the world, be it as a doer or a viewer.” " SX News 27th August 2008 A Man For All Seasons Sydney-based Australian multimedia artist John Douglas is back on the scene with his 2009 Man Art calendar comprising a selection of male paintings. Many of the 13 paintings chosen for the calendar are self-portraits and it marks the first time a calendar of Douglas’s gay male paintings has been available for purchase. Sydney Star Observer 25th September 2008 John Douglas is an Australian multimedia artist whose exhibitions have received acclaim and caused controversy both in his home country and internationally. His 2009 calendar ‘Man Art’ comprises a selection of his male paintings. The cover image and the July image have previously been displayed in the window of The Bookshop, Darlinghurst. The October painting belongs to a series which was exhibited in John’s solo show “I Am Your Secret Judge” for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; one of five solo exhibitions Douglas has produced for the Mardi Gras cultural festival. Many of the thirteen paintings chosen for the calendar are self-portraits, in a range of styles over a period spanning several years. This is the first time a calendar of John Douglas’s gay male paintings is available for purchase, and as such are a diverse selection of male-themed paintings from a diverse, eclectic artist. …John has recently created a men only international online arts community (also) called Man Art, which is free to join… Talkabout October/November 2008 Art conquers the web? Or is it the web that conquers the artists? More and more sites exist for the on-line sale of art and artistic products. Australia is one of the most innovative ideas in the field: RedBubble. With a nomination for the Webby Awards Community On-line and the Best in Class Award for Art and Culture assigned by the Interactive Media Awards this year, the site created by Paul Vanzella and Peter Styles has many interesting aspects. As Manuela Cadario already pointed out in an article published in April, galleries and artists are not insensitive to the charm of the Web and the opportunity to be known that this powerful tool provides. I must preface that RedBubble allows artists to sell their works on a "print-on-order" basis in different sizes, from postcard to poster giant. The site is particularly suitable for photographers and graphic artists, but also to allows painters to sell photographic reproductions of their paintings on the same criteria, while the graphic artists can sell their designs as prints on T-shirts and as posters. RedBubble is open to all, and now counts more than 100,000 subscribers: although the majority of participants are Australian and American, almost all nations of the world are represented. Personally, I have to say that the evidence is that there is no shortage of talent in the galleries of the site! I contacted some of the artists who are more active on RedBubble and conducted interviews focused on their experience on the web, which we present in a small series of articles in order to illustrate what this new trend means for artists and their market. So I start with John Douglas, an Australian artist, whose path and multi-creativity have attracted my attention as particularly representative of the new art-web that is emerging. John Douglas is 45 years old and began to paint when he was only 8 years of age, out of a spirit of emulation: having read an article about a child prodigy in his own age who painted, he said, "I can do that!" And thus discovered that not only could he do it, but was passionate about painting. LF: After this early start you've always continued to paint? JD: Growing up, I often asked myself the question: was the choice of painting a way to gain admiration of other children, the attention of adults - or was it really central to my existence? Still young, I interrupted (in periods of varying times) my artistic production to verify the solidity of its foundations. So I found out not only that my life seemed empty to me when I didn’t paint, but I even had the impression that it was no longer a life worth living. Since those early questionings I have always undertaken the artistic work with love and passion. My motto is like Da Vinci: every day a gesture, a creative moment, a stroke of the brush. LF: What is the form of artistic expression that you like? JD: Painting is my primary form of expression, painting allows me to get in touch with a deep part of my being I can’t achieve in any other way. But drawing, photographing and composing music are also an integral part of my creative process. I write the stories and I present a few performances, and occasionally I also digressions towards more "crafty" art, such as batik or pottery. LF: How do you define your painting? JD: My works are, at least to my eyes, symbols, and are often characterized by an aesthetic and compositional approach that recalls the simplicity of the drawings of children: colours rough, almost brutal, fast. I have always been fascinated by the written word in the context of paintings. From the complex web of relationships which exist between the meanings of the word in everyday life; the meaning which the word takes in contact with the image in which it is inserted, and their interaction in relation to context. Having said that, in fact I find it hard to define my artistic production. To be honest at the time of the creation, I expect a lot and I believe that by continuing to work tirelessly I arrive at a point where the creative energy flows in all its power, without the interference made by the external world; from my expectations; my personality. The work of art is, from my point of view, the happy side effect of the creative process. Process is the important thing. LF: The art market is under cover in our day of many critics, the artists find it increasingly difficult to find a good exhibition. Selling is not easy and art is influenced by the current financial crisis. What were your beginnings, and what is your relationship with the art market? JD: I never really tried to get in the market. During studies professors pushed us to participate in showings and so offered us exhibition spaces. But these days the creative efforts absorb so much time that I stopped running after the "occupation" to give all the space necessary to create. At this point it is my conviction that the future for young artists is located in the free spaces offered by the art web sites and in the large social e- networks. The galleries, art dealers, are a good if they work for you. But it is clear that it is a unique way of presenting art. The expanding possibilities of the internet provides new prospects to exhibit. It is a force for all and an exciting way to adventure. I think using the web as an exhibition space is the current evolution of Street Art: free from the costs and constraints of traditional galleries / exhibitions / art fairs. I began registering on the online art networks two years ago. Having fallen to the charms of the economic theory of the Long- tail, I was convinced that if I didn’t try the online route I would have lost an important opportunity. Currently, in addition to RedBubble, I participate in twenty-seven other sites. Some sell more, some less, but in all I have met new artists and enjoy being inspired by them. LF: How does your art speak to the public? And in the public Internet is there an audience to listen? JD: In purely conceptual terms, as I said, my work strives to show how to open the way and unleash creative energy. In my belief, this energy removes barriers, opening the doors and windows of the soul.It increases our ability to understand and to love and encourages our inner growth. My hope is that my work stimulates reflection and inspiration, and is acting in the lives of others. Actually I do not know if this has really happened with anyone seeing my art, or if anything happens! From my personal experience, I notice that the art websites can be limiting in some cases, especially those whose primary purpose is sales. When generating profits becomes the centre of activity, the concepts of "art" and "image" are blurred and are often confused. On a purely creative basis, the websites called "print-on-order" make me think that sometimes they have the power to limit stimulating creative inspiration. Many works are regulated, organized and homogenized into a "low", tending to a standardization more suitable for easy digestion. My feeling is that no on-line audience can really take full advantage of the work of art presented on the web: you lack the side material, emotional and even olfactory perception of art. But overall, once we are aware of these limitations imposed by the network, the resources the art sites offer are immense! Also the internet is still in some ways a child: there is a reserve for big surprises to be growing. LF: Finally an indiscreet question: what is most important to you, sell or display in a gallery? JD: Besides the fact that I want to enjoy good health, to be able to buy good books and equipment for creative work, money is not the centre of my interest. Certainly I prefer that my work is exhibited in a good gallery and can be seen by a wider public, rather than achieving a good sale. If I could live without the need to sell, I’d makes gifts of my work. bearista.it 1st July 2009 … John Douglas' art encompasses a wide range of techniques including photography, painting, film, and mixed-media, so it's no surprise that he has such a diverse list of international exhibitions and publications to his credit. So far this year, he has already shown his work at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Washington, Arthouse Gallery in Atlanta, Laconia Gallery in Boston, Antena Gallery in Chicago, and the Tap Gallery in Sydney (to name a few). I particularly love a narrative series he's working on now that depict scenes from The Mahabharata. In general, I'm drawn to the adventurous spirit that comes through in his work -- I can almost sense the excitement that might sweep over him as he gets a new idea for a project. By contrast, sometimes I feel like there's quite a meandering path between my initial brainstorm for a piece and its end result, so I'm inspired by the freshness of John's approach. That "freshness" and "adventurous spirit" might have worked against him in his early days as an art student at Queensland College of Art though, from which he was expelled for being a "disruptive and disturbing influence" according to his website. True to his nature, John quickly follows by stating that this was when his career really took off. ;) So thanks, John, for continuing to be a much-needed disruptive influence on the art world and a big inspiration to me! Paul Richmond Blog 19th July 2009 John Douglas is an award winning multi-media artist, writer and film maker from Australia. His work is sometimes controversial and, to some, maybe even a bit shocking at times. However, what is always apparent in his work is that nothing seems to be created without thought as to it's message. His paintings and drawing done in simple folkart style are deceptive. On the surface they appear to be whimsical, pleasant scenes, often done in vibrant color. Looking a little deeper into them, you begin to see strong messages about life, humanity and the need and right to freely express one's self. John's photographs are amazing in their ability to capture a mood and tell a story through the simplest pose and facial expression of his subject. Dan Perez Photography - Facebook 7th August 2009 John Douglas: a Deliciously Disruptive and Disturbing Influence John Douglas is an Australian multimedia artist whose exhibitions have received acclaim and caused controversy both in his home country and internationally. He began painting at the age of 8, and studied at the Queensland College of Art until his expulsion in 1984 for being a “disruptive and disturbing influence”, after which his career really took off. Solo shows include the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1994, 1995, 1997, 2003 & 2005; an exhibit for the Sydney 2002 Gay Games Cultural Festival; and one-man exhibitions globally... Orphan Ornaments blog 10th October 2009 The ABCs of HIV Artist John Douglas’ recent work, ‘The ABCs of HIV’, exploring life with HIV in the antiretroviral age is sure to provoke some strong reactions. He speaks to Talkabout about his motivation and the early responses to the piece. Talkabout: Can you start by telling me a little bit about the inspiration/motivation for this work? Did you intentionally set out to create this piece as a statement on HIV today or was it purely an expression of recent personal experiences, or perhaps a bit of both? John: I suspect there’s a bit of personal therapy in this – as there is most of my art – but my main purpose was to create a piece that makes a universal statement about HIV today. I wanted to create an artwork based on an Australian source that presented some of the negatives of being HIV-positive today in the tradition of such strong and moving works as David McDiarmid’s ‘Plagueboy’ and ‘So Many Pills So Little Time Sweetie’ [1994]. I wanted to create an artwork that addressed the nature of contemporary life with HIV – that for many now, it is an ongoing, grinding chronic condition that doesn’t necessarily result in fast death – and the many more aspects of HIV faced now than were faced in the mid-1980s. Talkabout: In an era where we regularly see images celebrating the ‘positive’ aspects of living with HIV, it’s interesting that you chose to create an artwork that reminds us that there are still many challenges of living with HIV. Can you talk about this? Do you feel that HIV has been ‘glamourised’ or that we are overlooking the realities of modern living with HIV because of the comparative ‘success’ of antiretrovirals? John: I think campaigns promoting the fun of putting a condom on a banana or using simpering muscle men are ludicrous and insulting; a far more compelling advertising message might be ‘putting on a condom feels disgusting, but not as disgusting as shitting yourself to death’. I think it is great that living with HIV has become closer to being a manageable condition than it ever has; no one wants to see a return to the premature deaths of so many we loved. So, while acknowledging we’ve come a long way, I think it is also important to keep in mind that HIV is not all cheap housing and electricity subsidies. The reality is there are still struggles and efforts to be made – with health, prejudices and simple, day-to-day realities. I do think that we need some positive images, too! But yes, we certainly need balance – so much advertising by groups in the AIDS industry veers too far towards glamour and fairytales. Talkabout: What is the primary medium and size of the artwork? Is there any significance in the individual panels and materials that you used? John: The artwork is comprised of acrylic paint on 26 individual cardboard panels. In the pictured format, the work measures approximately 4 metres x 3 metres. In this format with the panels touching, it is a larger than normal work for me; the panels can be moved, and the size and positions altered. This is significant as the nature of living with HIV looms large in a life in constant flux. I used acrylic paints as they dry to a flat plastic finish which is appropriate for the theme of the work. Talkabout: You also used this artwork to create a multimedia piece that you posted on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch? v=bWV26ue4-OI). In this video slideshow, the individual panels appear long enough to confront the viewer with some of the realities of living with HIV today. The imperfections in the panels and the handwritten letters give the sense that this is a very personal piece, while the ambient soundtrack makes it quite haunting. Can you tell me a bit about your creative process and how the multimedia aspect evolved? John: Like many of my artworks, the slideshow changed and evolved as I created it. I originally wanted to do a slow, epic work that would loop and thus be suitable for a gallery as a video installation. As I put it together, though, I decided that a slideshow would have more impact with a short time on each letter – so that each came as a figurative slap and the viewer would be left somewhat stunned as the whole piece is over in one and a half minutes, and that rather than being displayed in gallery, popular art sites and video sites like YouTube and Facebook would be far more effective venues. To create the slideshow movie, I used windows Movie Maker program – simple to use and perfect for a basic slideshow. The audio I created. Originally I had composed and recorded a fairly solid music track with some glaring sounds to startle, mixed with audio samples of everyday life. However, when I added this audio, I realised that an ambient audio track would better suit the theme of life with a chronic condition and that the startle effect would be best coming simply from the images and their timing. Talkabout: Can you share your thoughts on the current state of HIV-related art or art/social activism in Australia? Is there still a need for the voices of HIV-positive artists? John: In Australia, I think we’re in a bit of slump. Those who care are worn down by years of effort and from attending to health and personal needs. With every reduction in services and support for people with HIV, there is a pervasive sense of cynicism and ‘why bother’. I think the need for art and social activism in this country is as strong now, perhaps stronger than it was in the goriest days of HIV/AIDS. I took part in an exhibition in January in New York with Yoko Ono and John Waters (among others) to raise money for HIV services and support there, and the level of interest gives me hope that apathy doesn’t reign supreme; that we can respark the fire of enthusiasm for social engagement and art and activism here in Australia. Talkabout: You mentioned that you posted the artwork on some art sites and have had some interesting comments. Can you tell me about the response to the piece to date? John: I have begun correspondence with a commercial artist friend of (film director) Derek Jarman over this very artwork and he has told me harrowing tales of prejudices he has faced in the UK both socially and professionally. Also, a daughter of a prominent HIV researcher in the USA has been telling me about her experiences, and many other people (both HIV positive or who have otherwise been affected by HIV) who I can’t really give too much away publicly or risk their privacy. It has been – is – very humbling to realise you’ve created an artwork that reaches people and gives voice to their experiences. Talkabout June/July issue 2010 John Douglas: Australian Troublemaker Honoured online. Australian artist John Douglas has been declared winner of Outrate's worldwide Online Short-Film Festival for his discomfiting work entitled Ward 9 - and this is his story... Screen Hub – film industry news Australia/New Zealand September 2010 Rulebreaker: John Douglas Never one to follow the rules, controversial gay artist John Douglas encourages others to make their own. He’s exhibited alongside Yoko Ono and is committed to make works with an important message – no matter who it pisses off. Robert La Bua spoke with the multi-talented creator. Controversial gay Australian artist John Douglas has been declared winner of Outrate's worldwide Online Short-Film Festival for his discomfiting work entitled Ward 9. Deemed "terrifying" by one judge, "visually stunning and hypnotic" by another, Ward 9 is the latest film from the increasingly prolific Douglas, whose works are regularly featured in Australian and international alternative film festivals; his film Forest Diaries is currently being shown as part of the Adelaide Outsiders Festival, which runs until 26 September. By now, Douglas should be used to such accolades. As an up and coming artist on the Sydney scene, his paintings and photography were the talk of the town—twenty years ago. Eventually, the young blond young man with a shy smile morphed into yesterday's news; gallerists and media found others to promote. Like Tom Jones, Tina Turner, and Cher, though, those who fall out of favour can climb back to the top a generation later. Now, as a filmmaker, Douglas has found a medium well suited to his multiple talents. Annoyingly gifted in a variety of fields, he composes the music to his films' soundtracks in addition to capturing the footage and doing all the post-production work himself; such is the life of an artist determined to see his vision remain unblurred by outside forces. His films are staples of the Sydney Squatfest and are regularly shortlisted at gay film festivals around the world. His YouTube channel reveals a bounty of bizarre films in addition to professional work producing numerous short travel films made on location across the world. Despite an obvious talent for the moving image, Douglas has not forsaken his love of painting, a medium through which he is equally able to deliver an important message. The film festival prize follows the success of Douglas' Imagine poster breaking sales records in the US for art-image company Poster Service. The poster image was created as part of Peace Project, an exhibit at Los Angeles gallery The Whole 9 to bring attention to World Peace Day, 21 September, the day the exhibit will be unveiled. One of the few works selected for exhibition among 700 submissions from 30 countries, John Douglas' Imagine, winner of the exhibit's Inspiration Award, depicts a section of the famous John Lennon Wall in Prague, has inspired a delegation of Los Angeles-area Art Ambassadors to travel to the strife-torn West African country of Sierra Leone to build a peace wall as a symbol of solidarity with the local populace. Talk about a work of art inspiring others—not to mention the panel of esteemed judges, which included prominent entities from New York's Guggenheim Museum, the Museum Of Modern Art, and NOOR photo agency. As with so many other talented Australians, John's work has long been more appreciated overseas than at home. Having exhibited alongside Yoko Ono for several years in the New York art fundraiser Visual AIDS: Postcards From The Edge, John is particularly pleased to see an image associated with John Lennon so well received. So—who is this guy? A disarming friendliness belies his Queensland origins, though an overlay of Sydney wariness sometimes camouflages the deeper John Douglas persona. As one would expect of a man who adorns his muse in raw meat and its savoury juices and makes it the centrepiece of a film, John Douglas is not a middle of the road kind of person. He has spent years following his calling without waver. Like many artists, he "must create every day" or else he falls into a depression as a prisoner of other demands on his time. His biography reads like the outline of a book to be written at a future date when more experiences have been accumulated, though the ones already behind him are not insignificant. How many people can say their exhibitions of cat poo paintings were opened by an ambassador not afraid to face the firestorm of criticism that inevitably ensued? That was several years ago in Bangkok; a more recent traffic stopper was his HIV ABC in the front window of Sydney's TaP Gallery, which stripped back the veneer of glamour that seems to have been applied to HIV by Gay Inc, which does not want to see its target market sitting home in peace when it can be out drinking instead. Despite the anger and irritation with certain aspects of gay society and society at large, there is a giving and a loving facet to his work, which serves to get people thinking. Thinking and wondering what the hell he is trying to say. If there is one aspect of contemporary society that irks this artist to no end, it is the surrender of one's self—to magazine ads telling us we need to be prettier, to government officials not held accountable, to a willing forfeit of our individuality to the sheep mentality currently reigning in the world's largest wool-exporting nation. Not one pulls the wool over this man's eyes; it only serves to exacerbate the fact that the majority nowadays seem to prefer drink Life Lite rather than something—anything—more substantial. Often dismissed as simplistic, imagery in some Douglas paintings are deceptive in their symbolism; what looks like a child's rendition of ring around the rosy may very well be a group of gay men praying to Jesus to tell him they forgive his followers. As so often happens, edges must be reached, envelopes pushed in one direction when forces are pulling it far toward another. A fortysomething artist with a heart of gold is not necessarily what the galleries and or media want to sell to their dilettante followers these days, yet there is a sizable number of artists who happen to have a lifetime's worth of experience behind their brushstrokes and imagery. Never one to sit back and watch things happen around him—especially things with which he disagrees—John Douglas is also making a name for himself amongst the avant garde as the founder of Man Art, a members-only website for gay male artists who simply want to create art, display it, share it, critique it, and enjoy it without the attendant bullshit that other websites impose on Life's simple pleasures. Douglas began Man Art in response to a mainstream art website's increasing restrictions on the portrayal of nudity, sexuality, homosexuality, and anything else it deemed unfit for the least common denominator amongst its viewers. A handful of gay artists fled to Douglas' Man Art to freely express themselves without hindrance. Not all the images are sexual, but all the members of Man Art are gay. Membership is free and there are no fees involved for being involved. Evidently, Douglas tapped into a need just waiting to be satisfied; Man Art's membership now numbers more than four hundred eclectic, creative types all over the world. Men who are interested in art but are jaded and overexposed to internet pages would do well to become members of Man Art (there is an equivalent website for the ladies called Woman Art run by a different person). As a non-artist, I was dazzled not only for the many beautiful works of art on display, but for the camaraderie, support, and belief in doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing; no matter what your circumstances, do not be deterred from realising your potential. It felt like a visit to the good old gay days when there were no subsubsubsets or internet profiles describing personalities in centimetres; it's just men together without judgment or comparison of hairstyles. Douglas tells me he has received countless messages from Man Art members in small towns in Canada, the US, Australia, and elsewhere who thank him profusely for providing a connection to their kindred spirits, however far in kilometres they may be one from the another. His fierce independence may be credited to his Scottish heritage and upbringing, but it offers no explanation for John's interest in fostering support for his fellow artists. He mentions the special periods in the arts when a circle of writers, of painters, of fimmakers all knew each other, whether in recognised artists' collectives or simply by virtue of living in the same place at the same time. Paris in the 1920's, Berlin in the 1930's, and London in the 1960's come to mind, but in today's era of global communications, he has created the very type of community he has often longed to see in his own time. From all indications, his time is now. John's own website, JohnDouglasArt, presents a provocative sampling of his work in painting, photography, music, and film; an eclectic assortment of his short films may be seen here, though a visit to tartansuitcase (named for his Tartan Suitcase production company) will reveal the full compendium of his works, which include the aforementioned meaty piece Thank You For Not Singing as well as such Douglas classics as Planting A Midnight Garden and My Friend's Bordello (created exactly where it says). Douglas' animated films such as A Home Exorcism add another dimension to his artistic expression. From crotch grabs to feline anuses, John's work is also on view on RedBubble, where artists' images are available for purchase in a variety of formats from cards and calendars to T-shirts and canvas prints; online visitors simply match chosen image to method of expression and it's done. Those lucky enough to be in California in the near future can see Peace Project on view 25 September-6 November at The Whole 9 Gallery, 6101 Washington Blvd, Culver City CA. From 21 September, Peace Project moves to the Meridian Gallery in San Francisco on 21 November. The Scavenger , September/October issue 2010, Newsmix Sweden, September/October issue 2010 Aussie gay filmmaker wins Outrate Controversial gay Australian artist John Douglas has been declared winner of Outrate's worldwide Online Short Film Festival for his discomforting work entitled Ward 9. Deemed "terrifying" by one judge, "visually stunning and hypnotic" by another, Ward 9 is the latest film from the increasingly prolific Douglas, whose works are regularly featured in Australian and international film festivals. This achievement follows the success of Douglas' Imagine poster breaking sales records for US-based company Poster Service. The poster image was created as part of Peace Project, an exhibit at Los Angeles gallery The Whole 9, to bring attention to World Peace Day, 21 September, the day the exhibit will be unveiled. One of the few works selected for exhibition among 700 submissions from 30 countries, John Douglas' Imagine, winner of the exhibit's Inspiration Award, depicts a section of the famous John Lennon Wall in Prague, has inspired a delegation of Los Angeles-area Art Ambassadors to travel to the strife-torn West African country of Sierra Leone to build a peace wall as a symbol of solidarity with the local populace. DNA Magazine, September/October 2010 Gay Australian Filmmaker Wins Online Film Festival Controversial Australian gay filmmaker John Douglas has won Outrate’s second annual online short-film festival for his latest film Ward 9 which is set in an HIV/oncology ward in Sydney. “Ward 9 is a discomfiting little film who’s spellbinding nonlinear imagery and discomfiting soundtrack keep us watching with reticent fascination”, Douglas said of his latest film. Ward 9 was deemed “stark, bleak, lonely and terrifying” by one of the judges at the festival and “visually stunning and hypnotic” by another. The short film portrays Douglas’ unconventional style and treatment of dark subject matter which can be seen in his previous works Thank You For Not Singing and the animated short films A Home Exorcism and A Grim Fairytale. Douglas’ works are regularly featured in Australian and international alternative film festivals, and Ward 9 follows the success of his Imagine poster which was created for Peace Project, an exhibit at a Los Angeles gallery. Douglas’ Imagine poster went on to win the exhibit’s Inspiration Award. City Voice, NSW newspaper, September 22nd to September 28th issue OUTinPerth congratulates Australian gay artist John Douglas for his recent win at the Outrate worldwide Online Short-film Festival. His award- winning work, Ward 9 was deemed terrifying by one judge and hypnotic by another. The five-minute documentary shows the eerie innerspace of an HIV/Oncology ward in Sydney...This achievement follows the success of Douglas’ Imagine poster, an image created as part of the Peace Project. The Imagine piece also won the Inspiration Award at Los Angeles gallery, The Whole 9. OUTinPerth, WA newspaper, October issue 2010 Sydney gay artist John Douglas (The Artist Formally Known As Princess) has launched his Pop Men 2011 calendar. Pop Men is a celebration of gay male sexuality that combines an old-school, pop art ethos with modern gay male sensuality and sass. Sydney Star Observer, NSW newspaper, 19th October 2010 Australian gay artist John Douglas has launched his Pop Men 2011 calendar. Pop Men is a celebration of gay male sexuality that combines an old-school, pop-art ethos with modern gay male sensuality and sass. The artworks were created by hand-drawn ink on paper with vibrant, digitally blocked colours. Each month features an individual artwork that rejoices in gay masculinity and love. Newsmix, Swedish online magazine, Sweden, October 2010 Sydney gay artist and City Voice illustrator John Douglas has launched his Pop Men 2011 calendar. Pop Men is a celebration of gay male sexuality that combines an old-school, pop-art ethos with modern gay male sensuality and sass. The artworks were created by hand-drawn ink on paper with vibrant, digitally blocked colours. The calendars cost $29.04 and may be previewed and purchased securely from: www.redbubble.com/people/johndouglas/calendars City Voice, NSW newspaper, Australia, November 3rd 2010 John Douglas – A child with all the colors of nature. (profile follows) Noisy Rain, online magazine, USA Jan/Feb 2011 Gay art web site shut down Echoing the federal Minister for Broadband Stephen Conroy’s internet censorship plans, a gay men’s art website was threatened with site closure earlier this year. Man Art is a website founded in July 2008 by art enthusiast John Douglas – also City Voice’s resident illustrator – who envisioned the site “to be ‘art for men, by men’.” “Sometimes with a gay male theme, often not, with the idea being to allow whatever art the member wished to create to be displayed and critiqued in a supportive environment of other male artists,” Douglas told City Voice. Douglas added that he created the site in the hope of having a private site about gay men being able to create freely without censorship or commercial pressure. The website platform employed by Douglas, Ning, which is US-based, has recently amended its terms of service, specifically section 14, to include any “content that Ning constitutes as pornography, contains nudity, or is adult in nature." The Ning administrators proceeded to add that this was not an issue of censorship but “a matter of content that is prohibited on the Ning Platform.”... ...Ning proceeded to remove the site yesterday. Douglas’s reaction towards the sites closure was one of muted defiance. “It is sad to have creative expression curtailed almost everywhere and see a generation grow with their heads bowed and not even realise it,” he said. The hosting site has since refunded Douglas’s fees and he is currently in negotiations with other internet service providers in an effort to reopen the site to be “bigger and shinier than ever, at a lower annual cost, with more bandwidth and with an ISP who likes what we do.” “Man Art 2 is on its way,” Douglas said. City Voice, NSW newspaper, Australia 9th Feb 2011 As part of this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, one hundred artists were called together to submit their artwork to be a part of an exciting new art project for Sydney. The purpose of Fragility is to communicate homophobia and violence through art – some pieces are quite beautiful, some challenging and some quite graphic, but all highlight the difficulties experienced by the GLBTIQ community.The multimedia exhibition featuring numerous stunning and visually stimulating artworks. Fragility includes a beautifully composed…crayon drawing of a couple kissing called ‘He Said 'Kiss Me Where It Stinks'’ by John Douglas. samesame, online magazine, Australia 20th May 2011 The wig is for Brief Encounters at which he is performing a Karen Finley number. In a spooky moment of synchronicity, Sydney based queer artist John Douglas had only just posted a copy of Karen Finley’s Shock Treatment to Stryker, knowing nothing of the spot number (incidentally, Stryker is also writing the soundtrack to Douglas’ upcoming exhibition SexClub). Excerpt from an article about Strykermeyer. OUTinPerth, WA Newspaper, Australia, June 2011 Pop, Pop, Pop Following the success of last year’s Pop Men calendar, Sydney gay artist and SX illustrator John Douglas has released his 2012 offering – More Pop Men. More Pop Men is a celebration of modern gay male sexuality in a Neo pop-art style. Each month showcases a different John Douglas masterpiece, all of which celebrate gay male love, lust, masculinity and beauty. Vivid colours were digitally added John Douglas’s original hand-drawn ink on paper illustrations of men, creating striking and captivating ‘Pop Men’… SX News, NSW newspaper, Australia, 31st October, 2011 “…There is enough happening in Goulburn to keep busy—at a relaxed pace, of course—for a weekend away; some of the activities are surprisingly avant-garde. Even the Sydney Mardi Gras has come to Goulburn. The city's South Hill Gallery is hosting Wilde In The Country, an art exhibit part of the Sydney Mardi Gras Art Festival that features a diversity of Australian artists, including celebrated photographer William Yang and controversial painter and filmmaker John Douglas. This is the first time Mardi Gras has ventured beyond Sydney to include a regional location in its arts festival, and South Hill Gallery owners, former Sydneysiders Linda and Roland Gumbert, have provided a superb space for curators Cherry Hood and Steve McLaren to set up this provocative and unprecedented exhibit in their huge mansion cum arts centre complete with beautiful views of the Southern Highlands in all directions…” “You Go, Goulburn!” article, etravel blackboard, online travel resource, 13th February, 2012 |