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Creatures of the Night 1 – Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School





As we hurtle towards the solstice it’s time for Hobbits and Hobartians to venture out of their holes, cold. dark and scary though it may be. Dark Mofo is on.

Haven’t seen much of it so far, though thanks to my daughter we did go out to Doctor Sketchy’s Anti -Art School on Wednesday night and last night our lovely neighbours lured us out into "A Forest” another Dark Mofo event. 

So what's a Dr. Sketchy Anti Art School?
 
I’ll begin with Dr. Sketchy’s. There are now hundreds of these around the world from Ireland to Antarctica. They were begun by illustrator and former artist’s model Molly Crabapple and illustrator A.V. in the Lucky Cat café in Brooklyn in 2005. Tired of the usual still life exercises involving boring bowls of fruit and static models, they injected some life into the proceedings by adding flamboyant characters such as burlesque dancers and freak show performers, not to mention ample glasses of wine and a few art based games.

 
Tonight's Star - Samora Squid

At our session we had gorgeous 'bendy' man Samora Squid who stands about 6’ 4” and can contort himself in the most amazing ways including slipping his entire body through a tennis racquet frame.  Unfortunately, I think I was too fascinated with what he was doing to put much on paper, especially as we only had a few moments to sketch each pose with a feisty corset -clad Dimity Magnus cracking the whip and all the while having to maintain animated conversations, eating and drinking etc. Despite this, some people managed to produce some excellent work and were duly rewarded, though even lesser talent got a Fantale or two.

Getting Ready - we only had a couple of minutes for each sketch. You have to go to his website or one of the shows to see what this man is capable of
Industrial Chic - Westend Pumphouse


Also surprising was how lively the West End - at western end of Murray Street, was at that time of night. During the day it pretends to be a quiet business district with a late night chemist as its highlight. Now it was all lit up. Maybe it says something about how often I'm allowed out after dark, but  The Westend Pump House - the converted warehouse bar and eatery where Dr. Sketchy's was held, has apparently been open for at least three years. Across the road wine merchant Hop,Vine and Still which was hosting a lively wine tasting has been open for eighteen months and Urban Greek, right next door (it must be OK because it was packed out), has also been open for at least three years.


Friendly face at Urban Greek

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