The Phantom Art Show is a big deal – it’s inspired by the first comic book super hero but it’s not just a memorabilia show.
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Most of the artists who have contributed are both Phantom tragics and highly regarded talents. The exhibition includes paintings from some of Australia’s leading artists including Reg Mombassa, Euan Macleod, Dick Frizzell, Charles Blackman, Martin Sharp, Peter Kingston, Dietmar Lederwasch and Michael Leunig to name a few.
The exhibition is touring some of Australia’s leading regional art galleries including Newcastle, Toowoomba, Tweed and Broken Hill before going to America next year. However no gallery anywhere has done anything like the Bunker Cartoon Gallery in preparing for the show and that’s why there is so much excitement amongst some of the leading artists and the Bunker crew.
The Bunker will be transformed into the Phantom’s jungle cave (That’s where he lives when he’s not being heroic). It’s being redecorated inside and out and won’t look like any art gallery you’ve ever seen. The exterior entrance will show a 5m x 5m cave painting done, not by local sign writers, but by 2-3 leading artists who have paintings in the exhibition and charge thousands of dollars for their work.
There will also be some appearances by “The Phantom” who will do a little crime fighting during his stay in town and provide some interesting media opportunities.
The show opens on March 10 and local residents will have the opportunity to meet some leading artists like Euan MacLeod, Peter Kingston, Dick Frizzle and Dietmar Lederwasch as well as rubbing shoulders with Dare Jennings , the founder and CEO of Mambo, who will perform the official opening.
Events
LOCAL ART COMPETITION
A competition amongst North Coast artists to give their interpretations of the Phantom in Australia is currently running. Prizemoney of $1500 has been provided by Saso Creative. Paintings entered in the competition will be on display in Harbour Drive shops and later in Coffs Central shopping centre. The winners will be announced at the exhibition opening on March 10.
PHANTOM CAVE PAINTING
A 5m X 5m cave entrance will be painted on a large frame attached to the front of the bunker entrance. As mentioned above, the cave will be painted by Peter Kingston, Dietmar Lederwasch and Euan MacLeod on March 8-9. We can provide more accurate times closer to the day.
EXHIBITION OPENING
6.30PM on Friday March 10. The opening party is expected to attract lots of locals. There will be brief speeches by the Mayor (or Deputy), Dare Jennings, Dick Frizzle and the Phantom. We will have a still photographer and video cameraman on hand and can provide stills and video to media organisations on the following Monday morning. (or Saturday if required)
PHANTOM HEROICS
The Phantom will save the Mayor (or Deputy) from a terrible fate on Tuesday morning, March 28. This stunt is being set up for the media and it’s been a long time since a real superhero has been seen in action on the streets of Coffs Harbour, or any other Australian city. This story should get a run on both the local and national news. We can provide a video and script for this story if necessary.
RANDOM ACTS
The Phantom is expected to make an appearance from time to time, wandering the streets of Coffs Harbour, seeking good deeds to do. It may be possible to alert the media of these appearances when we have inside information on his ventures outside the cave.
The art exhibition runs from March 10 to May 14 at the Bunker Cartoon Gallery.
For further information, please contact Paul McKeon on 6652 7581.
E: admin@bunkercartoongallery.com.au