Unexpected Welcome was precisely as the name suggests. A world unto itself dreamed up by Moooi and their long term collaborator Erwin Olaf. A series of hyper-real dramatically lit sets were accompanied by super-sized backdrops of stunning images by the master Dutch photographer. Each setting provided an escape and told it’s own story. There was a beautiful tension created by the irreverent, sometimes flirtatious styling of the furniture, props and lighting, while the haunting and enigmatic backdrops provided a real sense of grandeur and drama…

The work of Paris-based artist Philippe Soussan is not easily described. His pieces sit at the intersection of photography, sculpture and installation art. They are avant-garde and surreal. A playful game of ideas…

American photographer Aline Smithson has reinterpreted a famous 19th century painting by James McNeill Whistler “Arrangement in Grey and Black No 1”, colloquially know as “Whistler’s Mother”. Smithson’s clever series features the artist’s grandmother dressed in hilarious outfits creating a different scene in each image. What a hoot!

Sydney artist Philjames is an elusive character. He doesn’t have a website and he doesn’t like to show his face in public. “Yeah, I kinda like the incognito thing. Not that I’m trying to be Banksy or anything, I just don’t like posing for photos” said the artist during our email exchange. Fair enough! His works speaks for itself after-all…

It’s the first Monday of the month, which means it’s Yellowtrace Spotlight time! In this month’s edition I’m sharing with you a whole bunch of design news including a beautiful new house by Wolveridge Architects; new products from AÃRK Collective, Dinosaur Designs and Nick Rennie; art exhibitions by Troy Emery and Marc Freeman; fun workshops at the Object Gallery amongst other things…