Jacky Winter is pleased to present A billion frames per second — an augmented reality smattering of moving pictures. Celebrating the eye-catching and often mesmerising medium of the animated GIF, the group show marks the official launch of Gif Horse, a new Jacky Winter agency and its nine artist strong roster.

Using Augmented Reality (AR), visitors to the exhibition can unlock static content via their personal mobile device by downloading Layar - a free app available on iOS and Android devices - and scanning the prints displayed on the gallery walls to activate animated artworks on their screen.

The first GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) were introduced in the late 80s right around the time of the invention of the World Wide Web and while personal computing was still in it’s relatively formative years. At this time Apple was beginning to gain success with its range of Macintosh personal computers.

While GIFs came almost hand in hand with the development of the internet, the evolution of their use has seen a transformation from their often ornamental position in website development to a means of interpersonal communication that allows for the exchange of relatable emotions or experiences. The capabilities of current GIF technology in conjunction with the virality of GIFs as a communication tool mean the possibilities for GIFs today are endless.

A billion frames includes a retrofitted Macintosh/iPad hybrid display, a visual time loop between outdated iconic technology (and early GIFs), and the current advancements of smart phones, tablets, and the animated content we view (GIFs and AR).

Crispe aka Chris Phillips is a multidisciplinary animator, illustrator and designer from Sydney, Australia. Having developed an efficient vector style, Chris specialises in 2D character design and cutout animation. With a bit of pencil on paper, a lot of Adobe Illustrator and a hell of a lot of Adobe After Effects, he makes colourful, quirky and surprising GIFs to share online.

Ellen Porteus is a Newcastle­ -born illustrator, now based in Melbourne. She uses her bold graphic style to build colourful, surreal worlds in the form of captivating patterns. With a background in graphic design, Ellen works digitally and has a penchant for creating mind-melting GIFs.

Fashgif aka Greta Larkin taught herself how to make GIFs on a sunny afternoon in February 2011 and hasn’t taken a week off since. Focusing her craft on bringing photographs to life through detailed retouching, she’s forever looking for elements of humour, wit and surprise with every image that comes her way.

James Jirat Patradoon is a Sydney-based visual artist and illustrator who creates high octane yet playful images that remix hot pink aesthetics of 80s retro with Japanese cult anime influences, conjuring visions of a surreal bubblegum cyberpunk paradise.

Julian Frost is a Melbourne-based illustrator, animation director and game designer. His work is characterised by playfulness, (sometimes dark) humour and visual economy.

Karan Singh is a Tokyo-based artist, illustrator and animator. While he studied interaction design, the self-taught artist has focused on visual arts and illustration for the past nine years, drawing inspiration from graphic design sensibilities and op-art minimalism. His bold and vibrant work is a playful interpretation of minimalism particularly focusing on depth and dimension through pattern and repetition.

Lachlan Conn is a fine artist and commercial illustrator based in Newcastle. His background is in web and print design, he has run a number of art spaces and also played in bands. Conn regularly collaborates with Michael Prior as Chronox, to make installations, videos and performances that incorporate light, sound, movement and sculpture.

Nancy Liang is a Sydney-­ based illustrator. Her work focuses on the oft ignored night­ time tales of urban landscapes, city streets and suburbia, representing her subjects through a combination of hand drawn illustrations and paper cut­ outs, arranged as delicate dioramas. Her animated GIFs are a thing of beauty and a practice that brings Nancy great joy.

yelldesign was founded in Melbourne by Matt Willis as Australia’s first fully dedicated, production Vine/Instagram/GIF studio.