Young Members | Field Trip: Upstairs Gallery

Come with us on a Young Members field trip to Upstairs Gallery in Titirangi for an action-packed afternoon including an exhibition viewing, two artist talks, a short film screening and a drawing workshop.

We will first visit DOWNTOWN 23, an exhibition featuring four emerging West Auckland artists. With nods to graffiti, the urban landscape and the forever cool street-art-style paintings of Jean-Michel Basquiat, this show challenges stereotypes of how young men navigate their journey into manhood in raw, unique and diverse ways.

After a chat with artists Java Leonard and Fauze Hassen we will move to the old film theatre at Lopdell House for a screening and discussion of Fauze’s short film, Photographing Dead Flowers. The event wraps up with an accessible-to-all, free-style drawing workshop by Java. Tickets include a non-alcoholic drink thanks to Almighty, and you can purchase alcoholic beverages as well.   

Young Members

As a Member, you can purchase up to two tickets to this event, so bring a friend! Young Member events are designed for those under 40, but if you're young at heart, feel free to join us. Not a Member yet? Join here

About the exhibition

DOWNTOWN 23 is inspired by Downtown 81, a 2000 film shot in the early 80s with Jean-Michael Basquiat playing himself as a painter, poet and musician in a sub-culture of post-punk New York. This rare, real-life snapshot embodies a diversity of creative expression that is also showcased in the exhibition, which includes works by four upcoming artists navigating the urban environment through art with a raw energy. DOWNTOWN 23 aims to challenge stereotypes of how young men navigate their journey into manhood with a collective that is diverse and varied, unique to each. The show includes works by Java Leonard, Fauze Hassen, REKSO and Valkyria.

Free-style drawing workshop

Java Leonard’s mixed-media, often large-scale works come about through a process of visualising his thoughts. Through layered, gestural characters overlapped with text, he creates colourful pools of symbolism and narrative.

This hour-long drawing workshop will be explorative and free-flowing, using simple mediums like charcoal and graphite on paper and card to capture and create a combination of interesting characters, objects, words, and abstract mark-making. Great for all levels!

About The Upstairs Art Gallery

The Upstairs Gallery is a hub connecting the community with local artists. Set in Titirangi’s iconic Lopdell House, the gallery features solo and group exhibitions throughout the year.

Where: 418 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Auckland

When: Sat 2 Dec 2–4pm

Getting There: Several buses travel to Titirangi from the CBD and/or New Lynn bus depot. Local parking is available but come early as it might take a while to find a park in the area.

Image credits from top: Fauze Hassen, Thinking about fornication with 3d glasses, detail. 2023.   | Java Leonard, 2023. Photo: Leela Bhai | Lopdell House