Holding court at Block party
EAGLE-EYED fans of TV’s The Block may have spotted an extra dose of Glitter Strip flavour this year, with Gold Coast artists splashed across the walls of all five apartments.
Coast-based business Art Lovers Australia was responsible for sourcing most of the pieces on the show this season, battling last-minute orders, courier drama and overwhelmed teams.
Currumbin photographer Kellie North was featured by Perth team El’ise and Matt in one of their winning rooms, and said it was daunting to see her work on the show.
“Mine was in the very first room reveal and they had three of my pieces … it was exciting, you’re on tenterhooks when the judges go through,” she said.
Ms North said the exposure had already translated into fresh business interest and more Instagram followers.
The high-stakes demands of reality television also pushed the artists to their limits, with Ms North thrown on to a plane to deliver a lastminute order directly to the set in time for filming.
Art Lovers Australia cofounders Nancy Donaldson and Jarrod Knight said they were big fans of the show and it was a thrill to be part of the creative process.
“Some knew their own style but for others like Tess and Luke it was out of their comfort zone,” Ms Donaldson said.
“Phone calls usually ended up being in the evening when (the teams) were off the tools so they had more time to choose works.
“El’ise we know very well. She was very hands on, she was trading art vouchers with other teams to get more, there’s over $50,000 of art in their apartment.”
Mr Knight said while sometimes undervalued, good art is often a starting point for a room: “Sometimes the space is only memorable for a big, unique artwork and often it’s the art that gives you the colour palette for a room”.
Now Block-heads have the chance to see behind-thescenes, with artwork from all Block artists forming an exhibition at the TBC Gallery in Burleigh Heads.
Fans can also buy similar works to those featured on the show.
The exhibition will be officially opened today at 4pm by former Block contestant Carlene Duffy and will be on display throughout November.
MINE WAS IN THE VERY FIRST ROOM REVEAL … IT WAS EXCITING
KELLIE NORTH