Melbourne, 13 Apr 2021 — 2 May 2021

28 Derby Street [PO Box 1183], Collingwood 3066

She died in a child welfare tribunal, he died in an adult bookshop
- Cameron Hayes

A highly intelligent and skilled storyteller, Cameron Hayes’ multi-layered paintings actively address cultural power structures and contemporary political issues, rather than simply describing them. His fiercely honest observational works depict modern tales of pollution, political corruption, economic inequality, social injustice and the seemingly general malaise of humanity, often revealing patterns of human behaviour repeated throughout the centuries and across cultures.

“Because in painting you are capturing just one moment in time, you have to progress the story using many different characters doing many different things at the same time and they have to imply a past and suggest a future within that movement.” – Cameron Hayes, 2021

Hayes deftly unites metaphor, symbolism, present and past, distant and near onto the flat surface of the canvas. These intricately detailed and vibrantly coloured works immediately engage and draw us in closer to take in the complexity of the visual narrative. We are presented with microscopic worlds amongst worlds – logical, surreal, historical, futuristic – produced with an extraordinary oil painter’s assured hand and undeniable expertise.

Each large-scale painting can take months or years to complete even with a consistent daily discipline of intense studio time. Hence, after exhibiting predominantly solely in New York for most of his career, many paintings have never before been exhibited in Australia.

Curated by Marielle Soni, this highly anticipated solo exhibition at Australian Galleries is Cameron’s first in Melbourne since his near sell-out show of 2000.

Cameron Hayes
Densely layered, monumental paintings reveal recurring themes within Cameron Hayes’ oeuvre drawn from unabashed, uncomfortable …
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In Blog

Cameron Hayes – Artist Profile

Image above: Cameron Hayes  In the South Pole the explorers were so afraid of not having enough food for winter …

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Cameron Hayes’ Paintings Speak of Human Frailty and Insecurity

Image above: Cameron Hayes  She died in the child welfare tribunal, he died in an adult bookshop  2020-21  oil on …

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Cameron Hayes – Blake Prize 2021

Image above: Cameron Hayes  Angry angels help Adam with the first dictionary  2020  oil on canvas  198 x 254 cm …

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Dianne Fogwell – ‘Prescience’ Exhibition at Geelong Gallery

Image above: Dianne Fogwell  Prescience  2023  linocut and woodcut  4,500 x 145 cm  – installation at Geelong Gallery Congratulations to …

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Raymond Arnold Highly Commended & Rodney Pople a Finalist in the 2024 Glover Prize

Image above: Raymond Arnold Congratulations to Raymond Arnold, who has been Highly Commended in the 2024 Glover Prize, and to …

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The 2024 Palmer Sculpture Biennial

Image above: Greg Johns  The Kiss (Buried Alive)  2022-23  Corten steel  140 x 486 x 18cm “Congratulations to Greg Johns …

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Gallery News – When one door closes, another one opens…

The three adjoining properties which comprise the Australian Galleries Sculpture Park in Porcupine Ridge are now on the market. The …

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Marina Strocchi – Featured in The Art of Healing magazine

Image above: Marina Strocchi  Dusk in the Hills  2023  acrylic on linen  60 x 93 cm Marina Strocchi’s insightful writing …

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Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2024

Image above: Greg Johns  Sit Down Fella (Contemplative)  2023  Corten steel and bronze  260 cm high To view a selection …

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Barbie Kjar – Winner of the 2024 Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing

Image above: Barbie Kjar and her winning work No Expectations  2024 Photograph by Louisa Chircop Congratulations to Barbie Kjar, Winner …

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David Frazer ‘All That You’ve Loved’ Exhibition at Trinity College

‘David Frazer is primarily a graphic artist, a printmaker, who in his work creates a little microcosm, or a convincing …

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Simon Normand – Exhibition Reviews and Interviews – The Age, ABC Radio & Nikkei Asia

Image above: Simon Normand  Map – Australia  2023  acrylic on canvas and mixed media  145 x 170 cm  Simon Normand’s …

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Michael Buzacott – SLOT Window Gallery 2024

Image above: Michael Buzacott  Olympia  2024  steel  199 x 130 x 69 cm   SLOT is an independent window gallery …

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