MSSR Projects Participants
The Moreton Street Spare Room Project [MSSR] is a Brisbane Artist Run Initiative that began as an exhibition program of contemporary Australian art in 2006. The project diverges from conventional institutional exhibition programs to re-contextualise the presentation of contemporary art within an everyday and familiar environment - specifically an old and occupied Queenslander in the suburb of New Farm, Brisbane.
With a focus on installation, video and new media-based practice, MSSR's exhibition program offers a new and non-traditional exhibition environment to address a lack of exhibition opportunities for artists in Brisbane.
In 2007 MSSR received a Career Development Arts QLD grant. The grant supported exhibitions of emerging and established Australian artists including Giles Ryder and Marian Drew. In June 2008 the project was awarded a Brisbane City Council Creative Sparks Grant to continue operation of its exhibition program to 2010.
In addition to exhibitions, MSSR aims to connect artists and audiences by providing innovative and accessible platforms for the presentation of contemporary art. To this end, the ARI has hosted screenings of Australian contemporary video art, produced a comprehensive DVD with documentation of artists from the first exhibition program and developed an online resource. Future MSSR projects include the development and distribution of a DVD magazine showcasing Queensland artists in their studios, at home, installing exhibitions and at play as well as a 108 page hard cover publication.
Bennie is a New Zealand born artist and has lived in Queensland since 1999. He has held exhibitions at the Australian Centre of Contemporary Art, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, and the 2008 Sydney Biennale online venue. Bennie developed MSSR in 2006 and has successfully directed the project by developing and managing all exhibitions, hosting openings, and garnering industry support for the past two years.
Chatham is an artist and freelance writer based in Brisbane. She has a Bachelor of Fine Art from Queensland College of Art and has exhibited extensively for the past six years. She has held solo exhibitions at in-Transit Gallery, Brisbane and interstate at Anita Traverso Gallery, Melbourne. Chatham was a participant of the New Enterprise Initiative Scheme during 2006-07, successfully establishing a sustainable arts business. She has professional experience as an editorial writer for magazines and has written art exhibition essays published by the State Library of Queensland and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art.
MSSR's Primary Objectives:
Present contemporary Australian art through innovative projects that connect artists with their audience.
Promote Brisbane and Queensland contemporary art and artists locally, nationally and internationally.
Develop a significant and permanent ARI project.
Contribute to visual culture through the presentation of artwork and/or projects that critically engage with contemporary issues.
Develop a thorough resource of contemporary Australian art encompassing print publications, DVDs and up-to-date website for educational and historical purposes.