Rehgan De Mather – Busy Playing Art

In my journey through the inner and even more so now the outer sanctum of the Melbourne EDM scene I have met so many amazing artists. Musically gifted souls who can turn a blank screen on Abelton come alive, Awe inspiring DJ’s who can beat juggle three open 1200mk2’s whilst balancing a pint of lager in one hand and a note in the other. You can turn any corner behind any DJ booth and find a myriad of talented or semi talented turntable, abeltonist’s.

One of the things about finding musical talent is it’s easy to find. You can lead a horse to water and you can lead a punter to a brilliant band or musical performer by simply rocking up to “The Espy” or “Loop” (maybe next Saturday?). For me some of the people who have impressed me ever more so than musicians, have been the souls that I have met out in the crowd, some of them doing truly what makes them happy. Thus leading me to the main premise of this article, by far and away one of the most humble talents I have ever met in my life.

I first heard of Rehgan De Mather in 2006, when a former housemate had a piece of his hanging ever so aptly above his turntables. To be honest I looked at it and registered a little interest in it. I was fed the time old story ” I know the artist.” so similar to back in the day “I know the DJ/producer.” I studied the canvas a little further and began to appreciate the time it would have taken, once you know o f a personal connection you tend to appreciate things a little better. From then on I would hear intermittent stories of Rehgan’s growing success, how if anything this piece would one day be worth a lot of money. It took a further four years before I would meet Rehgan properly, I think on the dance floor at Rainbow Serpent during an Opiou set. He was hanging out with two people I knew, who I didn’t realize were good friends with him. After being introduced to him, the penny dropped, the stars aligned and my slightly askew bush doofed memory recalled in unison my housemates painting. We chatted for the better half of Opiou’s set, I have admired his art from afar and also had the pleasure of playing at a charity gig he organised. However Rehgan and I aren’t your type cast Facebook “friends” – we have chatted for hours and hours on facebook regarding his art, music, the snow and everything in between. It also turned out that my father was his wife’s boss at one point. I consider him a good friend and I was honored to be invited to attend his latest Exhibition, showcasing his latest body of work, M N M L V M X M L @ Gallery 577.

To meet Rehgan and chat with him is not what you’d expect from an artist who from early on his career has had smoke blown up his ring about how fantastic he is. In fact it’s almost like the smoke is a haze in front of him and once you throw down your presumptions of artists and talk to him, you realize he’s sitting well behind the haze, unassumingly humble, not choking on the caustic intoxication of appraisal. He is someone who, regardless of paint bush, spray can, street sign or even words, can easily portray himself. It would be a shallow outlet if what he felt inside was not represented in his art. In fact the most amazing thing about Rehgan is that through the last fifteen years the mojo that drive’s the inspiration is still as ever fresh as it was in high school. A love for what he is doing.

What I especially love about Rehgan is how he sees himself in his own eyes. His webpage is called “Busy playing Art” and that name has always stuck with me. It’s such a valid representation of how he view’s what he does and his approach to his outlet. Tongue in cheek? most definitely. Are you a painter? “No I am an artist” no different than that DJ over there or that street performer. His working style pretty much says it all. Four to six canvas’s all at once, on the fly. How does he feel today? Where is his work going to take him? Nothing is thrown out either, anything that has been expressed on canvas can be re-digested, an old painting cut up and re applied. My favourite piece of the night, a portrait of his wife Emily was in fact originally a spot patch canvas for cleaning the nozzles of the spray. So since the age of twelve when he first designed his parents new house complete with bowling alley. To right now an artist clearly defining his purpose in the sphere. It’s all about the love, just like a DJ for music. And whilst he currently works full time, everything he does is to paving a career where he is happiest, behind the canvas.

I’m no art critic, I just heard all of your jaws drop, so to say that I can cover this article with any professional integrity is about as relevant as me mentioning Whitney Houston right now. But I know what I like and I can only comment on what I saw. “M N M L V M X M L” definitely showcases a maturity in his work since the first time I saw an end product of his. More so his life pre and post wedding, award winning prizes in hand and “everything in its place” feeling overtakes every piece. He assured me that this time in his life has been the busiest he has ever known. That his life currently needs a break ad that he can’t wait for his honeymoon. This is not representative of his work. M N M L V M X M L is a calm and fluent display of talent, showcasing control in the face of grinding 9 to 5 to do what you love. Mainly portrait based with a few murals and showcase canvases, the body of work is all interlinked, not just by brush stroke or can tilt, the bold bright colours, or crisp black on white counter pieces. It is indeed linked by the comfort found in each piece, not by the viewer in looking, but by the artist in doing. This exhibition displays an ever growing decadence and structure to Rehgan’s talent. What’s more, every part of himself, his wife and his friends is on display and it is clear to see he is enjoying life. But more so enjoying being “Busy playing Art”. What’s more I fear that the best is yet to come.

You can see Rehgan’s work on display at:
M N M L V M X M L @ 577 Brunswick St. Fitzroy North. Thursday Friday 12-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 12-5pm

Further info:
http://busyplayingart.wordpress.com/
http://Gallery577.com

 Words by Taran M