“Somewhere Down The Barrel” 2022
2020, Acrylic on canvas, 1210mm x 1820mm
Private commission
COOPS LANE, MELBOURNE CENTRAL, VIC (Group exhibition)
October 2019 - January 2020
I was very happy to get an invite 2 exhibit in a special celebration of 50 years of Sesame Street. 50 artists all getting 2 have their take on characters that shaped us in 1 way or another. I was never that good with maths but I could count watching Sesame Street 2x a day, so to be given The Count as my character to was rad and a fun 1 2 do. AH AH AH!
Curated by Eddie Zammit
Presented by Radio Velvet
Exhibited artwork -
‘50 YEARS AND COUNTING’ 2018, Giclee Print on Fine Art paper, 420mm x 594mm
LONE GOAT GALLERY, BYRON BAY
12 July - 6 August 2019
‘Hypnagogic Tableau’ takes a look through a lucid window of space between consciousness and unconsciousness, past and present, technology and nature, and allowing you to experience all the sensory freedom that comes with that space. The show will feature plays on light, painting, installations and video work. ‘Hypnagogic Tableau’ is Lee McConnell's first solo exhibItion.
Artworks in order -
‘ANSWERS’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 2900mm x 1600mm
‘CONVERSATION TOO LONG’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 1820mm x 1210mm
‘INTO ACTION’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 1820mm x 1210mm
‘LISTEN & LEARN’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 1210mm x 1520mm
‘GOOD DREAM’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 1210mm x 1520mm
‘SUNNY SIDE A’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 1210mm x 1520mm
‘THINK HARDER’ 2019, Acrylic on canvas, framed, 1210mm x 1520mm
‘A TV NEVER WATCHED YOU’ 2019, Mixed media
‘EGG ON A TURNTABLE’ 2019, Mixed media
‘INCOMMODIOUS’ 2019, Mixed media
‘LET IT OUT BEFORE IT’S OVER’ 2019, Mixed media
Photography - Amac
Video - Ashi Arizona
Music - Los Scallywaggs ‘Smile Stranger’
COOPS LANE GALLERY, MELBOURNE CENTRAL, VIC (Group exhibition)
November 2018 - February 2019
I was invited to exhibit in a group show presented by Radio Velvet and curated by Eddie Zammit celebrating 90 years of Mickey Mouse. 90 Artists from around the world did their take on the famous rodent. I chose to take a page out of Alice’s book showing Mickey’s graceful fall through the test of time and technology.
Exhibited artwork -
‘90 YEARS DOWN THE MOUSE HOLE’ 2018, Giclee Print on Fine Art paper, 420mm x 594mm
Photos - Aaron White
HOUSE OF VANS, MELBOURNE, VIC (Group Charity Exhibition)
10 & 11 November 2017
Artwork (left) - ‘KICKS’ 2017, Acrylic on Vans Sk8-Hi shoe, and mixed media
“In partnership with Beach Burrito Company, we have come together for the “Tic Taco: Kicks” group charity art show dedicated to our iconic Sk8-Hi. Friends of Vans and artistic legends will be painting, drawing, spraying up some colour relief across the Sk8-Hi silhouette. House of Vans Melbourne is the first stop on the Tic Taco: Kicks roadshow where the shoes will be auctioned off with a percentage of proceeds going toward Skate Aid, supporting kids in areas of conflict and deprivation by bringing skateboarding to their communities.” - VANS
Artists include -
Silly Pear / Arth Gruz / Sprinkles / Kon / Brett Chan / Lauren Webster / Poison / Lee McConnell / Sindy Sinn / JRB / Lusid Art / Ink Boy / Kiel Tillman / Buttons / Dale Bigeni / Matt Bourne / Le Grizzle / Glenno Smith / Andy Murphy / Pigeon Boy / Mike Watt / Mark Richardson/ + more
Touring Exhibiton Events -
November 18 – Beach Burrito, Dee Why, NSW
December 2 – Beach Burrito, Coogee, NSW
December 16 – Beach Burrito, Civic, ACT
January 20 – Beach Burrito, West End, QLD
February 3 – Beach Burrito, Newtown, NSW
February 13th – Beach Burrito, Bondi Tic Taco Event (Bowl-A-Rama Event)
ALPHA GALLERY, NEWTOWN, NSW (Group exhibition)
5 May - 7 May 2017
Artworks in order -
‘WITH THE LOT’ 2019, Giclee print on Ilford Fine Art paper, 420mm x 595mm
‘NEW WORLD ORDER’ 2019, Giclee print on Ilford Fine Art paper, 420mm x 595mm
‘BAD ACID’ 2019, Giclee print on Ilford Fine Art paper, 420mm x 595mm
‘MEET YA IN THE BUNNY HEAD’ 2019, Giclee print on Ilford Fine Art paper, 420mm x 595mm
‘PAINT IT BLACK’ 2019, Giclee print on Ilford Fine Art paper, 420mm x 595mm
WILD THINGS GALLERY, MANLY VALE, NSW (Group charity exhibition)
26 FEBRUARY - 6 MARCH 2016
Presented by Take3 for the Sea and LA’ Division
Sixteen artists will create meaningful art on sixteen broken surfboards provided by elite professional surfers. Raising funds and awareness for Take 3 For The Sea. Opening night at Wild Things Gallery, Manly Vale, kicking off the Australian Open of Surfing.
Exhibited artwork -
‘CLEAN HOME CLEAN MIND’ 2016, Acrylic on surfboard
I painted on a board donated by Owen Wright. It sold on the opening night which was a great result with all proceeds going to Take 3.
LOBROW GALLERY, CANBERRA, ACT (Group exhibition)
4 February - 4 March 2016
A David Bowie inspired exhibition presented by Sancho's Dirty Laundry & Beach Burrito Civic
Exhibited artwork -
‘MOONAGE DAYDREAM’ 2016, Acrylic and coloured pencil on heavy fine art paper
THE SECRET GARDEN, BYRON BAY, NSW
30 January 2016
Group exhibition
Artworks -
‘SPACE PLANTS NO. 1’ 2015, Acrylic and coloured pencil on skateboard deck
‘SPACE PLANTS NO. 2 2015, Acrylic and coloured pencil on skateboard deck
NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA
6 December 2014 – 22 February 2015
Exhibited artwork - ‘ENTREE AGASSI NO.2’ Lee McConnell, 2014, Acrylic and impasto on surfboard
This was a fun time to be working for Mambo with the brands 30th birthday celebrations kicking off with a massive retrospective exhibition at the NGV. I was lucky enough to get to spend a week in Melbourne helping to set it up with Eddie Zammit and Wayne Golding. Got to witness a lot of cool shit. One day we spent the day shooting every single shirt Mambo produced from 1984 to early 2000’s and a few beyond that. Felt like a kid in a candy store! I feel grateful to have had the chance to exhibit an original piece of art at the National Gallery of Victoria alongside some of my favourite artists. I created the black and white collage wall that was featured through out the gallery. Many hours spent trawling through the art catalogue to piece it together. My ‘Magpie Swoop’ yardage was also featured on a wall surrounding a video projection as you entered. Artwork inspired by Paul Worstead’s original magpie yardage for Mambo.
ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/mambo/
NGV’s blurb -
Our country’s most irreverent and outspoken brands – Mambo – has turned 30 years old. With its idiosyncratic Australian sense of humour and perverse national pride, Mambo: 30 years of shelf-indulgence celebrates this iconic clothing label in a retrospective exhibition featuring the largest collection of Mambo works ever assembled at NGV Australia from 6 December 2014 to 22 February 2015, and a milestone publication of the same name.
Mambo: 30 years of shelf-indulgence presents all the ground-breaking ideas, subversive politics and off-the-wall larrikinism that have made it one of Australia’s most memorable brands and includes original artworks, never-before-seen developmental work and a retrospective of the most-loved pieces of apparel produced during its controversial history, including its iconic graphic T-shirts.
From artist Richard Allan’s infamous dog print to rockstar Reg Mombassa’s ‘Australian Jesus’ Hawaiian shirt, Mambo tackled racism, jingoism and commercialism – and even poked fun at the very subculture they were supposedly targeting with their clothing and accessories.
“Mambo: 30 years of shelf-indulgence presents the ideas and idiosyncrasies that have come to characterise this unconventional brand,” said Tony Ellwood, director, NGV. “It looks at some of the many artists who have made Mambo a national household name: from the legendary Reg Mombassa, with his cheeky depictions of an Aussie Messiah, to Maria Kozic’s strangely haunting Goddesses and Richard Allen’s enduring canine – the famous farting dog – which has formed the Mambo logo for more than twenty years.
“The exhibition acknowledges the singular place Mambo holds in this country as a purveyor of fashion, philosophy, art and design,” he said.
Established in 1984 by founder Dare Jennings, Mambo built its foundations on an irreverent combination of art, humour, music and surf. Pitched squarely at the average Australian, under the art direction of Wayne Golding, Mambo is credited with introducing art and humour to the previously logo-driven and humour-challenged surf wear industry.
Self-described as the ‘bastard children of surf culture’, Mambo gave rise to one of the most recognisable, authentic, vernacular, politically incorrect yet intensely political brands to rise out of the excesses of 1980s Australia. Mambo’s social commentary and political astuteness is embodied by all 250 artists that have worked for the label over the past three decades.
The brand’s artistic reputation and voice was solidified in 1993, when Mambo was invited by the Art Gallery of New South Wales to exhibit alongside an international collection of surrealist art in the show, Surrealism by Night. In 2000, the label reached new international heights when it was selected to design the Australian athletes’ uniforms for the Sydney Olympic Games.
Guest curated by Eddie Zammit in collaboration with Mambo’s original art director, Wayne Golding, and current owner Angus Kingsmill, the exhibition and publication showcase some of the finest elements of Mambo’s creative and very distinctive identity. Zammit is also the publisher of T-world magazine, the world’s only T-shirt journal documenting graphics from the past and present.
“Here’s a homegrown brand that cares about art,” said Eddie Zammit. “When it comes to Australian brands, no one comes close to the creative energy of Mambo. The exhibition will showcase the enormous 30 year contribution of this icon.”
Photo #3 - Shane Bell
Video - Mass Motion / Song - Los Scallywaggs
Exhibition poster - Reg Mombassa
NEWCASTLE ART GALLERY, NEWCASTLE, NSW
28 Nov 2015 - 24 Jan 2016
Artwork (left) -
‘NATURE OVER NUTURE’ Lee McConnell, 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on 300gsm archival fine art paper, 297mm x 420mm
“MAMBO is loud, unorthodox and quirky and one of Australia’s most recognisable design brands. It has also been the incubator for some of Australia’s most renowned artists and designers such as Novocastrian’s Bruce Goold and Michael Bell, with other noted Australian artists Reg Mombassa and Gerry Wedd to name but a few. With its broad range of appeal from poster design, painting, printmaking, ceramics, surfboard design and even pinball machine design, the scope of works and artists that have collaborated with this iconic label are broad.
This thirty plus year survey of work showcases the humour and offbeat attitude synonymous with MAMBO.”
Photos - NAG
Video - Mambo
Exhibition Poster - Reg Mombassa
THE TATE. GLEBE, NSW
27 August 2014
Artworks in order (top to bottom) -
‘BEACH SHACK WITH EK HOLDEN’ 2014, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, framed, 900mm x 600mm
‘CHANGE IN THE TIDE’ 2014, Acrylic on wood board, framed, 600mm x 945mm
‘WAVE’ 2014, Acrylic on wood board, framed, 945mm x 600mm
‘RELAXED OBSERVANT CORAL’ 2014, Acrylic, coloured pencil on wood board, framed, 440mm x 600mm
‘FRIED’ 2014, Acrylic on wood board, framed, 440mm x 600mm
‘A MOUTH FULL OF PARADISE’ 2014, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 440mm x 600mm
‘ENTREE AGASSI’ 2014, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, framed, 600mm x 440mm
EASTUDIO, BEACH ROAD HOTEL, BONDI, NSW (Group exhibition)
6 June 2014
A collection of heavy metal inspired artwork from LA’ Division’s heaviest (nicest) Artists
Artwork -
‘MAGGOT INFESTED T-BONES - TEMPURA HIGHWAY’ 2014, Acrylic and coloured pencil on 300gsm heavy grade fine art paper, 500mm x 500mm
‘NEVERMIND’ 2014, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 500mm x 500mm
Curated by Eddie Zammit / T-World
I painted this artwork for a MAMBO x DC COMICS collab. Unfortunately due to licensing this couldn’t go ahead. Title seems fitting.
ADELIO SPACE, ERINA, CENTRAL COAST, NSW (Group Exhibition)
23 May 2014
A group show to celebrate the opening of the new Adelio Space on the Central Coast, NSW
Artworks in order -
‘ENTREE AGASSI’ 2014, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, framed, 600mm x 440mm
‘A MOUTH FULL OF PARADISE’ 2014, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 440mm x 600mm
BLACK PENNY, SURRY HILLS, NSW
28 November 2013
‘On Karma Seas’ takes you on a trip with the tides into the minds of Goon Island duo Biffy Brentano & Lee Mc. Then back to wherever you came from. A holiday spent eating colour and conversing with fruit. Using the towel of a person you don't know and dropping anchor in a mosquito friendly bar. Happy days’
Artworks in order -
‘WALK IT OFF’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 600mm x 900mm
‘SEAGULLS ARE FUCKED’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 600mm x 900mm
‘WAX & WANE’ 2013, Acrylic and colour pencil on wood board, 400mm x 600mm
‘ALL GOOD’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 400mm x 600mm
‘SUPER NATURAL FOOD LOVER’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 400mm x 600mm
‘ISLAND SMILES’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 300mm x 400mm
‘NAVIGATE YOUR FATE’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 300mm x 400mm
‘CACTUS HANDS WITH EXPOSED ROOT’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 200mm x 300mm
‘ISLAND HINTS’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 200mm x 300mm
‘TAKEN BY THE POOLSIDE’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 200mm x 300mm
‘PINEAPPLE EYES’ 2013, Acrylic and coloured pencil on wood board, 200mm x 300mm
‘FATE IN FUTURE #1’ 2013, Giclee print on 180gsm archival paper, limited edition of 5
‘FATE IN FUTURE #2’ 2013, Giclee print on 180gsm archival paper, limited edition of 5
‘FATE IN FUTURE #3’ 2013, Giclee print on 180gsm archival paper, limited edition of 5
LO-FI COLLECTIVE, DARLINGHURST, NSW (Group Exhibition)
22 August 2013
‘An exploration into the outer reaches of heroic galaxies that have sold out, given up and all but collapsed to an inevitable doom. Washed Out of the stardom and into normality.’
‘AQUAMAN & THE TAIL OF THE RANCID FISH TACO’ 2013, Acrylic on wood board, 397mm x 597mm
‘The Mexican joint in deep down town Atlantis has bad fish tacos. Never eat food underwater it's wet and becomes unpleasant. Unless of course you do so in a sub (not the sandwich -that would be soggy).’
THE TATE. GLEBE, NSW
26 June - 29 June 2013
‘Goon Island’ was the first exhibition I was apart of. I hosted it with fellow Mambo Artist at the time in Brent Smith. We worked together on graphics for Mambo and shared similarities in our art style and sense of humour so we decided to have a show. It was really fun to amp each other up each day and push each other too. I think we had a healthy rivalry when I look back. Brent would create that I was psyched on so I would try do better and vice versa I feel. It was fun time for me starting out as an artist. I showed pieces that I am still proud of today putting in many hours on each piece. The idea was to use the title to create a fictional place and the things that go on on the Island. I wrote littlew blurbs for each piece to tell a story. I really wanted to prove myself with this one. Ended up selling a most which was a bonus!
Artworks in order -
‘STRESS MAKES MESS’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 397mm x 597mm
‘FRUITY ALEXIA’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 397mm x 597mm
‘THE PLEASURE OF LEISURE’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 597mm x 397mm
‘BONG BAY BEACH SURF CLUB’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 593mm x 897mm
‘REINCARNATION’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 395mm x 295mm
‘HOLIDAYS ARE DEAD’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 593mm x 897mm
‘BOTTLED STAND-UP JET SKI’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 395mm x 295mm
‘FUTURE SKULL WITH SHEESHA’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 295mm x 395mm
‘RECYCLED GOON SACK’ 2013, Acrylic, coloured pencil, and ink on wood board, 295mm x 395mm
‘PLACES OF GOON ISLAND’ 2013, Acrylic and resin on hand carved drift wood, 745mm x 435mm
Video - Chuck Edgeworth
Music - Los Scallywaggs ‘Rum Rattle’