“Denimism”
Tony Garifalakis and Tully Moore
27 July → 18 Aug 2012

Denimism is a collaborative project by Tony Garifalakis and Tully Moore that investigates the cultural symbologies of denim. The series consists of a number of denim ’banners‘ with painted and mixed media elements that examine iconic symbols that have cultural links to denim. The work references and subverts the semantics of motifs associated to trade union badges, trucking patches, rock band and gang paraphernalia and links it to denim’s historical association to the working class, urban style and outlaw cultures.

Tony Garifalakis was born in Melbourne, where he currently lives and works. Recent individual exhibitions include Mutually Assured Destruction, Ryan Renshaw Gallery, Brisbane, 2011; The Misery of Philosophy, Curro Y Poncho, Guadalajara, Mexico, 2011; and The Philosophy of Misery, Yautepec, Mexico City, Mexico, 2011. Garifalakis also recently curated Endism at 24HR Art – Northern Territory Centre for Contemporary Art, Darwin, 2011. Recent group shows include A Postcard From Afar: North Korea From A Distance, Apexart, New York, 2012;Trust Me, Galerie Desaga, Cologne, Germany, 2011; The Devil Had A Daughter, Monash University Museum of Art, Melbourne, 2011; and Bela Lugosi’s dead, DEATH BE KIND, Melbourne, 2010. In 2008 Garifalakis undertook an Australia Council studio residency at ISCP, New York, USA. Garifalakis’ work is held in numerous public and private collections in Australia, Europe, UK and USA.

Tully Moore is a Melbourne-based artist whose work depicts the crumbling urban world that includes architecture, graffiti and old signage with precise painting skill. In 2008 Moore completed his Honours in Fine Art at the VCA. His work has been shortlisted for art prizes such as the Keith and Elizabeth Murdoch Scholarship and the Metro 5 Award in 2009 as well as the Fishers Ghost Prize, 2010. He has exhibited at ARIs Hell Gallery, FirstDraft and TCB. Moore was also the recipient of the John Vickery Scholarship and the Roger Kemp Memorial Prize in 2007 whilst studying at VCA and in 2011 was a recipient of the Australia Council Residency (Liverpool, UK). His work is in various private collections in Australia and the UK as well as the Artbank Collection. Tully Moore is represented by John Buckley Gallery, Melbourne.