Overview
His intricate, symmetrical streetscapes are Sydney landmarks - if you don't know his name, you almost certainly know his work. Beastman is a prolific street artist whose work has been exhibited far and wide from Australia to Berlin and London. He's also the founder and editor of the online art publication [weAREtheIMAGEmakers]. Lookout for THE HOURS, Beastman's new joint venture with Marty Routledge and Numskull, launching in September.
In this second instalment of our new Hidden Sydney series, we asked Beastman to reveal five snapshots of this city - the insider secrets hiding, until now, in plain sight.
1. Higher Ground Studio, Annandale
This is our studio and where I spend most of my time - it's probably my favourite place in Sydney. It's where I paint, draw, send emails, conduct various business activities, listen to good music, play ping pong and talk shit with my friends - every damn day! I share the space with nine other artists - Numskull, Phibs, Max Berry, Mark Alsweiler, Ears, Birdhat, Tom Ferson, Bennett and Thomas Jackson.
2. Hibernian House, Surry Hills
This amazing building holds a lot of memories for me, I used to have a studio in there years ago with Ben Frost, Numskull, Trent Whitehead, Mark Whalen and Teagues. The studio was full of good times - painting, skating, hacky sack, rooftop painting, drinking and random parties. Hibernian House also happens to be where I kissed my wife on our first night out together… how romantic.
3. Four Ate Five, Surry Hills
One of the best cafes in Sydney, hand painted and juiced up by studio buddy Mark Alsweiler.
4. Strathfield Skatepark, Belfield
Many hours of my life have been spent at this place, always a great chill place to skate with friends. The park is really simple and doesn't use up much energy to skate - pushing is not necessary. The hotspot is the top banked hip, great for big backside 180s.
5. China Heights Gallery, Surry Hills
A lot of credit is due to China Heights Gallery for supporting the Sydney art scene over the last decade, the long running gallery has held many memorable exhibitions in its varied spaces. Run by Edward Woodley and Mark Drew, China Heights has nurtured some of Sydney's most successful and talented artists including Mark Whalen, Trent Whitehead, Paul Davies, Numskull and Ryan Heywood. Their old Crown Street space was the location of my first solo exhibition back in 2008.