Reflections: Adnate

Renowned globally for his artistry, Adnate's journey began two decades ago in the world of graffiti. It has since evolved into a profound exploration of cultural fusion and expression. Throughout the career spanning 20 years, Matt Adnate has left an indelible mark on the global art scene. His portfolio includes a myriad of murals and exhibitions that have graced cities all over the world. His towering 20-storey mural in Collingwood, Melbourne, is a local landmark, while the majestic 25-storey mural on the eponymously named Adnate Hotel, in Perth, stands as a testament to his artistic prowess on a grand scale.

Adnate's portraiture endeavours have been central to his career, with a focus on capturing the essence of the human spirit. This passion has led him to meet and paint notable figures, including the Dalai Lama, Adam Goodes, and most recently, Daniel Johns, whose portrait was selected as a finalist in the 2023 Archibald Prize.

The exhibition at Lennox St. Gallery, featuring Adnate's collaborative works with Indigenous artists, showcases new developments in his artistic journey. With over twenty canvasses and works on paper on display, this exhibition highlights the harmony of cultures and artistic expressions within Adnate's oeuvre.

Between 2010 and 2017, Adnate held regular solo exhibitions in Melbourne, Sydney, and Berlin. In the intervening years, Adnate focused mainly on his international mural practice. This will be the artist's first solo exhibition with a gallery since 2017. The planned launch event is best described as an immersive experience, with a smoking ceremony and a welcome to country conducted by Indigenous community leaders.

The exhibition will include a series of works which excludes spray paint in preference for brushwork, showcasing the artist's emergent sense of looseness and expressiveness. The source of inspiration comes from photographs he has personally taken of individuals from diverse cultures across the globe. Through these portraits, Adnate skilfully captures the essence of these global encounters, infusing his art with the rich tapestry of human culture from different corners of the planet.

Collaborations with Gunditjmara, Wemba Wemba & Yorta Yorta Artist Tommy Day.

The two artists have embarked on a creative journey, crafting numerous artworks showcasing Tommy's rich heritage as a member of the Gunditjmara people and the Kerrupmara clan. These pieces blend portraiture of Gunditimara descendants with Tommy's intricate interpretations of the landscapes, shining a spotlight on the mesmerising water features, lush wetlands, and the ancient lava flow etched with the history of countless generations. These artworks pay tribute to their ancestors who sculpted the land across centuries, now globally recognised as the Budj Bim World Heritage Cultural Landscape - an enduring testament to the world's oldest human-engineered freshwater aquaculture system.