Summer People
This is a mixed-media project I started back in 2017, during my endless summer journey , where I chased the sun across Australia for a year. What began as simple beach sketches evolved into playful, Instagram-inspired 20x20cm square canvases. In our digital age, most images are viewed fleetingly on platforms like Instagram. By transferring this familiar square format to physical canvases, I invite viewers to pause and truly engage with the artwork.
Observing the prevalence of fluorescent colors in beach attire, I incorporated vibrant acrylic paints against backgrounds of classic coastal hues: sky blue, deep ocean blue, viridian, and creamy sand tones. The figures are intentionally left blank and anonymous, symbolizing the beach's cyclical nature - bustling in summer, empty in winter. To emphasize the spontaneous, hand-drawn quality of the pieces, I added linework using Indian ink applied with a handmade reed pen. This final touch brings a sense of whimsy and authenticity to each canvas.
This project blends traditional artistic techniques with modern visual culture, capturing the essence of Australian beach life in a format that resonates with our contemporary viewing habits.
