ABOVE BELOW, a contemporary photography and mixed media collective, will explore experiences of displacement, personal trauma and solitude in its inaugural exhibition at Paddington’s Comber Street Studios.
The eponymously named collection features work from three Sydney artists that span stories from Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam to reveal how lived experiences shape our frames of reference.
Sponsored by Four Pillars Gin, with support from Das Juice Wine, the launch will take place on Thursday, 24th November 2022 from 6pm – 8.30pm, featuring DJs throughout the evening.
“ABOVE BELOW came together through a shared desire of expression through art, particularly photography and mixed media. Despite each of us coming from different parts of the world, we found parallels between our experience as artists in Sydney, yet we all bring unique perspectives. Comber Street Studios is the perfect backdrop for our work, with an incredible history of supporting creativity. We see art as a way to bring people together, to tell a story, and invite everyone to join us for the launch,” said artist Emily May Gunawan.
ABOVE BELOW will feature the following artists:
- Emily May Gunawan | Emily May subverts commodified beauty photography to reveal the true allure beneath. Drawing on experience as an Indonesian artist in Australia, her works reject commercial boundaries — revealing how diverse perspectives, in front of and behind the camera, can coalesce to challenge dominant frames of reference. With 7 photographic works on display, created between London and Sydney, Emily May makes space for the complex reality of femininity by celebrating traditionally marginalised bodies.
- Deelan Do | Through a collection of mixed media works, Deelan Do reclaims the nonlinear narrative of consent. In a visual conversation of vulnerability, he draws on his personal experience and surrounding stories of casual trauma as cathartic fuel for momentum. Facing introspection in the hope of creating communion around the particularities of voice, control and empowerment – while finding space to heal himself. What might seem to be the surface is an embodiment of the underneath.
- Jonathan Rae | Drawn by the beauty of nature’s quiet places, Jonathan Rae pays reverence to our contrasting landscapes through a photography series titled “The Alps”. Jonathan spends a great deal of time photographing on the corners of the world, often alone, and draws power from the solitude found there. Jonathan’s works are calming yet meditative, presenting a private world that extends to the viewer.
Where: Comber Street Studios, Paddington
When: Thursday 24th November 2022 6pm – 8.30pm
Attendees can sign up through Eventbrite and Facebook Event, or alternatively arrive at the door on the night. The show runs until 29th November 2022.