11 - 29 March 2009

Ink Me

Michael Keith Richards - The Loading Dock and Loading Zone

Exhibitions to be opened by Gillean Shaw, artist and Curator at the University Gallery, University of Newcastle, on Thursday 12 March at 6.30 pm.

Tattoos are a so called permanent medium, with origins steeped in culture, tradition, spiritual and symbolic significance. While being aware of these early beginnings, 'Ink Me' investigates the more modern western adaptation of the medium, looking at the tattoos move from taboo criminal status to popular culture.
The works serve as a reminder to live life and laugh as much as possible, because even a tattoo won't last forever.The painting section of the show has a much more personal dialogue, the works toy with concepts of creation, life, family, death and how they relate to me. The animals are a running theme through my work and I use them as symbols of love, death, myself, friends and family. Michael Keith Richards