Must See- Yoko Yamaguchi's show at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery!

You all must see Yoko Yamaguchi's show, on at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery until October 13th 2008! Yoko is Rarified's new trainee framer and a dedicated and talented artist. Her works deal with issues of cultural identity and the work is absolutely stunning in the space. All serious collectors take note, this artwork from an up and coming emerging local artist is so worthy of collection! I'll let Yoko's work do the talking, please go along and see it and support Yoko. Below is Yoko's artist statement from the show, titled; 'Only Me'.

"Name is one of the ways we identify self. Our name goes with us our entire lives, from birth to death. It may even continue after death as a memory. There can be so much feeling, passion, belief and love associated with a name.

Ones name is a very dear thing to most individuals. It is a gift from their family, and everyone has their own. My name is my only treasure. I am eternally grateful for the name my family bestowed upon me; Yoko.

My solo exhibition at Tuggeranong Arts Centre Gallery is including recent of my works which I created in School of Art, and also recent new works. This show provided a good opportunity to get to know myself, and to think about my past experiences and memories one more time. Japan and Australia are two countries that I feel a personal connection with. Each of the keywords I identified as being important to my life (self, family, personal identity, Japanese and Australian culture) opened up feelings and possibilities within my art that I have and will continue to explore. The questions I forced myself to answer regarding my own identity created answers that inspired my art.


One particular aspect I explore in my art is culture. Two different cultures dwell within me at all times, mixing but not quite blending with each other. My formative years were spent immersed in Japanese culture. Who I am now and how I perceive the world owes much to this time. Despite this heavy influence and the deep regard I have for my cultural heritage, I also feel that bit by bit, piece by piece, my identity is being transformed under the influence of Australian life. Ever so subtly I note changes in my way of thinking, my point of view.


I spent a long time trying to find a commonality between Australia and Japan until I realized that I was the answer I sought. It was me that connected these two cultures together in my mind and it is my experiences that I should try to express in my art. "


Source- Yoko Yamamguchi - Artists Statement- 'Only Me' Oct' 2008.

Exhibition Murray Kirkland- 'Clouds and Flying Dreams'

'Clouds and Flying Dreams' an exhibition of paintings by artist Murray Kirkland opened at Rarified Friday 15th August at 6.00pm and runs until Wednesday 27th August 2008.

The exhibition features sublime images of clouds, juxtaposed against whimsical paintings of aerial views of the Australian landscape.

In Murray's words;

'I originally started painting clouds as a release from working on the war related work that I have been doing since 1994.

Often people ask how I manage to make them look so peaceful, I guess if they know the other artwork I do, they would understand.

I enjoy the challenge of representing the subtle tones and play of light in clouds, so now rather than a counter to the war related work, clouds have become something I seek out.

I read in a food column in the Sydney Morning Herald a couple of weeks ago, “When was the last time you lay on the grass and watched the clouds?” The author went on to say that the reader probably can’t remember, but I do and I do it as often as possible.

It’s not just painting clouds that works as therapy, you have to take the time to look at them, it’s bit like smelling roses, you should always take the time.

I guess the aim of this exhibition is to show others how I perceive things; I’ve been having flying dreams all my life, a beautiful and exhilarating experience.

Personally I want to encourage people to look up more often, to take the time to
look at clouds, to smell the roses, to slow down.'

The exhibition is on show at the Rarified Framing Gallery until Wednesday 27th August 2008.

Match your frame to your Spoodle, Poodle, Moodle.... Or any pet for that matter!

Here's great idea- match your frame to your pet animal!

Pictured here is Odie, Rarified's new mascot, a gorgeous Spoodle puppy, Sam's new 'fur child'. Here he is luxuriating in his bean bag in the store. Drop by most mornings to meet him- he loves people!

What's a Spoodle? A poodle crossed with a cocker spaniel, brains and beauty in one woolley package. The perfect dog for Woolley St.

We framed him in what I like to call the 'spoodle frame', perfect for the new decorative look creeping into interiors and great for adding some luxe to your walls. It's a 10 x 10 cm frame, Rarified makes these eclectic frames from custom framing offcuts and this sized frame retails for a very affordable $12.00!* We think the curly pattern and sophisticated style of the frame are perfect for framing a dog of distinction!

And for July, buy two ready made frames of the same size and receive a third readymade frame of the same size or smaller for free! Offer valid until 1st August 2008.

Plus, for the seventh emailer who answers the following question; 'Who is Rarified new mascot?', we'll send you a $50 custom framing voucher, valid until 30th August 2008! Entries close 30th July 2008.

*The Rarified ready made frame range is an eclectic mix of frame styles-we cannot guarantee matching styles, yet all styles can be custom made to order.

Gorgeous New Stock from Yumi Yumi

Rarified has just received some gorgeous new prints from Yumi Yumi from etsy.com.

Yumi Yumi- alias Aline *Yumi* Yamada is a; 'fine artist and illustrator originally from Brazil. I currently reside in the midwest with my husband and son, where I'm still learning how to cook, garden and keep up with my toddler.'

Click on her shop name to see other examples of her art and purchase works directly.

The Rarified team love her whimsical illustrations, fine art skills and beautiful sense of colour.

Stay tuned over the next few weeks as they are framed and added to the Rarified gallery walls.

* Images copyright - Yumi Yumi.

Super Saturday Sale 24th May 2008

Super Saturday Sale

Get ready for day of fun!

Saturday 24th May 2008, Rarified is holding a 'Super Saturday Sale'!

Buy two framed wall stock prints and receive the third for half price!*

Or bring in three items to be framed and receive the fourth framed for free!**

This great offer is for one day only, from 9am until 4pm on Saturday 24th May 2008, so don't miss out!

Rarified is currently stocked with a great selection of framed prints and ready made frames to choose from.

Plus- 10% of proceeds from the day will be donated to the World Vision Myanmar Cyclone Appeal.

To find out more and how you can donate to the World Vision Appeal in the meantime click here


* The half price frame is to be the lesser in value of the three.

**The free frame is to be the lesser in value of the four. Offer is strictly limited to sales made on Saturday 24th May 2008.

Using colour to give your framing impact - pink

Recently the Rarified team framed this wonderful original Nina Simone record cover for a special client.

Our client is a big fan of Nina Simone, her music means a lot to her and she wanted to choose a frame that represented Nina's individual style.

Our client's favourite colour is also pink, a happy coincidence, as the use of this musk stick pink frame perfectly compliments the yellow and pink in the record cover design, making for a stand out individual piece!

In her words; 'I love it, the colour is from the era and suits the artist, as she was so unique'.

Framing Medals and Memorabilia

With Anzac day approaching, the Rarified team thought we would share this story with you.

Framing medals and other memorabilia makes a powerful and lasting tribute that honours loved ones, their lives and achievements, whilst allowing every day viewing.

Pictured here is a collection of medals and a photo booked in for framing by a private Rarified client. Here the medals were hand sewn into position, using minimal stitching and no glues. The matt colour chosen, a lovely warm beige, suits the serious and traditional subject matter and helps to 'lift' the metallic tones in the medals.

The personal story here honours; 'Wal- a father, grandfather & great grandfather. In memory of his service in the Great War in France and Belgium'.

Finally, the bronze coloured timber frame compliments the piece and pulls it all together without competing for attention, adding just a hint of metallic sheen.

'Thanks for the job, the finished result was excellent both in the quality of the work and the colours used for the frame and background, which really work well with the medals & badges.'

Who do you know who owns medals or other memorabilia, that would love to honour them with framing, or elevate them through the framing process?