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.
Image above: Cameron Hayes In the South Pole the explorers were so afraid of not having enough food for winter …
Image above: Cameron Hayes She died in the child welfare tribunal, he died in an adult bookshop 2020-21 oil on …
Image above: Cameron Hayes Angry angels help Adam with the first dictionary 2020 oil on canvas 198 x 254 cm …
Image above: Deborah Williams The air smells different 2023 aquatint intalgio 53×39.5cm Congratulations to Deborah Williams, Martin King and Phillip …
Image above: Salvatore Zofrea Catching fire-flies in summer from the series Appassionata: one hundred woodcuts no.15. 1994–1999 Jelutong woodblock 40 …
Image above: Collection in focus exhibition image from Golburn Regional Gallery Collection in focus: Golburn Regional Gallery 5 July — …
Above image details: Jenny Rodgerson Mum’s orange cardigan 2024 oil on linen 60 x 40 cm Congratulations to Jenny Rodgerson and …
Image above: Sarah Tomasetti From Balpatta X 2024 145 x 150 cm pigment oil and marble dust on fresco Congratulations to Holly …
Image above (left to right): Graeme Drendel Portrait of Rick 2024 oil on canvas 41 x 31 cm | Michelle Hiscock …
Image above: Janet Luxton Giant Australian Cuttlefish 2021 oil on canvas 120x160cm Congratulations to Janet Luxton who has had two …
Above image: Wayne Eager, Allegory I 2023 oil on linen 95 x 133 cm Wayne Eager was interviewed by Janet …
Image above: Marina Strocchi The vineyards of Madden’s Lane 2023 acrylic on linen 122 x 152 cm Congratulations to Kate …
Congratulations to Jennifer Keeler – Milne for being selected as a finalist in the Ravenswood Art Prize 2024 for her …