Matt Bax: Cockrocker

Overview

Grau Projekt — Clifton Hills' new art gallery and warehouse bar — opens on Thursday, November 22, with a show by its founder and renowned venue maker Matt Bax (Bar Americano and now-closed Der Raum and Bar Economico). Titled Cockrocker, the show will take over the brand new space until January 27, 2019, kicking off with a big launch party on the opening night from 7–11pm.

The name of the exhibition stems from 1980s glam rock, with the instalment exploring themes of identity, masculinity and ambition in the art world. The show is three years in the making — part of which took place at Berlin's Phasmid Studios — and spans photography, digital drawing and painting. As part of Grau Projekt's commitment to new art collectors, five of Bax's works will be available at heavily reduced prices on opening night.

As Matt Bax is not only an artist, but also an accomplished bartender, you can expect big things on the drinks side of the night, too. The inaugural Cockrocker 'artist-curated drinks menu' — which will change regularly — will consist of five elaborate cocktails dedicated to an array of artists, musicians and writers who portray 'the dilemma of romantic machoism in arts'.

They include the +/- Pinas, made with lavender pineapple rum, hot coconut, white chocolate and citrus, and the Krug or Krap — an interactive concoction of vanilla, rhubarb and elderflower that takes a roll of the dice to decide what fizz your drink is finished off with. Those who roll snake eyes will get Krug Champagne in their cocktail.

You can nab tickets to the launch event here — $35 tickets include entry and one cocktail, while the $65 VIP tickets include an advanced preview, two cocktails and and an artist-made, limited edition cocktail glass.

Grau Projekt is open from 3pm–10pm,Wednesday to Friday and 12-5pm on Saturday.

Image: John Laurie.