Artworks are first available to purchase in person at the exhibition held from 4-10 Oct at King George Square.
Online sales will open following the exhibition.
Originally from Newcastle/Hunter Valley, Awabakal Country, Mon currently resides in Brisbane/Meanjin. Their artistic style is pop surrealist, low brow and definitively outsider art.
Mon is usually found drawing or painting and spending time inquisitively looking at nature, until bursts of creative energy come along. Their characters flow subconsciously from the hand and land onto the chosen medium, bringing a child-like playfulness and creating a fun and uplifting vibe.
Mon was diagnosed with bipolar type two later in life. They believe in the importance of stopping the stigma around mental health, so people can access the right support. Their main reason for creating art is self-preservation and expression; to make and share something that is uniquely yours in this world.
This artwork represents the shifting of energies. I started with a white canvas and the other I painted black. Observing the contrast already starting, the black was absorbing and heavy. The white canvas was light, limitless and airy.
Next was the central smiley/frown. A common and universal symbol to depict happy and sad emotions, I then added the characters from pages of my sketch books who fit themselves into the story unfolding. Flip a coin, what will you get today?