The Blue Oyster at SUPERMARKET Independent Art Fair, Stockholm
This weekend (15 - 17 February) along with 87 other galleries from 31 countries The Blue Oyster Art Project Space will
take part in Stockholm’s independent art fair, SUPERMARKET. The art fair takes place in the Kulturhuset in the very
heart of Sweden's capital. Where the majority of art fairs focus on selling and generating commercial outcomes,
SUPERMARKET is geared towards the visitor’s experience, as well as existing as a forum for discussion regarding current
issues in contemporary art.
Representing the Blue Oyster is Dunedin-based interdisciplinary artist, Max Bellamy, who has created new work for the
fair. 'Come Rain; Come Shine' is comprised of two HD video loops; Under My Breath and Carriage (both 2013). Earlier this
year Max travelled to Curio Bay in the Catlins to shoot the raw footage for the work. 'Come Rain; Come Shine' is a
double channel character-based piece that follows Robyn James Hode's attempts to future-proof his life from an extremely
remote location. Hode writes to dozens of multi-national corporations in the hope of finding an institution willing to
help in his task of storing and securing his precious belongings. Exploring relative isolation in a world dominated by
global actors with the power to reach anywhere in the earth, 'Come Rain; Come Shine' can also be considered a response
to the ongoing debate concerning the existence of a centre / periphery system in the art world.
While in Stockholm Blue Oyster Director, Jamie Hanton, will attend SUPERMARKET Meetings, private forums where
individuals from a range of international galleries will meet to discuss common issues. He is also presenting a talk on
the Blue Oyster, Dunedin, and the larger context of contemporary art practice in New Zealand to the Swedish
International Artist Residency organisation (IASPIS).
The Blue Oyster’s participation in SUPERMARKET could have not occurred without the direct support of Dunedin’s Jan
Warburton and IASPIS. The Blue Oyster also wishes to thank Creative New Zealand and the Dunedin City Council for their
ongoing support, as well as Mint Gallery and Bellamy’s Gallery for their support of Max.
ENDS