Some comments since you asked.
The overall look is minimalist, which as you declare is deliberate...on that score, it works as you aimed.
The shout box being on the left on the front page I find distracting. Things like that offer a secondary function at best, so shouldn't clutter the important "where's the menu/options" eye line on the left IMHO
The menu being "top left but not quite" means it gets lost on first impression. The design looks like the menu ought to be found down the left hand side. It works once you spot the menu, but it doesn't shout usability. I can see that the idea is primary menu at the top, secondary menu at the left, but the shout on the home page confuses this as it's not a menu - it's a function.
The grey text on grey background will infuriate some viewers - remember that not everyone has 20/20 eye sight.
On the same score, you've "fixed" the font sizes which means that people can't express a preference over font size. This size might suit your screen/video settings/eyes, but web browsers are designed to let the view control how things are rendered...a good design will adapt to people preferences by scaleing the different regions to fit.
Other than that, I think the design holds up. Despite the comments above I think it works and looks OK and delivers on what you've set out to do...and I like the work exhibited in the gallery bit too
