When you look at the work on a surface level, it may appear fun, colourful and whimsical, but if you start to peel back the layers, another dimension starts to appear. A ticking clock, a reminder of mortality, a snapshot of our nostalgic childhood and the culture during simpler times. In a way it serves asa self-portrait, the backdrop to the paths we’ve walked and the landscapes that have carried our stories. There’s a mixed feeling to each image knowing that these businesses and facades are rapidly fading, the light side however, is the piece itself, the painting not only documents its history, but immortalizes it.With everything going on in this fast paced world, this exhibition is an access to happiness but also a subtle nudge to remind us to cherish the charming things we still have.
I spent most of my childhood outside, at the age of 4 I removed my own training wheels from my bike and I was off. The following decade were days full of skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX riding with the local crew. The days where a handful of shrapnel would buy the crew a kilo of hot chips wrapped in newspaper with enough money left over to head to the corner store and gorge on your favourite lollies. This series is a reminder of how brilliant and honest our childhoods truly were before the introduction of the internet. This exhibition is for all the kids that built cubby houses, climbed trees, built bike jump and skinned their knees.
When it comes to discovering the images, I approach each landscape almost like a location scout, there’s multiple elements that I look for that not only appeal to me but they tell a story; an indication of the years past and the different eras of signage and advertising. I am careful when it comes to what I include or subtract. I am definitely a purist when it comes to painting real to life,I’ll hardly even move a street sign. You will notice that I rarely include people or vehicles in my work. This is a thoughtful part of my practice; I choose to leave them out to avoid sending mixed signals when it comes to dating the work.I wish for the building and signage to be the focal point allowing their age and heritage to sing the loudest.
This exhibition is set to be one of many in the series, its own world frozen in time almost. I wanted this particular exhibition to act as the debut. Similar to a concept album, I wanted this to be a concise body of work with a solid direction. I have had this show planned for over 3 years now. I knew the number of images I wanted and in what iteration. I wanted multiple elements to the exhibition to create a well-rounded immersive experience. The first section would include the landscape and exterior of the Milk Bars including the iconic signage, as if you were outside the shop. This would then lead to a physical shopfront that hangs work in situ in a trompe l'oeil style. As you enter through the shopfront, you are engrossed by still-life’s of all the chips, lollies and soft drinks you once would have purchased in the 80’s and 90’s as well as the trading cards and Tazo’s that came along with them. Then to roll out the exhibition as you lead down the side, you will find the ghost signs that adorned external walls of these modern-day relics. All in all, giving the viewer a shared memory, even if they haven’t visited any of these particular locations, they still know the warm familiar feeling so well.
- Donovan Christie, 2022
Solo Exhibitions
2018
‘Be Kind Rewind’ / Metro Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
‘Business Class’ / Adelaide Airport and Hill Smith Gallery,Adelaide, SA
2017
‘Business As Usual’ / Studio Bowden, Adelaide, SA
2015
‘Frontin’ / The Space Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2013
‘Street Struck’ / Carclew Arts Centre, Adelaide, SA
2012
‘Surface’ / Onkaparanga Arts Centre, Adelaide, SA
2011
‘These Streets Raised Me’ / Gallery on Waymouth, Adelaide, SA
2010
‘Urban Streetscapes’ / Greenhill Galleries, Adelaide, SA
A Treat From The Street’ / The Producers, Adelaide, SA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2019
Primary and Secondary – Studio Bowden, Adelaide, SA
2018
Affordable Art Fair / Singapore
Summer Group Show / Metro Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Artists to Watch / Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
Lethbridge 10000 / Lethbridge Gallery, Brisbane, QLD
TransformARTive Charity Auction / Plant4, Adelaide, SA
City Vs. Nature / SA Art Collective, Adelaide, SA
2017
Form / Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Summer Group Show / Metro Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Spring Art / Loreto College
Linden Postcard Show / Linden New Art, Adelaide, SA
Coonawarra Art Prize / Penola Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2016
Mitcham Art Prize / Gallery One, Adelaide, SA
Youthscape / Royal South Australian Society of Arts,Adelaide, SA
Coonawarra Art Prize / Penola Gallery, Adelaide, SA
2015
Christmas Exhibit / Art Images Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Emma Hack Art Prize / Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide,SA
‘40x40x40’ / Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Prospect Portrait Prize / Prospect Gallery, Adelaide, SA
Spring ART / Loreto College
Royal Adelaide Art Prize / Wayville Showgrounds, Adelaide,SA
Frog Cakes / SAHMRI / Light Square Gallery, Adelaide, SA
King of Canvas / Onkaparinga Arts Centre, Adelaide, SA
Cranium / M2 Gallery (Sydney)
2014
Waterhouse Art Prize / SA Museum, Adelaide, SA
GuitarART Prize / Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
Youthscape / Royal South Australian Society of Arts, Adelaide, SA
2013
‘40x40x40’ / Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne, VIC
Salon Hang / Rosemont Estate Cellar Door, Adelaide, SA
Parklands Art Prize / Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA
King of Canvas / Onkaparinga Arts Centre, Adelaide, SA
Awards and Recognition
2019
Lethbridge 20000 (Finalist)
Fringe Festival Cover Prize (Winner)
Unley Art Prize (Finalist)
West Torrens Art Prize (Finalist)
2018
Lethbridge 10000 (Finalist)
2017
Lethbridge 10000 (Finalist)
Emma Hack Art Prize (Finalist)
Bluethumb Art Prize (Finalist)
Linden Postard Art Prize (Finalist)
2016
Young Achiever of the Year Arts Category (Winner)
Royal Society of the Arts S.A Youthscape (2D CategoryWinner)
Coonawarra Art Prize (Finalist)
Gallery One Art Prize (Finalist)
2015
Kym Bonython Encouragement Award (Winner)
City of Unley Studies of Urban Life Award (Winner)
Art Images Exhibit Award (Winner)
Prospect Portrait Prize (Finalist)
Emma Hack Art Prize (Finalist)
Hawkesbury Art Prize (Finalist)
King of Canvas (Highly Commended)
2014
The Waterhouse Art Prize (Finalist)
Lethbridge 10000 (Finalist)
Parklands Art Prize (Finalist)
Port Adelaide Art Prize (Peoples Choice)
2013
SALA Statewide Artist of the year (Winner)
Adelaide Review Artist Cover (Finalist)
King of Canvas (Finalist)
2012
BSG Small Scale Art Prize (Finalist)
Royal Society of the Arts S.A Youthscape (Finalist)
Rip It Up Youth Award (Finalist)
2011
Rip It Up Youth Award (Finalist)
King of Canvas (Finalist) 2010
Royal Society of the Arts S.A Youthscape (Finalist)
SALA Youth Arts Prize (Runner Up)
Flagstaff Rotary Art Show (Highly Commended)
2010
A Curious Creature / Urban Cow Studio
Youthscape / Royal South Australian Society of Arts
This is it! / These Walls Dont Lie Gallery
Bike Art Adelaide / Juxtapose Studios
6 Years Later Magazine Launch / No Vacancy, Melbourne
Selected Publications
2017
Coast City Weekly
The Sunday Mail
The Sunday Mail
City Messenger
Fritz Magazine
2016
Adelaide Matters
Bluethumb Gallery
Skellen Designs
2015
The Sunday Mail
The Advertiser
The Advertiser
The City
Aspire Magazine
Aspire Magazine
SA Weekend
2014
Adelaide Review
2013
The City
2012
Adelaide Review
2011
Adelaide Review
2010
Eastern Courier
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