Sanguine

Born, raised, and based in Meanjin/Brisbane, Mark du Potiers is an artist of mixed Australian, Hong Kong, and Chinese migrant heritage - and he is also queer. As a visibly non-Caucasian person and an ethnic minority in his country of birth, Mark has long navigated the complexities of moving between cultures in search of acceptance and belonging. This experience shapes his interest in how images, ideas, and meanings are interpreted across cultural contexts.

Recognising how many people are taught to feel shame about their identity and culture from a young age - and the impact this can have on mental health -Mark’s practice seeks to counter this by creating visual reminders that there are many ways to be Australian, and many ways to belong.

Follow Mark on Instagram and check out his website.

‘Sanguine’ is a word describing feelings of hopefulness despite difficult times. Here, an owl perches amongst empty branches in the depths of winter, looking to the moon for company.

I remember painting this when I was feeling sad and aimless, but I never had the courage to display it publicly. Though I have better mental health these days, there’s still times where those feelings return. Sanguine then, sanguine now.