This month Don’t Ban The Can is proud to announce Demand Attention, a solo exhibition from
Adnate. Stretching his limits far beyond his graffiti art, he has produced major pieces exclusive for a
show that push the boundaries between street and fine art.

More than a decade ago Adnate first picked up a spray can, sparking a flow of creativity that has never been blocked. He has now flourished not only as a recognized and respected graffiti artist within the
scene, but also as an accomplished fine artist regularly exhibiting in galleries. “I always knew that my
graffiti was art and I always knew that one day, my art would end up in a gallery” says Adnate.

Born and raised in Melbourne, he has bared witness to one of the most avant-garde street art capitals of the world. Adnate has contributed to the scene through countless graffiti murals, showcasing his art around the streets. In recent years his work can be seen in New York, Paris, Berlin, and more including a Spanish Council sponsored exhibition in Barcelona.

This year Adnate has brought a solo show to “No Vacancy”, a centrally located gallery that has always proved to be a world class exhibition space. The gallery prides itself on continuing to promote locally
based artists and has become an iconic part of the Melbourne community. Exhibition openings have
consistently drawn crowds in the hundreds and this show is guaranteed to be packed with all walks of life.

The title of the exhibition Demand Attention is derived from Adnate’s perception of people’s constant
need to be noticed within society. From his graffiti art to a corporation’s brand name advertising, they
both strive for attention in the same way. Plastering their names across cities they are in a constant
visual battle with everyone and everything around them.

The show’s subject matter has been specifically broad, exploring elements of life, beauty, the
environment and urban decay. “His style, passion and diversity in his work signifies an evolution in
our graffiti culture, further cementing a place for graffiti artists in Melbourne’s world renowned art
scene”, says Jeremy Gaschk, Director of Don’t Ban The Can. In turn he has produced a show of epic
proportions with larger than life canvases, wooden sculptures and mural work.

This show is guaranteed to be a landmark for Adnate, launching his name into Melbourne’s
contemporary art scene armed with brushes, spray cans, hack saws and a bachelor in graffiti art

Opening Event 6:00pm Friday 22nd January,
Showing until 7th February 2010

Don’t Ban the Can (DBTC) is a non-profit arts and culture movement with an underground urban philosophy, formed as a result of harsh, unjust anti graffiti laws within Victoria, Australia. Jeremy Gaschk together with the We Make Stuff Good collective felt the need for a voice from the streets. Created and run by artists for artists, the movement began with a stand against the new anti graffiti laws introduced into Victoria in June 2008. With a successful initial event in September 2008, the project received support from tens of thousand’s of people from around the globe. DBTC has felt the need to expand into a world wide pro graffiti and street art movement. This has involved tackling issues that inhibit the art form’s culture, ethos and creativity to successfully prosper, evolve and expand.

The Croft Alley Project will bring together an all-star line up of artists from around Australia to create a world-class, large-scale, urban masterpiece. Using graffiti, street, stencil, sticker and paste up artists the project will transform the Croft laneway from a dirty back alley into a creative, colourful and socially innovative thoroughfare visited by tens of thousands of tourists each year.

The DBTC team are very excited to announce this project, believing it will be a very beneficial event to positively enrich Melbourne’s most neglected, persecuted and advantageous art form. This project is one of many initiatives the DBTC team are currently undertaking, including a pioneering month long urban arts and culture festival in January 2010.

There is a great list of DJ’s lined up and there will be some dope headlining acts dropping next week, just wanna keep some suspense for ya’ll…

Here’s a link straight to the event on Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128615072524

Till then.

Peace

Here is an article written by Stella Tzobanakis, featured on the front page of the Hobsons Bay Leader and in the Moreland Leader early this week. The article talks about the festival we are currently working hard on for January 2010. Highlighting the tourism that will be brought to Melbourne in January and the positive aspects of Graffiti and Street Art on the whole Melbourne.

Started in 2008 as a reaction to Victorias harsh anti-graffiti laws, Dont Ban The Can is a non-profit organisation dedicated to spreading the positive message of Melbournes vibrant underground arts scene. By educating the wider community on the vibrancy and life found in street-art, last years DBTC event raised awareness of underground art, proving a success with graffiti artists and novices alike.

Yo,

Welcome to the new Don’t Ban the Can Website. We are currently working hard on a new month long festival and some massive legal productions dropping soon. Please sign up for the newsletter and keep checking up on the site to keep in the loop. Hit us up for any inquires or involvement on

thecrew@dontbanthecan.com

Peace