Art is a part of a fundamental way of life. Art is everywhere – in our technology, in our clothes, in our architecture, our furniture, and most importantly, in the works that are designed to inspire, to amaze, to confront, to be reflected upon. Art should not be overlooked, or dismissed, or ridiculed, for where would be without artists? It is crucial to support up-and-coming and established artists not only to continue our way of life, but to support their ambitions and what they can create for this world.
Opening in 2016, The Peanut Gallery is a self-funded, artist-run space with a vision to support emerging and established local, interstate, and international artists. Their exhibitions are curated to bring only the highest calibre of art to Adelaide audiences – encompassing visual art, spoken art, performance art, and music. This June, Peanut Gallery presents “Lust & Introspection.” With the goal to display the works of young male artists, Peanut Gallery brings together two emerging South Australian artists: Matty Pearson and Billy Oakley.
Within their work, both artists represent an element of introspection, consideration of the human form, and a connection with the outside world. Both do so in very different ways. While Matty Pearson explores his curiosity of the feminine and of intimacy, painting his dreams of sexual encounters and domestic life, Billy Oakley showcases a series of portraits the way in which he perceives others, taking inspiration from historical art periods, and embodying a sense of self-reflection.
Matty Pearson has a fearless approach to the way he expresses himself in his art. While most of us wouldn’t dream of exposing our private lives to the public sphere, Matty reveals his sense of self, personal experiences, and deepest fantasies in a way that is bold, unapologetic, and captivating.
Matty had always liked drawing, but only recently discovered his preference for oil paint last year. “Edward Hopper is one of my inspirations,” says Matty, “I like how his work depicts people and couples, but has a sense of his own feelings of alienation. Egon Schiele is another big one – I love how he captures and appreciates women’s bare form.”
Matty’s paintings represent his exploration of the feminine and his fascination of intimacy. “My work varies on my mood,” Matty explains, “but mostly, it would have to do with my curiosity of affection, love, lust, and the female form. My own virginity plays a role in what I create.” Likewise, Matty’s exhibition at the Peanut Gallery displays his works of a similar theme, as well as his recent experiences of the aftermath of his uncle’s suicide, and of his washing machine.
Where to from here? “Having this experience will definitely motivate me into putting in my hours creating,” Matty says, “I currently work in a vineyard and paint where I can. I was over the moon to have the Peanut Gallery curate my work, as it’s my first exhibition. I hope to make this a full-time job.”
Matty’s work is available for purchase through this exhibition and he is currently in the process of creating his website. He is available for commission depending on availability.
He can be contacted through email: [email protected] or through Instagram @matty_pearson__
Billy Oakley is a true embodiment of an artist. He looks like one, he acts like one, but to dismiss him as only the stereotype of an artist would be unfair and inaccurate, for Bill is that and much more. He has a passion and dedication that is unrivalled. To watch him paint is to watch the serenity, self-assurance, and comfort he finds in his art, his ambition, and his sense of self.
Billy has never studied art and does not have any intention to do in the immediate future. “There was never really a time when I knew I wanted to be an artist,” Bill reflects, “I started painting about two years ago, knowing it was something I enjoyed and made me feel fulfilled. It wasn’t long until I started selling my first paintings. It opened up doors and made me realise that if I gave it my all, this was something I could definitely do for a living. Everything I know about painting is from trial and error, and time in front of the easel.”
Billy’s paintings tend to be colourful and moderately abstract. His original inspiration is Rembrandt, and is strongly influenced by fauvism, post-impressionism, and romanticism, which is represented within his work. “Although my paintings are heavily representational, I still follow a lot of rules of form and the way light hits certain things,” Bill observes, “I only paint in oil – I enjoy the thick, buttery texture of it, and it allows me to be as heavy handed as I wish with my strokes.”
Originally, Bill began painting in much darker colours in works that were layered and textured, but eventually changed to lighter, brighter palettes. “It’s true that I used to paint a lot darker,” Bill agrees, “but after being continually rejected by clients and venues for being ‘too depressed/tortured’, I started putting colour in my palettes. I found their words upsetting because I didn’t want my art to feel depressed or tortured, because I don’t feel depressed or tortured. So I had to make changes to put myself on a path that I thought would clearly articulate what I wanted to express.”
In this exhibition, Bill has a series of portraits of people with what appears to be halos around their head. “I created this series because I was trying to remember what it was exactly about painting that I enjoyed so much,” Billy explains, “the series is defiantly about degrees of pain, disillusionment, angst, confusion, and embroilment with self but also loving and cherishing oneself.”
What’s in the future? “There’s no stopping this train,” Bill says, “my intention is to continue displaying and to continue to sell until I can live comfortably off what I do.”
Billy’s paintings on display will be available for purchase. He also does commissions and sells his own artwork.
He can be contacted through his website: www.billyoakley.com. He also has a Facebook page, “Billy Oakley” and Instagram @billoak.
Lust & Introspection showcases from Friday, June 16th to Thursday, June 29th.
Peanut Gallery: Shop 115, Adelaide Arcade.
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