Waverley Art Prize 2024 at Bondi Pavilion Gallery
Art history loves a straight line (not that I've bothered studying it), but this show demonstrates 'art reality', a truthful snap shot of a communities diverse ideas, styles and feelings.
It took me a typical three visits to land firmly on the Bull in a China Shop by Amber Boardman.
I found myself gazing into this painting. The mess of life heaped like dirty laundry on the bed. Distorted. That certificate on the wall - what? why? The flowers opening up like legs in a sexual romp. Two coffee cups and a Diet Coke. The soft pinks and feminine lightness weighted by the mess and dumbbells only a man would have in his room.
It wants to be grotesque, but it’s actually soft and delicate. This painting is rich with story.
The next piece worth discussing is 'Holding Onto a Measrement' by Steven Durbach.
The paint. The ink. The tightness and fluidity.
What is this tornado he's holding? The pen marks, while chaotic, feel coordinated and rhythmic.
Pay enough attention and you'll notice the artists shoe print in the top left corner of the paper (not viewable in the picture)...The image of him standing over the paper is now possible.
This blue ball of time shining a light bright enough to mask the portrait. His arms can barely hold onto it, but his expression feels at ease, on the edge of grinning. Like he's gazing into a crystal ball. The pattern on his clothes gives me the impression of armour. If you're taming time, I guess it makes sense to armour-up.
The pen time-nado in isolation reminds me of the ocean - as the blue moves from the centre to the right edge, it flows like a crashing wave - fitting for the Bondi Beach exhibit.
In this work, I feel like I can see him and I can see myself attempting to observe and shape reality.
The red thread that ties it all together?
Community.
Each painting acts as a local artist's contribution to the 2024 time capsule.
This community isn't defined by a singular style or feeling. You get happiness, sadness, laughter and lost - you get pop, abstraction, portrait and landscape.
As much as I wanted to block out Taylah Hasaballah’s Ironland from my experience, it successfully wedged into my memory for coating the entire room in a thin layer of rust. It shows sadness. I didn't really enjoy it, but I think that's the point?