By Sharon Boase
The Hamilton Spectator
(Aug 25, 2006)
In the dog days of summer, you'd expect to find Rob Pink, a.k.a. "Rabid," decked out in shorts and a T-shirt, maybe a ripped lumberjack shirt over top to complete the look.
But yesterday, the 24-year-old street artist was sporting a midnight blue suit with a multi-hued blue tie and matching pocket puff, freshly shined shoes completing the look.
After all, it's not every day your artwork gets a public showing.
"I'm a little nervous, I don't usually show my stuff to people," said Pink, whose graffiti-style spray-paint work you won't find splashed across public buildings, mailboxes or trains.
"I like it as a form of art, I don't like destroying property," explained Pink.
Yesterday's show was the fourth annual Arts of August Grand Finale Showcase organized by Living Rock Ministries, an inter-denominational, nonprofit outreach for downtown street youth.
It was funded by the City of Hamilton and Scotiabank and included work by Living Rock clients, immigrant youth and young Hamilton residents. Community partners included the Aboriginal Health Centre, Hamilton Public Library, Immigrant Cultural and Art Association, Project Hope and RE-Create Open Art Studio.
Sponsors included two dozen community agencies, businesses and individuals.
A series of nine photographs called Out the Back document Adam Burgess's neighbourhood. The 22-year-old TRI-Rock participant says disposable cameras have been his medium of choice for seven years now.
"I've been on the street, off and on, for 13 years and it's easier to work with a disposable camera. You can just throw it in your backpack and you don't have to worry about dropping it or if it gets wet. I don't have to worry about memory cards or batteries. And it's cheap."
Brian Earl fashioned Rock Heroes, a sculpture made using clay and salvaged toys. "Normal heroes for most people are firefighters or cops."
The artwork on display last night at the central branch of Hamilton Public Library will be displayed again at Living Rock's anniversary dinner Nov. 22 and at Soup Fest next Jan. 30.
Sharon Boase
sboase@thespec.com
905-526-2452
CLICK HERE to read next article
