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Meadows in Bambra

Acrylic on Board

A4 2033

There’s been several occasions in my time spent in Melbourne where the time I’ve spent with people outside of the city in the country, or by the coast. It’s really helped with the burnout from the big smoke.

I’m motivated to document these moments where I’m able to connect with friends and talk about life, normally after a jozza. These times feel like positive moments recorded, something new

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"Manifesting queer socialisation"

Acrylic and Pastel on Plywood

60 cm x 60 cm

Manifesting community, friends to hang with, lovers to grow from.

To give and the share

I manifest these, as I crave love, whilst I fear sinking into the depths through the slow vacuum of isolation.

I am explorative. I am open. I am grateful

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“Socialisation”

Ink on canvas

2019

I started getting back into painting after a hiatus due to graduating high school and moving interstate. The culture shock from a small beach town to a multicultural city rich in food, arts and population. Naturally I was overstimulated and isolated like a Virgo until my thoughts and emotions settled.

I wanted to depict that abrupt sensation as I analysed individuals and the connections themselves in public spaces. It made me ponder how often people mingle with others and the fascination of genuine human nature and it’s dependence on social interaction.

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Waiting on a wish

Acrylics, Ink and Pastels on Canvas

2022

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3 part series as an exploration through identity using blurring and glitching techniques to contort the human figure into an unrecognisable entity. I am ever changing, I am everything and nothing all at once. I am an experience

Photo ink printed on watercolour paper

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“Jealousy”

50 x 90 cm

Mixed Media on canvas

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“Players in a Park”

50 x 160 cm

Ink, Water Colour, Oil Pastels on canvas

2021-2022

I’ve never worked with colour blue so intensely before. This canvas became an exploration of space and dimension upon a 2D surface. I wanted to romanticise the queer experience of “cruising” and the emotional repercussions that arise when participating. A lot of the foundations of my works are similar in sense as they revolve around aspects of communication, socialisation and relationships.

Cruising isn’t for everyone, though It is often an experience for men cis or trans to explore their sexualities often in mundane environments popularised during the day whilst becoming a “Beat” during the night. Not all cruising is toxic, and with practise it can be very beneficial to self discovery.

I hope to continue involving queer social practises into my art as well as depicting them holistically with minimal bias

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“Aiga”

Acrylic Paint, Textured Paint, Posca Paint

40 x 80 cm

2021

I was very young when I gained consciousness of the authoritative and manipulative dynamics within my immediate family. My mum moved from Perth to the mid north coast of NSW where we grew up for a better life. Establishing my brother and I into small country town. If it wasn’t for the rich and protected culture of the Gumbaynggirr peoples that was taught within my school, I don’t think my brother and I would have been able to understand the significance of understanding where one comes from. My brother and I being very white passing, yearned for our own cultural understandings with our Samoan heritage with little accessibility.

This work was a process dedicated to my Tinamatua (nana) as I had been planning to visit prior to the pandemic and the lockdown Victoria faced as a state. Despite never getting the chance to reunite with her before her passing, within my work , I attempt to connect with her and my cultural learnings within Samoan culture

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“A day at the beach”

20 x 30 cm

Acrylic Paint and Posca Ink on Canvas Board

2021

I took narcotics on a beach once with my friends and we spent the day painting, swimming and smoking, throughout the process this felt like the first time I’d reduced the restrictions I subconsciously place upon myself when deciding on a concept and placement. I’ve never painted like this in my life and with each additional brushstroke, I was begging to expand my perception of ego as a artist.

Rough layering along with a vague definition of background to foreground creates a claustrophobic atmosphere on the small scaled canvas. Four figures can be depicted bundled and off centred as the coupled paired in the foreground reflect on their significance within the world. Neon line work is used to carve and define impressions of the human experience, exploring aspects of love.