Was 2022 a good year for you?
After the pandemic years where there were no exhibitions and we experienced the world longest total lock-down, it was finally possible to exhibit again. Normally I have one exhibition per year, but because of the previous years, this year I did two; in each of my major markets, Sydney and Melbourne.
And perhaps most significantly, my works were acquired for Australia's most important museum collection.
What were some of the highlights in your art career?
Several works from my series, The Mirror Electric, were acquired for the permanent museum collection of Australian’s most significant collector and arts philanthropist, Judith Nielson, founder and patron of the White Rabbit Gallery.
The Mirror Electric is a satirical look at the body image dysmorphia/objectification phenomenon happening in social media. They are oil paintings on mirrored aluminium, so the viewer can see themselves in the artwork. The proportions echo an iPhone. With fluorescent backs and designed to sit parallel to and out from the wall, the ambient light interacts with the fluorescent backs to create around each a glowing digital-like halo.
Hanging in the collection alongside such artists as Ai Weiwei and Jørn Utzon, the instructions were that these paintings were; “never to be sold.”
What was the craziest thing that happened?
The most surprising thing about the pandemic years was the increase in commissioned works. I did 10 large commissions over the two years (which is about 10 more than I normally do, lol). This equated to about 11 months of work. Thus one of the two years was completely taken up with paid in-advance work.These were interspersed throughout the whole period, so it made doing two complete shows quite a challenge. I was working 6 days a a week for much of the time, and 7 days a week for about 5 months.
Did your art sell?
The majority, yes. Apart from the pre-sold commissioned works, most of the very technically innovative works sold. The more traditional works on canvas were a harder move, but the sales of theses are starting to occur.
Were you included in any shows?
In addition to the two solo shows, I participated in the Interconnected Exhibition, curated by Beautiful Bizarre Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Danijela Krha Purssey. And did a long form interview on the podcast Interview with an Artist.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
Pushing the technical innovations I made over the past couple of years into a new, even more polished direction.
Plus I have two art residencies in Thailand in February.
And most of all, its making completely new work.