Gorman X Rhys Lee

From the Gorman X Rhys Lee collab, in stores this Friday!

From the Gorman X Rhys Lee collab. (I NEED THOSE JEANS!)

Rhys Lee and Lisa Gorman join forces!

It's no secret I am a massive fan of Lisa Gorman.  She is SURELY one of the most inspiring creative businesswomen in this vibrant city... and so effortlessly stylish too. *Sigh*.  If she weren't so nice it would be mildly infuriating. This month Lisa is up to her usual tricks, tempting my wallet like some kind of credit card whisperer, with a seriously STELLAR creative collaboration, launching this Friday! Lisa has collaborated with long time friend, artist Rhys Lee on a new limited edition range for spring. Talk about DREAM TEAM.  HOW stunning are these shots!?  Such amazing patterns and colours... that jumpsuit!  Amaze. Rhys' work is highly collectable - he's known for his distinctive colour palette of deep greys, sharp electric blues and washed out gelati hues (he loves PINK!), and for the shadowy, sometimes menacing characters he creates.  He is represented by Tim Olsen Gallery in Sydney, Utopian Slumps in Melbourne, and Jan Murphy Gallery in Brisbane. The Rhys Lee X Gorman collaboration is available in Gorman stores this FRIDAY Sept 6th!  Get on it people. Here is a very sweet little convo between Lisa and Rhys which explains their mutual affection and the origin of this little collab! -

Rhys asks Lisa!

Lisa I’m a new dad! Any advice I haven’t heard already?

From all accounts, it gets easier, then it might get quite shocking I hear. I’m currently in the easier phase I’m told, but bracing myself for the future. I’m sure it’s all a myth, right?

How many Rhys Lee's do you have in your own art collection?

Fifteen to be precise. Three are from the very first show at Fat 52 in 1999, paint on wood, small but mad. The most iconic one we have is the green dog. It sits on the wall at the end of our dining table and has been the topic of great debate as to whether it is in fact: a) a dog or a wolf b) smiling or yawning? My favourite is what I call the Owl, which I’ve since found out is a horse. It’s that raw, unbleached, slubby oatmeal coloured linen that makes colour look brilliant. Then there is the one I call Jesus, that you painted on paper with your left hand in NYC when your right hand was plastered. One of the dearest to heart is the painting of a green girl with a long nose, pink bow in hair and candy pink frame - the one you gave our daughter Pepa when she was born.

Is there room for more?

Yes, as soon as we have some more walls.

Do you want to do a painting collaboration with me?

Now there’s an idea RL. Let’s paint something!

Lisa asks Rhys!

What’s your favourite colour?

It all depends on application. For paintings... pink, for clothes... grey

Why did you move to Aireys Inlet? Will you ever inhabit the big smoke again do you think?

I moved to Airey’s Inlet after returning from New York at the end of 2009. I wanted some bush & ocean to cleanse the soul. I’m surrounded by the Otway forest and a view of the lighthouse... it’s a nice part of the world! I might go back to the smoke & haze one day...

Is the green dog smiling or yawning? (Actually don’t tell me...)

Yawning...

Do you ever mess up one of those big enormous canvases and have to start again?

I just keep painting until it’s done. One painting could have been five different paintings, but I keep going til it’s the painting I’m looking for.

What happens when you paint something once, then it ends up on 100 pieces of clothing?

Well this is the first time this has happened so we will have to wait and see...

AMAZING jumpsuit from the Gorman X Rhys Lee collab, in stores this Friday!