+ ART/DESIGN: EVERFRESH - NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA (NGV) STUDIO RESIDENCY

I'm a bit slow on the uptake with this but Melbourne art collective Everfresh recently won the four-grew graffiti competition run by the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). As part of their prize Everfresh have been given a 1 month residency at the NGV Studio. At the end of their stay they will also be throwing an event to showcase the work that they have completed over the course of the residency. Everfresh do some really (excuse the pun) 'fresh' stuff, so if you're in Melbourne head on down to Federation Square to check out what they're up to. Everfresh at NGV Studios runs from the 10th June 8th July 2011. To see more of the Everfresh crews work or to find out more information including details on the residency showcase head on over to their website at everfreshstudio.com. Teaser video and event flyer after the jump.

+ ART/DESIGN: MAX100 - THE BOOK PROJECT

Illustrator Matt Stevens is putting together this really awesome book project called "MAX 100" featuring the iconic Nike Air Max 90 sneaker. The idea for the book started after Stevens decied to create a sketch of what he believed was the perfect pair of Nike Air Max sneakers. Not satisfied with the one interpretation of the sneaker the idea snowballed until Stevens had sketched over 60 versions of the Air Max. Now Stevens is hoping to turn his sketches into an art book which will feature 100 of his custom Air Max sketches. In order to produce and print the book Stevens need some funding and has teamed up with Kickstarter (a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists and inventors) to raise the required funds. People can buy pledges at different levels and in return will receive MAX100 products determined by their pledge amont which range from copies of the book and canvas prints right up to a live speaking engagement from Matt himself. So if you want to help this project see the light of day head over to the Kickstarter.com website where you can make a pledge of your own. Check out the project promo video and full image gallery after the jump.

+ ART/DESIGN: GREG HERVIEUX x ATELIER PALOMARES GOLD SKATEBOARD

Greg Hervieux has designed a skateboard deck which I can only describe as utterly ridiculous... ridiculously awesome! Hervieux has joined forces with the people at l’Atelier Antoine PALOMARES to create a custom skateboard deck covered completely in 22 carat gold leaf. Yes, you heard right 22 carat gold leaf! Any thoughts of actually trying to skate this deck should be put out of your mind completely with the deck coming enclosed in a plexiglass box to help prevent damage to the board through oxidation, so forget about even touching it. If you do want to grab yourself one these solid gold skateboards you better get cracking because they are producing a super limited run of five units and each one will set you back €1490.00 ($2145.00 USD). If the price hasn't put you off contact BKRW at info@bkrw.com to order a deck. Check out the full image gallery of this crazy skateboard after the jump.

+ MEDIA: JR - WOMEN ARE HEROES (DUCKS SELECTIONS #1)

Yes the long awaited and highly anticipated first Ducks Selection is finally here! So the duck brought my attention to this street artist by the name of "JR" who does some really cool stuff. I'm not sure how I haven't heard of him before but many consider him to be one of the most prominent street artists around. At the beginning of this year he released his film "Women Are Heroes" which examines some of harshest conditions overseas to learn about the power of women. This is some really powerful stuff and is definitely worth a look. So check out the Kibera, Kenya video after the jump (if you're lazy and don't want to watch the intro stuff go to the 0:40 mark) as well as the full "Women Are Heroes" trailer and a few examples of JR's other work. If you want to know more about the film head over to the Women Are Heroes website for more information. Alternatively if you just want to check out some more of JR's other work for yourself you can see more at his website or stay tuned to the blog because I'll be covering some more of JR's work as part of the Ducks Selections in the coming weeks.