MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE EXHIBITION

What a time to be a Transformers fan!  With the Rise of the Beasts movie to hit cinemas in two months, it seems promotional events are happening left, right and centre!

Wednesday night saw the VIP Opening Night for the Transformers: More than Meets the Eye art exhibition at King’s Comics.

Promotional Blurb: Radio Velvet, Kings Comics and Hasbro, a global branded entertainment leader, are pleased to present Transformers: More than Meets the Eye – a world-exclusive exhibition, celebrating the incredible universe of Transformers, through the eyes of its fans and collectors, plus, six acclaimed artists.

Being everyones favorite exhibitionist,  Big Angry Trev  was invited along to the exclusive VIP opening night of the exhibition, and what an exhibition it was!

King’s Comics and Radio Velvet went all out in setting up a dedicated space for this exhibition.  The floors, walls and even stairs were covered in Transformers art.  Sniff… it felt like coming home.

The Floor
The Stairs

The Walls

 

Toy Exhibitors

Along the outer walls were display cabinets full of Transformer products, classic and new.  Cabinets were set up by Hasbro, Lobos Collectables and even Kings Comics themselves.

Kings Comics Display
Hasbro Display
Lobos Collectables Display

In what was a wonderful nod to the part the fandom plays within the Transformers brand, several prominent Australian collectors were invited to display parts of their personal collections.  Jason Murray’s display, along with his huge collection of Transformers pins, was enough to make the most hardcore fan drool.  Lisamaree Chiu’s highly impressive collection of Optimus Prime’s from multiple Transformer continuities showed how the character has changed and evolved over the years. Kelvin Chan, as well as helping set up the comic display for Lobos Collectables, devoted much of his own display to the work of late Australian artist Andrew Sorohan.  Kings Comics employee Scott Sheens had a wide and varied display, including a wonderful cityscape made up of G1 figures.

Display by Jason Murray
Display by Lisamaree Chiu
So many Optimus!
Display by Kelvin Chan
Display by Scott Sheens

A couple of fans even got to present multiple cabinets. Michael Vella’s multitude of Bumblebee’s, many of them quite rare, were very eye catching.  And there wasn’t a fan present that didn’t contemplate what it would be like to own his showing of sealed G2 Stunticons!  Ben Keenan had an incredible display of different Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime toys, and a collection of boxed G1 figures that would bring a joyful tear to the eye of the most hardcore Geewunner.

Bumblebee’s by Michael Vella
Various by Michael Vella
Hot Rod display by Ben Keenan
Boxed G1 display by Ben Keenan

All the fans putting on displays were in attendance at this VIP event.  This meant that guests could ask questions about individual pieces and added that extra delight to the proceedings.  And for the exhibitors, they got the thrill of rubbing shoulders with local Transformers royalty – lucky ducks!

Lisamaree & Big Angry Trev
Jason Murray and Big Angry Trev both point to their personal idol
Michael Vella & Ben Keenan with expressions of joy and awe – both appropriate responses

 

Meet the Artists

Of course, it would hardly be an art exhibition without artists.  Running down the centre of the room were huge bio’s of each artist, giving an insight both into their art and the artists themselves.

 

For young and young at heart

Something I have personally loved is that both the Roar & Snore Beasts Base Camp and the VIP Art Opening event were accessible not only by the invited adult fans, but children too.  My son Orion adored being able to stay overnight at the zoo, and felt like a celebrity when the friendly Hasbro staff at the art show all recognised him from The Transformatorium video and helped ensure he had a wonderful time!  Thank you to Doublejump Communications too for helping to coordinate such fantastic events!

Father, son & Optimus at Roar & Snore
Father, son & Optimus at Art Exhibition

 

The More than Meets the Eye Exhibition will be on display at Kings Comics from the 6th to the 30th of April.  I highly recommend even the most causal Transformers fan take the opportunity to visit and become entranced by what is truly an enriching experience.  Full credit to curator Eddie Zammit, he’s put on a heck of a show!

Have you been yet to see this awesome exhibition?  Tell us about it in the comments section below!

2 thoughts on “MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE EXHIBITION”

  1. Some of those displays are fantastic. The art looks great too but I’d rather a visit to a place that had a whole bunch of Transformers on display. If only such a place existed…

    Great write up Trev. Looks like it is worth checking out.

  2. Those displays are SO COOL! You’ve convinced me
    To go up and have look next week! Will be great to see a set of MOSC G2 Stunticons!

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