YUKI x CREATURE CREATURE
We've teamed up with CREATURE CREATURE, an artist duo based in Melbourne, Australia, comprising Chanel Tang and Ambrose Rehorek. With a collaborative art practice that spans across exhibiting art, murals, street art, design, and illustration, they have established themselves as a unique voice in the visual landscape.
Incorporating their Chinese and Czech backgrounds, Creature Creature's art is a convergence of Asian aesthetics and style with a Western perspective, resulting in works brimming with contrast and fluidity.
Their work embodies the concept of duality and the sum of a whole, emphasising messages of togetherness, states of balance, yin and yang.
Through their partnership, they aim to preserve diversity and create artistic expressions that are complex, layered, and interconnected, celebrating the beauty of unity.
Tell us about your story as an artist?
We met at university studying graphic design, we were both lost art school graduates and found a new passion for art-making when we met each other and started collaborating. The rest is history!
How would you describe your art or yourself as an artist?
Our art is always telling the story of us, the togetherness and the duality. We are alway striving for balance and harmony in our art and in how we live our life.
What is the message or feeling of this piece?
This piece aims to capture states of calm, contrast and flow. There is a slight sense of tension between the dance of predator and prey. Forming the yin and yang philosophy.
What organisation did you choose to donate to and why?
We have chosen Aussie Ark because of our interest in animals. Their mission is to protect threatened wildlife and to create healthy ecosystems within Aussie Ark sanctuaries and through rewilding.
Soapbox moment. Is there anything you want to give thanks for, call out or start aconversation about?
We attribute most of the success and happiness in our life to building relationships with others, generosity and a sense of community. We believe in the philosophy of collaboration and working together is the key to thriving and surviving just like in the animal kingdom.
Where can we check out more of your art?
Our instagram @creaturecreaturestudios and our website creaturecreature.com.au.We also have painted many public murals around Melbourne and interstate so keep your eye out.
Can you describe your creative process or the techniques you use in your art?
We always conceptualise ideas together, designing and drafting is usually done digitally, a lot of our pieces are then hand painted with acrylic paint usually of wood. But we love to experiment with many materials and mediums.
Are there any specific artists or art movements that have influenced your work?
We are particularly inspired by Ukiyo-e prints, which originated in Edo period Japan. We love the flat, graphic style, colour and gradients in these pictures.
How do you choose the colors, themes, or subjects for your artwork?
Most of our work features animals, we love the symbolism and storytelling that animals evoke. We love traditional art from east and west and we try to put our spin and contemporary twist on ancient iconography.
Could you share a memorable experience or moment that has impacted your art journey?
Years ago when we didn't know anyone in the art scene or have any portfolio, our friend who had just moved to Melbounre invited us to an opening at a local artist-run space. It was there when we realised that this was a community we could be a part of, it wasn't intimidating and exclusive. We started by putting a couple of works in group show callouts and then our art practice and career has grown from there. Now, we cannot believe the people we have met, and projects we get to be a part of.
What do you hope viewers take away from your artwork?
We hope that viewers feel a sense of serenity experiencing our work. That everything is in its right place, and everything is connected.
How does your art reflect your connection to nature, adventure, or sustainability?
Our work is very much inspired by the wonder of the natural world and an appreciation and awe in the beauty it offers. A lot of ideas for our artworks are sparked by being out in nature, observing the world, and noticing details and patterns and light that keep as reference for our work.
Can you provide insights into any upcoming projects or collaborations in the pipeline?
We are having an exhibition of new work opening December the 15th at No Vacancy Gallery in QV (Melbourne cbd.) Here we are focusing on mixed media works and installations which are more immersive. It is important to us to keep experimenting and pushing ourselves into more ambitious works which this exhibition will showcase.
What role do sustainability and ethical practices play in your artistic process?
We aim to make ethical and sustainable decisions as much as we can in our practice. A lot of the time this means thinking responsibility about the materials we are using, not creating too much waste and working and collaboration with businesses who do the same, such as printers and manufacturers.
How can your art contribute to raising awareness about environmental or social issues?
We believe in the power of art and imagery, that it can express multitudes, more than words and cross language barriers. It's such an important tool of communication and it reflects our humanity.
Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for emerging artists or those interested in supporting art with a cause?
Find your community, engage with it in real life, be generous with your time and skills, and be resilient.
