Exhibition turns vinyls into canvases

TAKING twelve-inch singles and turning them into works of art was the thought behind Mr Dimples’ latest collaborative exhibition.

Joining forces with Shepparton artist Sophie Wilson, also known as Sophletta, Mr Dimples has launched Vinyl Art Collective, which showcases 162 pieces from 130 artists across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Mr Dimples, real name Nathan Sims, said the design brief was kept simple and he received work from illustrators, street artists, watercolourists, landscape artists and photographers.

“As an artist I don’t like being told what to paint so we just said ‘do your thing’,” he said.

“We’ve got sculpture pieces, lino prints and photography. Because we had it open people could do anything with it.”

Sims own pieces include paintings in his recognisable style and a sculpture made from an old vinyl, with materials sourced from the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop.

The street artist, who has paste-ups all over town, has been curating the St John of God space for about 18 months.

He said the hospital’s aim for the space is to provide respite for patients and visitors, while he enjoys providing an ongoing outlet for creatives to showcase their work.

“There’s frustrations from local artists at a grassroots level who can’t exhibit their artwork,” he said.

“The Bendigo Art Gallery doesn’t allow local artists to put stuff in there and you’re very restricted with the council spaces; you’ve got to apply and there’s only so many spots.

“My aim is to support local artists, we occasionally have a few from Melbourne and surrounding areas, but for me it’s to support the locals to have another space.”

Vinyl Art Collective Is in Bendigo until 4 September and will then move to Shepparton’s Dandy’s Skateshop from 16 September to 21 October.