LADYLIKE - SOLO EXHIBITION BY NERYL WALKER

You’re invited to LADYLIKE!

This solo exhibition has been a looong time in the making - featuring a collection of bold figurative paintings, silhouette cutouts and even a hand tufted rug!

Opening night on Thurs 24th April

Outre Gallery - 319 Smith St, Fitzroy 6pm

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Ladylike: graceful, polite, and behaving in a way that is considered socially acceptable for a woman. Pfft!

Ladylike explores how women and femmes are constantly navigating expectations about how they should present themselves, and delves into everyday language that subtly polices and diminishes women’s actions. Words like hormonal, bitch, ditsy, nag, and catty carry negative or patronising undertones. Some terms reflect double standards: a woman is labeled a slut, while a man is seen as a player; she’s bossy, while he’s simply assertive.

Each artwork is playfully titled after one of these insults, inviting viewers to reflect on how these labels shape our perceptions. Created with a sense of freedom and joy, this collection unapologetically celebrates women as they are.

You can see the entire show here.

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‘Ladylike’ - mixed media on plywood 1300 × 900 × 40mm

I’m super happy with this collection and can’t wait to share more with you all!

For exclusive early bird access to the preview on Thursday 17th April, please sign up to Outre Gallery's mailing list here.

Hope to see you there to help celebrate with me!

CRAZY CAT LADIES

New print for all the crazy cat ladies- childless or otherwise :)

wo stylised figures wearing cat-themed outfits, one in pink and red leopard print and the other in orange tiger stripes, pose dynamically in high heels against a neutral background.

If you've been watching the US election showdown, this is my response to JD Vance's insult,
“We are effectively run in this country … by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made, and so they wanna make the rest of the country miserable, too,” 

Ugh...

Framed artwork depicting two stylised figures with feline features, in a bedroom with a bed and lamp.

Limited edition giclee print, hand signed and numbered in three sizes- A3, A2, and A1. Available here

BENALLA STREET ART MURAL FESTIVAL 2024

Earlier this year in March I participated in the Benalla Street Art Festival. 15 artists transformed 15 walls over a one week period in sweet ‘n sunny Benalla (Rose City) just 2 hours north of Melbourne.

Large mural of five strong women in dynamic poses in pink and black, painted on blue brick wall

Pic @HollyHawkins

I wanted to explore the notion of women taking up and owning their space with this mural - all 16m x 3.5m of it. The title ‘Whole Lotta Rosies’ is a cheeky nod to the AC/DC song and a reference to Rose City.

I loved every minute of this project. It did have some challenges, (hello deep mortar brick lines) but it was such a fun experience painting at this scale, meeting the other artists, and chatting to the locals every day.

'Whole Lotta Rosies' mural painting of strong women by female muralist Neryl Walker

Mega thanks to my invaluable assistants Tim Haynes and our daughter, plus cameo paint appearances by my two sisters. It was a family affair!

Super grateful to Eddie Zammit for the invite, Travis Price for the recommendation and Benalla Rural City Council. Also to our wonderful Benalla hosts, Neil and Lois Smith.

Australian artist, Neryl Walker painting mural
Benalla girl mural painting with rose by Neryl Walker

Totally worth visiting this cute town tow to see all the amazing artworks. My piece is located at Bertalli’s Arcade entry, in the Denny Street carpark.

Source: https://www.benallastreetartfestival.com.au/walls/neryl-walker/

'WOMANHOLES' LIMITED EDITION PRINT

My playful take on the masculine word ‘manhole’, and it’s now gender neutral term, 'maintenance hole' :)

Six women peeking out of manholes in red stockings, red high heels, and beehive on blue background

Limited edition giclee prints available here in A3, A2 and A1 size.

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Source: https://shop.neryl.com/products/womanholes

'EXPOSURE' SCREEN PRINT WITH ALL STAR PRESS CHICAGO

So happy with how these turned out. Those hand deckled edges are sweet! Thank you ASP team!

The title is a playful dig at the common request for creatives to work without pay in exchange for visibility. ‘Working for exposure’


16 x 20”
4 Colour Screen print on 160lb Mohawk Superfine Ultra White
Edition of 30 

Available NOW in the US at All Star Press Chicago.

Source: https://shop.neryl.com/products/exposure-screen-print

ART FAIR 2023

This year I was happy to be invited by Outre Gallery to exhibit at the Affordable Art Fair in Melbourne. They had a gorgeous booth of interesting, contemporary artworks by a select group of artists, both local and international.

Outer Gallery at Affordable Art Fair Melbourne
Faded beauty painted sculpture head by female artist Neryl Walker

Faded Beauty

I exhibited four new sculpture paintings and one A2 screen print created specifically for the event.

With these works I am continuing to explore the double standard language of gender. It’s an old narrative of equality (or lack there of) but one that is still so interesting to me. Why are there so many more derogative terms for female than males?

(Not Your) Princess painted sculpture head by female artist Neryl Walker

(Not Your) Princess

Ice Queen painted sculpture head by female artist Neryl Walker

Ice Queen

Tramp painted sculpture body silhouette by female artist Neryl Walker

Tramp

I had a great response to these works and the sentiment behind them. All original sculpture paintings have sold but there are still some ‘Bubbles Burst’ screen prints available at Outre Gallery.

A2 four colour screen print with super snazzy silver glitter

Limited edition of 50. Hand signed and numbered.

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HARDSHIPS PRINT

New print now available. The original painting was created using mixed media on plywood.

I’d like to create a little ‘tongue in cheek’ series of the numerous hardships of being a woman. :)

Hardships art print by Neryl Walker. Girl putting on bra

‘Hardships’

Gallery quality giclee print using archival inks on 300gsm art paper

Limited edition of 100, hand signed and numbered.

Available in A3, A2, and A1 size. Please enquire about A0 size. Available here.

Contemporary art print 'Hardships' by Neryl Walker. Female putting on bra
Source: https://shop.neryl.com/products/hardships

MORTAL MACHINE GALLERY GROUP EXHIBITION

New artworks heading to New Orleans Mortal Machine Gallery for their group show 'No Logic, No Boundaries'.

I love painting these sculptural heads. Colourful and bold but with layers of textures, patterns, complexity and intrigue.

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Star - 20 x 14 x 1.5” mixed media on plywood

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Boss - 19 x 16 x 1.5”  mixed media on plywood

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The show will include artwork by 8 artists including: 

Chelsea Nyegaard

Mario Maple

Ellena Lourens

Roxy Peroxyde

Mando Marie

Hoxxoh

Justin Henry Miller

Neryl Walker


Opening reception is this Friday 31st Mar 7-10pm at:

940 Royal St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

For any enquiries please contact: mortalmachinenola@gmail.com

ROXY MUSIC'S COUNTRY LIFE

My take on the iconic 1974 Roxy Music album cover, 'Country Life'.

I've always loved this iconic image of Eveline Grunwald and Constanze Karoli taken by Eric Bowman. Scroll down to see the original image.

The two German girls were apparently fans and met the band in a bar. They agreed to do the shoot when Roxy Music's original models fell through.

The title ‘Country Life’ was named after the British magazine for the gentry and Brian Ferry wanted a tongue in cheek contrast to the usual wholesome, staid photographs that sported the cover. It proved to be quite controversial and was censored in some parts of the world. Early US copies were shrink-wrapped in opaque plastic and then re released with the back cover pic that featured only the trees/bushes.

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My original painting was exhibited and sold at The Record Collection show curated by Rick Mereki. Partial benefits going to the Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Now available here as a limited edition print from A3+ to A0 size.

RONNIE SPECTOR

Another legend gone. RIP Ronnie Spector, lead singer of the Ronettes and original 'bad girl of rock n roll'. What a voice, with the best beehive in town.

A4 and A3 limited edition prints now available in the shop. High quality giclee print on 300gsm natural Cotton Rag Art Paper using archival inks. Limited edition of 100 hand signed and numbered by the artist

I also have two small original paintings of Ronnie available. Click on the images to take you directly to the shop.


NORMA JEAN WOFFORD 'THE DUCHESS'

Norma Jean Wofford, nicknamed 'The Duchess' by Bo Diddley, was the second rockin' female guitarist in Bo's band in the 1960's.

The coolest.

A4 and A3 prints now available in the shop. High quality giclee print on 300gsm natural Cotton Rag Art Paper using archival inks. Limited edition of 100 hand signed and numbered by the artist

POISON IVY RORSCHACH

All hail Poison Ivy Rorschach, co founding mistress of The Cramps and Gretsch slinging queen of rock’n roll.

I’ve been lucky enough to have witnessed The Cramps in Melbourne, London and New York. Their live shows were a hoot- Lux’s hilarious antics contrasted with Ivy’s ice cool badass-ery and guitar prowess.

Her important role was often undermined. “Nobody ever talks to me about music or guitar,” she said. “I’m the queen of rock n’ roll and for this to not to be recognised is pure sexism.”

A4 and A3 Ivy prints are now available in the shop as part of the music icons print range.

High quality giclee print on 300gsm natural Cotton Rag Art Paper using archival inks. Limited edition of 100 hand signed and numbered by the artist.

THE DIVINE FELINE

I’m a big cat fan so this was an easy job to say yes to. The Divine Feline - A Chic Ladies Guide to Woman’s Best Friend. Written by best selling author Belinda Alexandra, designed by Madeleine Kane, illustrated throughout by me and published by Murdoch Books.

The book looks at the relationships between women and cats throughout history (my fave part), how to communicate with your cat /reading body language, behavioural questions, famous cat lovers and the authors own experiences as an ardent cat lover. Added bonus of a tactile velvet spine!

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Murdoch Books have given me 5 copies to giveaway so I’m running an Instagram competition. Head over to @nerylwalker to enter. Open internationally and ends on Sun 7th Feb. Good luck!

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The book is available in Australia at Amazon and Booktopia, in the US via Amazon and Barnes and Noble, in the UK at Amazon and Waterstones and in Canada at Amazon and Indigo Books.

And thanks to Jacky Winter for organising it all!

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ROCK'N DOLLS -FREE PAPER DOLL DOWNLOAD

Hey ho, lets go!

In light of our current house bound situation, I’ve created some crafty iso entertainment for the kids (and big kids too), in the form of free printable downloads of my rock’n roll paper dolls, Joey Ramone and Debbie Harry (Blondie).

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I loved paper dolls as a kid and spent hours creating costumes for my hand made dolls. I originally created Rock n Dolls for a book (that didn’t get published) but I’m making them available to all of my subscribers. If you’re not a current subscriber, please subscribe in the pop up and the download will be sent straight to you.

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You can download in colour or (if you really need time to get some shit done), give them to your kids in black and white to colour in first.

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Instructions

Loosely cut out the body and base and glue onto cardboard using a glue stick or spray adhesive. I used 1.5mm craft board, but you could use any stiff cardboard you have laying around, old packaging, cereal boxes, etc.

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Cut the dolls out using a sharp craft knife (adults you will probably need to do this). For doll stability do not cut the area between the legs.

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Fit the base together where the slots meet in a cross shape. Your doll should now stand.

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Cut each item of clothing. Remember to keep the tabs intact. 

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Now dress up Joey and Deb!

You could also make other items of clothing or accessories. Just trace the shape of the doll and get creative.

If the tabs are too tricky for your little ones, forget the tabs and glue clothes directly on. Whatever works for you!

I’d also love to see pics of your finished dolls (don’t forget to tag me @nerylwalker so I can see).

Stay safe, happy crafting and keep rockin!

neryl xxx

*This is for personal use only. For commercial use or reproduction, please contact me first.

Rock n Dolls printable paper dolls here.

DING DONG! AVON CALLING!

Avon brings back so many memories for many people so it was pleasure to work on this recent packaging job. Vanilla Champagne is a limited edition range of body products, part of their vintage inspired ‘Iconic Avon’ range. Check it out here.

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ARBORY x FOUR PILLARS

The Arbory Afloat in Melbourne have collaborated with Four Pillars to create a limited edition pink ‘Miami Afloat Gin’ exclusive to their Yarra River bar, featuring one of my illustrations on the label.

The ingredient list includes pineapple sage, orris root, strawberry gum, the peels of orange, lemon and grapefruit and the pink colour is the addition of Davidson Plums.

Unfortunatey the gin is not available to buy but you can taste it exclusively at the Arbory Afloat in Melbourne. I can vouch that it tastes as good as it looks. But be quick, the pink gin party will be over by the end of summer :)

Big thanks to 21-19 for the awesome design and Jacky Winter all things biz.

Pink gin bottle featuring nude woman in pink water with drinks

Photo Simon Shiff Arbory Afloat

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PLAYBOY FEMLIN PRINT LAUNCH

Femlins are go!

I feel so incredibly lucky to be the artist chosen to reinterpret the iconic Playboy Femlin, originally designed by LeRoy Neiman in the 50's.

Now you can take the impish gal home with you.

Three new A4 giclee prints of designs used in Playboy Magazine - 'Lets Dance', 'Like Me' and 'Book Smarts'. Now available as a limited edition of 100, hand signed and numbered on 300gsm art paper, using archival inks.

There is also a special bundle price to buy all three designs with combined shipping if you just can't decide!

Check her out in the shop.

Scantily clad nude pink stylised woman in stockings
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