Local Artist on International Exposure

BY TAVAKE SIMON HANA’AROA

A local contemporary artist and renown tattooist is on a three weeks training and exposure program which is currently underway in Melbourne, Australia.

Called the Residency Training for Artists, Fred Oge is fortunate to be invited for the training as it is a big exposure for him as an artist.

“This program is organized by an artist friend from Australia and he invited me to be part of it alongside other big artists across Melbourne and other parts of Australia.

“It is indeed a huge exposure for me as an artist as this allows me to meet other artists, visiting galleries and as well building connections with tattoo artists here, (Melbourne),” Oge said.

Apart from the training, Oge also took time out to visit one of his artistic friend whom together they install his mirror sculpture at St Kilda community garden for the Sculpture competition.

For Fred Oge, this program has allowed him to learn new things and ideas which he said he would implement and work on when he returned to the country.

For the past two weeks, Oge also took hands-on in tattoo studios which he said both the tattooists and their clients impressed with the local Solomon Islands designs.

“There’s a tattoo studio here in Melbourne called Mutiny on the Bounty Collective and Tattoo Studio that wanted me to connect with them because they love our local design,” he said.

Oge’s acrylic and canvas paintings were also high in demand.

He said compared to the Solomon Islands, tattoo studios in Australia are more advanced, saying that they have proper equipment facilities where it is also available in shops and online.

He stated that such training like this one is vital for the development of the artists in the country, to help them exposed internationally and also to established connections with overseas artists or organizations.

“This is a good experience for me even though it’s just a three weeks program but I manage to make the most out of it.

“I have created networks with studios and galleries here too which is a bonus added to what I am here for.

“I believe with the help of the Artist Association of Solomon Islands (ASSI), there are opportunities here for artists’ exposure and also to find connections with the artist here,” Oge said optimistically.

With most of his paintings already sold, Oge is in high spirits and is optimistic to participate in the Exhibition of arts on the 3rd of November.

He said he is more than ready to showcase Solomon Islands’ unique arts and paintings and also fly the country’s flag.