Monster Children’s Picks From Sydney Contemporary
Yesterday we got to sneak into the Sydney Contemporary before the crowds to view some of some of the 85 galleries representing over 400 artists from Australia and around the world.
To say we were impressed is an understatement. There was one piece of art in particular that I really, really wanted which also just happened to be the price of my entire savings balance. My mum taught me that if I wanted something it was always best to sit on it for a week before buying but I just know this piece of art is going to sell and I’ll be dreaming of it for the rest of my life. I can’t tell you why, out of the hundreds of pieces of work, this was the one that I gravitated towards the most but it was incredible, moving and all the right colours. I guess that’s why art is so special because everyone loves different things but the difficulty in articulating why is the part that we have in common. While we aren’t art critics by any stretch of the imagination, we are definitely trying to lean into our art side a little more lately at Monster Children - and this is our pick of the artists, both emerging and established, that stood out.
I looked at this painting and saw myself in it which I think is one of the most beautiful things you can do as an artist. There’s probably a better intro for Diena but I’ll leave you with that. Starkwhite also known as 1301SW is a Melbourne based with sister galleries in Auckland and LA, hence the 1301SW name.
Shirley Purdie - Olsen Gallery
Shirley Purdie has been painting for over twenty years and is recognised as one of Australia’s significant Indigenous painters. She is a part of the Warmun Community, in Western Australia's Kimberley region and is represented by Olsen Gallery in Woollahra, NSW.
Jonathon is a six time Archibald finalist and one of Australia’s most sought after contemporary artists. His works are metaphor rich and damn right impressive. Nanda Hobbs is a commerical art gallery in Chippendale, NSW.
A constant fixture on the Australian art scene since the 1980's, Jon Campbell is an iconic pop artist to say the least. Not me liking this work particularly because it says Sam at the top. Darren Knight Gallery also happens to be just down the road from our office in Waterloo - so gotta give them some neighbourly love.
Kait James is a Wadawurrung artist living and working in Melbourne mixing textile, embroidery and colour to explore identity, perception and our knowledge of Australia’s Indigenous communities. Representing her is Neon Parc Gallery - a Melbourne beauty.
We interviewed Saxon earlier this year which you can read here - so it was lovely to finally put a face to these incredible works. We had a great chat about tall poppy syndrome, how the cost of living affects mid level artists the most and how his mentor across the hall Jordan Kerwick just sold a piece for $250,000. Represented by Saint Cloche - a Paddington favourite of the contemporary art world.
Lachlan Stonehouse - Five Walls Gallery
Lachlan Stonehouse is an emerging artist who uses the woven grid form to create optical rhythms and repetitive patterns in colours that are sure to brighten up any space they adorn. Born in Tasmania, this is Lachlan’s debut at an art fair. Representing him is Five Walls Gallery - an independent commercial gallery from Melbourne focusing on artists working in abstraction, non-objective and reductive art.
John likes to create imagery where there is no starting or finishing point, capturing a fragment of infinity and giving a visual expression of sound. It’s mesmerising to say the least. Lennox Street in Richmond has been proudly exhibiting Australian and International art by established, mid-career, and emerging artists for over twenty years.
The fact that this is a painting and not a photo is insane. Bronwyn is known for her hyperrealistic portrayals of stillness; a moment of contemplation, just as Flinders Lane is known for their representation of award winning artists. They sure do know how to pick them.
Sandra Pumani - APY Art Centre Collective
Sandra Pumani is from a family of artists but only just started painting commercially four years ago. Dare we say - one to watch? If you haven’t heard of APY Art Centre Collective, they’re one of Australia’s best art collectives representing ten organisations in South Australia. Indigenous owned and operated, of course.
Henry makes these pieces of work from old wetsuits which is both incredible as an art piece but also from a sustainability perspective which you know we all love. Also shout out to Egg & Dart, a beloved local of my old hometown in Wollongong.
Born in Talawi, West Sumatra, Yunizar is an Indonesian artist who creates tessellations of miniature motifs. Discovering artists like Yunizar is what cements the sincere joy of art fairs like Sydney Contemporary, as it is the international galleries such as Gajah Gallery who are based in Singapore with a focus on Indonesian artists.
Mikey is a German painter who explores how people relate to places and how small moments of peacefulness encourage a happier life. We couldn’t agree more. Represented by our friends at COMA in Chippendale.
Emily Kam Kngwarray - Delmore Gallery
Emily was an artist from Utopia community in the Northern Territory, becoming one of the most significant and sought after First Nation artist. Her works are on show in the country’s most prestigious galleries including the gallery that represents her homelands in Utopia - Delmore Gallery.
Get your tickets to Sydney Contemporary here. It is well worth it.