https://www.lintonandkay.com.au/exhibitions/nigel-sense-funtastico/

June 16, 2023 - July 2, 2023
Fantastico

adjective
/fantas’tiko/
plural , masculine fantastici

Fantastico looks at the “F” word FUN and what fun means when you reach middle age. For a child, it’s second nature to chase fun in the day to day. But as adults, wanting fun in our lives seems less important or even irresponsible.

For the past six years I have worked to chase the joy in life without compromise. But what happens when your desire to only have fun to puts enjoyment over reality? This departure from reason feels like sliding into a gluttony of madness. It’s a fine line to walk. I’m guessing happiness is not found in gluttony. The closest answer to this problem I have found is from Keith and Mick “You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you might find. You get what you need”.

These paintings are a direct result of this journey, every adventure and experience end up on the canvas a travel diary of sorts. From tiles in Penang to the colours of a Hindu temple in the hills of Bali these images seep onto the canvas in an uncontrollable way. Distorted faces and figures tentatively balance between fun and madness switching between the two at any time. While reminding me to keep moving, keep seeing new things, keep adding to the canvas. To go somewhere next even if I have nowhere to go.