OFFSITE EXHIBITION | DONOVAN CHRISTIE | SALA FESTIVAL 2026
Bringing together paintings created over the past two years, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity for South Australian audiences to view a substantial collection of new works before they travel interstate for upcoming exhibitions.
Driven by a deep nostalgia for the places that once formed the heart of everyday Australian life, Donovan Christie documents the disappearing shopfronts, trades, and local businesses that have shaped generations of communities. Through meticulously rendered oil paintings, he preserves these familiar streetscapes and fading ghost signs as quiet tributes to a rapidly changing urban landscape.
As gentrification and redevelopment continue to transform our cities and suburbs, Christie's work invites viewers to pause and reconsider the cultural value of these often-overlooked places. His paintings celebrate the character, craftsmanship, and shared memories embedded within Australia's built environment, while encouraging a renewed appreciation for the independent businesses and neighbourhood icons that continue to define a sense of place.
This exhibition brings together a preview of new works from the past two years ahead of upcoming exhibitions interstate, offering South Australian audiences a preview of paintings that continue his exploration of nostalgia, collective memory, and Australia's evolving cultural landscape.
Donovan has been a finalist in numerous major Australian art prizes, including the Wynne Prize, Mosman Art Prize, John Leslie Landscape Prize, and Hornsby Art Prize. He was also named among the Top 100 Most Collectible Australian Artists for a second time in 2025.
