Tokens. A blog by Artist David Wills.

Roaming. Koala on King.

2012-05-23T08:41:00.000+10:00

Poor koala. Locked in a King St shopfront with just a potted palm for company.

Roaming. Heaven.

2012-05-22T08:28:00.000+10:00

I'm not sure I need to say anything about number nine. Silk, the King St Hotel, Travelodge, McDonald's, Market Town and reportedly the largest KFC in the southern hemisphere are all nearby establishments, no doubt roaring trade ensues.

Roaming. Merewether.

2012-05-21T09:22:00.000+10:00

A stunning autumn day in beautiful Merewether is certainly something to miss.

Pie Report. Camel Adventure.

2012-05-20T09:12:00.003+10:00

I should have known I was in for trouble by the pained smile on the pie seller's face. My adventurous spirit selected a camel pie from Fredo's bain-marie at Coolongolook — the location should have been a giveaway. It's safe to say this pie was one of the blandest ever reviewed here, and at $5 it was a steep price to pay for something resembling wet dog biscuits. I'm also at a loss as to why Fredo Pies — famous for their crocodile pies — use Marilyn as a mascot. Any answers?

Camel

1.00 Pastry
0.50 Filling
0.50 Tastiness
2.00 Structure
1.00 Value

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED | 1.00

Roaming. Farm Life.

2012-05-14T07:30:00.000+10:00

Today's post is a list. A list of some of the cows named by my folks on their little farm out west: Daisy, Heidi, Sally, Nicole, Gemma, Sadie, Annie, Licourice (sic), Mumma, Red, Caramel, Kate, Iris, Pearl, Mia, Shirley, Edna, Taurus, Rex, Olive, Jedda, Blackie, Rosie, Maizie, Derek, Bess, Trixie, Angel, Cloey (sic), Elvis, Hannah, Marsha, Lucy, Fred, Wilma, Queenie, Anzac, Judas and Sam.

Mulch. Mother's Day.

2012-05-13T07:50:00.000+10:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, especially my own.

Roaming. Decisions.

2012-05-12T08:00:00.000+10:00

A uniquely Novocastrian juxtaposition of irresistible signs just off Hunter Street Mall.

Glossy. Horsing Around.

2012-05-11T07:49:00.002+10:00

Maurizio Cattelan's cover for New York magazine confirms his status as one of the more intriguing artists on the planet. And funny too. I've mentioned his magazine Toiletpaper before; I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Blink. Hiroshi & Sid.

2012-05-08T07:30:00.000+10:00

Hiroshi (left) watched Newcastle Harbour pass from the safety of the heavily graffitied Telarah train. His fashion hues were soft: beige pants, beige spring coat, pale yellow shirt capped off by light silver hair, which made his big black bushy eyebrows stand out. As Hiroshi sat quietly, fussy Sid (right) was pacing the length of the train eager to find a seat, poking his umbrella at possible options.

Roaming. Pep Up.

2012-05-07T10:30:00.001+10:00

Mother's Day is not far away, but it seems that every day is a Mother day on the streets of Newcastle.

Roaming. Needlework.

2012-05-05T10:23:00.002+10:00

One of Newcastle's charms is its quirky shopfronts. The often desolate Hunter St is home to Stereo Needles (pictured), a restaurant called Il Volcano with a suitably decorated interior, and a shop for collectors decorated outside with portraits of The Beatles.

Mulch. The Design Files.

2012-04-30T07:57:00.001+10:00

The Novocastrian Files are reporting that The Design Files are in town, and I'm sure the locals welcome you! So do we at This Is Ikon, we're always keen to see what The Design Files have on their radar.

Mixtape. 50 Words for Snow.

2012-04-29T09:34:00.001+10:00

Kate Bush has been creating perfect pop moments since the 1970s, each one more ambitious than the previous. Kate's captivating 50 Words for Snow is no exception to that rule and is on high rotation here providing a perfect soundscape for cool grey days. Stephen Fry's kooky contribution works, oddly, with Elton John's appearance on Snowed In At Wheeler St charming – and I'm not an Elton fan. Like many in the 1980s I was fixated on Kate's music and videos, particularly Sat In Your Lap with Kate on Skates in dunce cap – that clip was as transfixing for me as Nina Hagen's Smack Jack. Kate's 50 Words for Snow is the perfect way to welcome in a lazy Sunday.

Pinboard. Shenzhen Lurker.

2012-04-28T09:00:00.000+10:00

Three new Lurker covers are currently in production. This one is the first of them taken in Shenzhen late last year. Who said double denim doesn't work?

Flipfactor. Toxic Love Story.

2012-04-27T08:30:00.000+10:00

Susan Freinkel's Plastic, A Toxic Love Story is a riveting read about plastic and its effects. I found Susan's well researched portrayal of plastic hard to put down, and at times I was bewildered at how an educated society can seemingly not care about the impact this material is having on life. Albatrosses are one of many animals affected by a material that is all too often disposed of without thought. Susan's in depth account of various objects including cash cards, combs, monoblocs and bottles, but particularly the ubiquitous cigarette lighter, had my head in a spin. And then there is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Highly recommended.

Mulch. The Three Bears.

2012-04-26T09:00:00.000+10:00

Sifting through the various collections in my studio – if you come back I'll tell you about others – I stumbled on a few old cards which I found in some magazines picked up in an op shop. The Three Bears is an old favourite, but I'm a little sketchy on just how baby bear's grandparents can be a pigs.

Roaming. Lest We Forget.

2012-04-25T09:26:00.003+10:00

The Salvation Army's window displays regularly display flair and creativity in their design. Both the Wallsend and Hunter St stores colour code their shop fronts weekly, while others devote their displays to current events with a certain panache. When I lived in Canberra, the Belconnen outlet often caught my eye; this is the Salvo's Anzac Day 2007 display with mirror balls just out of view. As a side note, people love Belconnen, which formed the basis of Lee Grant's heart-warming Belco Pride series.

Roaming. Bridal Precinct.

2012-04-23T14:30:00.000+10:00

On the strip between Civic and Wickham, Newcastle's once thriving Hunter St is home to blushing brides-to-be, brothels and artists. I've always been slightly amused that the bridal precinct could be located so close to the pleasure dens, the likely last destination of bucks nights. In full public view, this mural suggests where precinct borderlines meet.

Blink. Heng & Edward.

2012-04-22T12:25:00.003+10:00

Heng looked down as the tourists aboard Hong Kong's Star Ferry gasped at the stellar view before them. Heng's attention seemed to be at his feet while wide-eyed Edward's was directed at the approaching light show. His hair style referenced Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. WHMK944THHMA

First 13. Maitland Jail.

2012-04-22T10:30:00.000+10:00

As a non sufferer of triskaidekaphobia, the number thirteen doesn't bother me at all. I find it rather amusing that people change their house number to 11A or 15A, that some streets skip thirteen as a number altogether or that some buildings are without a thirteenth floor. Though the number four is feared in Chinese culture, people of eccentric persuasion are said to be at 'thirteen o'clock' which is rather fun. The Reception Cell at the former Maitland Jail is numbered thirteen, and I doubt fun was ever an option. 666 seems more apt.

Mulch. Psychic Cheryl.

2012-04-21T10:29:00.003+10:00

The infamous Maitland Jail closed in 1998 but has since found a revenue source in themed tours. My skeptic friends and I went to the Psychic Tour hosted by a woman called Cheryl, who not only promised a reading or two at the end, but that we'd see orbs in our photos. I've checked my photos – though Cheryl referred to them as 'photas' – this morning, and I'm sad to say there is not an orb in sight. Nevertheless, the journey into the jail was fascinating, though not spooky. Cheryl relayed story after story as we trudged through the dank buildings, where it became evident to us that our host and fellow tourists may well be subscribers of The Daily Telegaff. Needless to say, my arty gang and I stuck out like sore thumbs despite the dark depths of our surroundings. I was expecting a more chilling experience, particularly when we entered the section where Ivan Milat spent time; I'm reminded of Cathy Laudenbach's Belanglo State Forest series. Was it worth the $30? Maybe.

Roaming. Not Quite Hollywood.

2012-04-16T09:00:00.000+10:00

The comparisons between Hollywood and Newcastle are near non-existant, aside from a need for a car to get around. Public transport in Newcastle is woeful, which is a shame considering the extensive tram network that was once in place. But I digress, Trevor Dickinson's transformation of the city continues. Since his exhibition at the Lock-up in 2011, Trevor has painted murals all over the city bringing a vibrancy to some worn out areas. Is he on the council's payroll one wonders. The image above can be found outside the Newcastle Museum near Civic station. But if you want a real treat, track down his post box prints. They're terrific fun.

Mixtape. Leave Them All Behind IV.

2012-04-15T08:28:00.000+10:00

Modular's latest Leave Them All Behind (LTAB) sees the Bag Raiders at the helm. LTAB number four is a fluid mix of housey disco tracks providing a consistent groove for early morning parties. When compered with LTAB I, II & III's vibrant, party starting indie/rock tracks, IV's energy is subdued, perfect for long nights on cool club dance floors. I could say that's a shame as unexpected clashes of sounds and bands is what I've come to expect from LTAB, which is less obvious on this offering. Nevertheless, Modular delivers another worthy chapter, one that Bag Raiders fans will love.

Roaming. Impending.

2012-04-13T07:59:00.000+10:00

The view from Callaghan station never looked better. Despite just missing the train – the next one would be along in forty minutes – my mood was lifted by the full moon in the distance and the bustle of the coal trains behind me.

Doodler. Winter Mode.

2012-04-12T07:52:00.001+10:00

An old issue of Virgin's Voyeur inflight magazine has provided treats in the past including Tokens' first post. Winter is warming up in the southern hemisphere which should see a reduction of garish board shorts on the streets. That said, guys in Newcastle seem to still wear their luridly coloured shorts on the coldest days teamed with hoodies and ugh boots to keep warm.