J Valenzuela Didi’s artworks are both contemporary and nostalgic, inspired by Australian suburban landscapes. Stillness in Transit is an exhibition of artworks that rediscover places and moments from childhood memories. His paintings are created without sentiment, but instead with the excitement and wonder of a child. Familiar scenes emerge as alien landscapes and the figures that appear in these scenes become solitary explorers, ephemeral beings immersed in the enduring surroundings.
‘As children, my brother and I would play outside my parents’ shop after school. I vividly remember exploring the neighboring convenience store or leaping across the bright yellow parking kerbs. As we played, the afternoon sunlight gave the building a captivating glow. My brother and I were part of this place… We were explorers… This was a magical world we had discovered.
I still wander through suburbs and towns with the sense of awe that I felt for that old building. These are the places I know. My memories are ghosts in their streets.’ – J Valenzuela Didi
Exhibition Opening: 3 – 5pm 6th February 2016
Image: Urban Spaceman, Oil on canvas, 61 x 122cm
