Next along the sideshow alley was Flashing Heads, by Samuel Tupou, - extra large cut out heads framed by small flashing lights – named Sideshow Bob, Ludo Eyes & Hammy Davis Jr…. filling a space with their dramatic yet humourous qualities.

Emma Angerson’s images of Bamaga Carnival, brought you straight onto that carnival ride – Spinning, circling, twisting lights, the screams of the waiting watching crowds left you feeling unstable as if you had just come unstuck and were once again trying to find your legs.

Kane Raybould – Fred the Baddy and illustrated ‘Offspring of the Bastard’ gave you the eerie impression of the life behind the fairy floss, the fluffy lambs, and laughing clowns. When you step behind the rides and see the Carney folk in all their criminality. Keep it in the family.
Big Bertha vs. the Elasto - The bearded lady and other freaky friends – the very family and offspring we call the show, performing for our entertainment and laughs.

Simon Poole brought us Royal Slide Show and Spy Show. The Queen and Mr. Bean came all dressed up in lights. He played the decoy, luring you to the small, seemingly inconspicuous mirror - as you picked at your nose and fixed your hair, you had no idea who was looking at you. At the other end of the alley came hoards of laughter from the voyeurs standing ‘round about the spy cam draped in velvet. Where once you walked up to the magic mirror and saw yourself distorted – now others are watching you in a state of odd reality.

Charles Street brought us beautiful haunting, milky images of various carnivals printed on silk screen. Untitled - a respite through the cavalcade of colour and madness. A picnic spot under a shady tree.

Neil Parker- Three Individual works as a set – Don’t Lose Me, Yum Yum & Help. 2 pack acrylic paint on Perspex – with a secret touch. Taken from Neil’s own memories of going to the show with his mum and dad as a kid - spends in his pocket money he’d saved, money from Grandpa and Grandma. Everything is so big, bright & colourful, a bit scary & a bit loud. Sounds and stalls whooshing past as he’s tossed around the waltzers with his Daddy sayin’ “You’ll be alright son – it’s not that scary.” A real portrayal of a kid being at the show with his pyjamas under his clothes.

Nicola Bryars – and– Afrika Alive - drawing people in, enticing them to stick their heads in her peep show, freak show windows. Drawing back the curtains you become part of the exhibition. As you look through to the back wall seeing pictures of African tribal culture and beautification threaded on belts made of skins and pelts. These people, with their lip rings and zebra neck rings, would have been considered freaks in an 18th century Victorian Sideshow. Though they may have been considered freaks Nicola feels they were artists. The fascination with distortions of the body – mutilation, branding & scarification are still prevelant today. Are you tattooed? Are you pierced? Are you a freak?

Daniel Walwork brought some prize winning cows. One was blue, the rest were red. The blue one with the blue ribbon won. Moo.

Making your way to the centre of the show brings you to the Freak Show Carousel by Ingrid Turner…a spinning display case documenting historical freaks and famous images. A bizarre, twisted look at the characters that once upon a time created the original madness behind the Show.

the UPHOLSTERY Side show bags - filled with ‘adult art tools’ – nappies in a range of sizes, erectoscopes (????), limited edition mini art works, stubby coolers and lollipops were an extra treat.

Multimedia postdiscs (the modern-day postcard), provided by Gabrielle Cooney – displayed a range of previous the Upholstery artworks ready for international distribution.

There was nothing left untouched. It was magical. The punters revelled in an environment built for fun. Laughter, smiles, amazement and absurdity….
What the hell will they do next?

Next exhibition - Check out www.theupholstery.com

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