Images by Mitch Lee // 

The globally-recognised artist will be showing the collection at Onwards Gallery on Friday and Saturday only.

Newcastle artist, sign-painter, muralist and conference host Brett Piva is just days away from unleashing his latest collection ‘Shelter Amidst the Ancient River Reds’. The new works which feature gold and other paints on glass centres around Piva’s nostalgic relationship with Australia’s third longest river – the Murrumbidgee.

The colourful work (we’ve seen a few teasers) is a reimagining of the river and Australian bushland through an abstract lens. Inviting viewers to consider their present existence within their beautiful natural surrounds, Piva underscores the real shapes, patterns and lines of the Aussie bush that he has experienced over the years.

“I revisit the river regularly, but the mid 90’s introduced a most amorous escape for me,” Piva says. “Long nights listening to the creak of ancient eucalypts in the wind with occasional fallen branches to wake you. The sunrise squall of White Cockatoos being the alarm to check the rods before breakfast and another day on the water.”

“Your closest mates, cold tins to sink in 40-degree heat, basic fire-cooked meals with bread as your plate, and eight D batteries for a beaten up stereo loud enough to be heard from the other side of the river. This is all we needed. This, and the right equipment for the ultimate catch of a most respected Australian Native Murray Cod. For me, this was a truly utopian lifestyle within the scrub of The Murrumbidgee River.”

Check out the times below, along with some snaps of Piva creating pieces ‘Shelter Amidst the Ancient River Reds’ – FB event here:

SHELTER AMIDST THE ANCIENT RIVER REDS
Solo Exhibition by Brett Piva
Opening Night: 6pm-9pm Friday 13th December
Exhibition: 11am-4pm Saturday 14th December
Onwards Studio. 6 Torpey Place, Hamilton, NSW