Eamo Donnelly is a free flowing illustrator with a taste for Aussie nostalgia, the sun and the sound of magpies in the morning. He draws awe-inspiring, sunny illustrations for some of the world's best magazines such as D Magazine, GQ, Jmag, King magazine, Mens Health, Monument, Playboy and Radar Magazine.
As well as commercial commissions, his love affair for Australian eighties nostalgia prompted him to create personal works that reflected the beauty and uniqueness of the culture he grew up in. These works have been seen on Jeeps for Mountain Dew, wallets for Poketo in L.A, shoes for String Republic in France, t-shirts for Owl Movement, Esky's, stubby holders, clocks, bar walls and street posters and in exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney and in the U.S and the U.K.
Eamo's first solo show HEALTH FOOD OF A NATION is very aptly the first show at the brand new Lamington Drive at their new Compound Interest site.
Jeremy Wortsman from Lamington Drive is very proud of the gallery and the complex being part of the renaissance happening in Collingwood right now. "In terms of the space at the whole, Lamington Drive is the first part of the new Compound Interest that is open to the public. Its a 1000sqm double warehouse in the area of Collingwood that we are affectionately dubbing NoJo (north of Johnston), which we feel to be an emerging arts precinct. With both Cibi, Backwoods, and Rancho Deluxe all in walking distance," Jeremy explains.
He also is excited about the whole space being a community of it's own, "The space is an extension of our operation in Fitzroy, but on a much larger scale. The new compound not only hosts the Jacky Winter offices, plus Lamington Drive and its extended print shop, but there is going to be a second gallery for architectural projects, offices for designers, a motorcycle workshop, a public-access print shop, and potentially a cinema and a cafe amongst other things. Its a way that a bunch of like-minded friends and businesses working across a variety of 'Applied Arts' can come together, and how that cross-pollination can work both with the public as well as with our own private businesses."
Eamo and I shared mixed lollies and talked about this new solo show which opens this week.
Okay, so you're an award winning artist! And this is your FIRST solo show?
It could be long overdue, or very premature, so it may have to spend the next month in a humidity crib.
How much do you love Lamington Drive? Are you excited to be kicking off in their new space?
Lamington Drive gets a lot of love from me, the name is perfect. A gallery for Australian illustrators, what more can an illustrator ask for! Much better than Pavlova Pictures, that would make it for the Kiwis, like Russell Crowe and Crowded House. I am honoured to be the first artist to show in the new incredible space. It's simply - Wow. Wow. Wow! (Any body who watches channel 10 morning television will get that reference.)
What can people expect to behold when they come to your show? This isn't gonna just be a few posters, right?
Concrete stalks, clothes lines hung with limited edition fine art prints from the last three years, polaroids taken of Australian milkbars around Victoria, vintage Australia television installation, a Petersville Fridge stacked with goodies, milkbar and Australiana memorabilia, t-shirts, Esky's, tyre swans, think of it more like a museum than just a few posters on the wall.
Why is nostalgia so potent just now?
The great thing about nostalgia is you only remember the good times.
What would be your ideal soundtrack to this exhibition?
My 80s vinyl of Australian Televisions Greatest Hits - now on iTunes believe it or not!
What is your holy grail of collectibles?
A Peter's Ice Cream cone, now selling for just under a grand on eBay… sigh.
What are your favourite Aussie icecreams?
Loved a pine lime Splice, couldn't pass up a Bubble 'O' Bill, those Peter's Crazy Critters where a hit in our street and with extra nagging and over indulgence, Saturday night dessert wasn't complete without a slice of the big V, more commonly known as Vienetta.
What are you having for lunch today?
If I get asked "youz blokes want somethin' from the shop?" from the apprentice, I might pass on my '"rabbit food... again" and get something that's described like this "you bloody ripper, bloody un-rool."
What designers are really exciting you just now?
I'm still excited by Mimmo Cozzolino!
How are you planning for the summer?
Shorts, singlet, BBQ's and beaches with lots of relaxation and sunshine.
Eamo Donnelly - Solo Exhibition
"Health Food of a Nation"
Lamington Drive
15-25 Keele Street
Collingwood Vic 3066
Melbourne
Opening reception 2 September 2010, 6 - 9pm,
Exhibition runs 3 September - 2 October 2010