Eclectica
Duo exhibition · Field Trip Gallery, Brisbane · 2024
Eclectica is a great way to describe 2024! I was involved in several group shows and a couple of solo exhibitions, Intersections, at Field Trip Gallery in Brisbane, and an online solo through Plexus Gallery, Sleepers Awake. The year continued my investigation into physics, meditation and universal structure, but also the nature of identity, consciousness, and the permeable boundary between self and world, themes that I found reflected in literature, particularly in sections of Ulysses, by James Joyce.
“Ineluctable modality of the visible: at least that if no more, thought through my eyes. Signatures of all things I am here to read…” - James Joyce
Eclectica
Modalities of the Visible Self
Acrylic on Canvas, 2025
97 x 97cm
Modalities of the Visible Self, limited edition print
Archival ink on Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Pearl 290gsm paper, 2024
Edition of 5 in each of 2 sizes
Modalities of the Visible Self is a self-portrait inspired by the opening lines of the Proteus chapter in James Joyce’s Ulysses, reflecting on spiritual alternatives to physical sight and whether the world vanishes when unobserved, echoing Einstein’s musings on whether the moon disappears when not seen. In meditation, we close our eyes to ‘see’ the world and our connection to it more clearly. For me, this painting explores the intersections between our inner and outer realities, our perception, and consciousness.
The opening night of Eclectica, and duo exhibition with Sona Babajanyan at Field Trip Gallery in Paddington, Brisbane.
Anthropic Universe
Acrylic on Canvas, 2024
97 x 97cm
Anthropic Universe explores the physics concept that only a universe capable of developing observers can be observed. Most research points to the sheer improbability of our universe supporting any life at all.
Like most of my work, this painting holds half-seen subtle images. A sleeping figure of dormant consciousness emerges from the centre, a city suggested at the edge of creation, civilisation teetering on the brink of the known and the unknowable.
The early mornings are my favourite times for painting, though I sometimes end up wearing my painting robe all day!
Dark Roses
My studio occasionally fills with flowers...
After the Eclectica exhibition, I had a solo show booked for November at Field Trip, and had planned to continue with the work around physics and possible histories of the universe, but then a friend gave me five beautiful, deep red roses a month or so before the show. I was so captivated by the way the colour and light of the flower seemed to be trying to escape the bloom’s velvety darkness that I immediately started five paintings about them.
Various roses in preparation for Intersections, the November exhibition.
Sleepers Awake
Sleepers Awake was an online solo exhibition through Plexus Gallery, gathering the Sleep series into a coherent presentation for one of that galleries last shows. Sleep has always fascinated me, from childhood memories where the dream world has often been confused with true memories to the troubled sleep of a busy adult mind. It's our daily imaginary journey to the spirit world.
I founded Plexus Art Gallery with Sona Babajanyan and ran it from 2020 to 2024. It was an innovative and timely business model, but ultimately, both Sona and I really prefer to spend our time making art rather than running an external business.
Intersections
Friends enjoying a conversation at the opening of my solo exhibition, Intersections, late in 2024
Intersections was actually three artists holding solo exhibitions together at Field Trip Gallery, late in 2024
Various roses in preparation for Intersections, the November exhibition.