The latest exhibition by Sydney’s ARTCLUB is FRONTIERS, a five-day boundary-pushing show set to open on Wednesday 13 November in Paddington's Comber Street Gallery. The gallery space is set to be transformed by a group of emerging artists into a vivid landscape of creative expression.
Born in Bondi’s backyards, ARTCLUB – founded by Claudia Lowe – has become a vibrant collective of artists who thrive on experimentation and immersion. And in FRONTIERS, expect an intimate dive into the surreal, where themes of the subconscious, nature’s mystique, and human connection come alive. Each artist’s vision stretches beyond traditional forms, blending personal inspirations with ARTCLUB’s ethos of collaboration and exploration.
To mark the exhibition's opening, we caught up with each of the 10 artists and the contributing creative minds behind the show's pieces to discuss all things Surrealism, inspiration and the music that soundtracked their practices.
BEC FERNON
My name is … Bec Fernon.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
My works are painted in the style of realism using oil paints on canvas. They depict imagery of our subconscious, fuelled with symbolism that reflects ideas of desire, gluttony and lust of 21st century culture. I have simultaneously painted from still lifes I assembled, and painted scenes from my imagination, showing how ideas of surrealism exists in the everyday and in our unconscious minds.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
Recently I have been finding my inspiration mostly from contemporary culture, looking at what drives city society, which I’ve found is mainly money and sex. Imagery of a pigs head served on a silver platter and the fishtails are used as symbolic to ideas of wealth and gluttony, inspired by Dutch still lifes that were highly symbolic, and using seafood to represent wealth and status.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
My greatest understanding of Surrealism actually came from Carl Jung, a Swiss theorist born in the 1800s. He shaped my understanding on the psychological side of Surrealism, and how we, as humans, are influenced by our unconscious state. Jung unpacks our unconscious mind and separates them into archetypes, which are essentially personality traits that influence human behaviour. The archetype known as ‘the shadow’ is what mostly shaped my ideas of Surrealism. The shadow is part of the unconscious mind and is composed of our primal instincts – that is mainly repressed ideas, weaknesses and desires. Jung enabled me to understand how Surrealism stems from our unconscious worlds and how we can create from our unconscious state.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I stick to music when painting. Recently I have been listening to lots of Jazz throughout the day and then usually switch up to old school Hip Hop to get me through the afternoon.
CAMILLE WISEMAN
My name is … Camille (Kathryn) Wiseman.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
I have two oil paintings in this year’s exhibition. They are both quite direct and simple compositions of a rock, sheep and a bush. I have used these painting to reflect on how language shapes our interactions with the natural world. What do we, as a culture, recognise as having spirit? Would we treat a rock differently if we believed it were alive? My inspiration also comes from moments driving down the Hume, where I've mistakenly identified a rock or bush as a sheep, allowing me to reconsider my perception whilst also giggling at myself.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
The natural world and books about ecology! These pieces were heavily inspired by a chapter in Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
I was introduced to Surrealism at a very young age because of a book my parents used to read me called Dinner at Magritte’s by Michael Garland. I became a bit of a Surrealism dweeb as a teenager and saw my first full exhibition of surrealist works at a gallery in Chicago at 16 and was so happy I swear my feet were floating an inch above the floor on my way home. My idea of what Surrealism is has developed a lot since then, but I still take inspiration from the origins.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I listen to a variety of things depending on my mood. I have been loving the Half Arsed History podcast and have been listening to Marlon Williams, Floodlights and Angie McMahon on repeat recently.
EMILY HANDLIN
My name is … Emily Handlin.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
This collection is a riff on traditional Western lithographic posters, but made with thick oil pastel on unprimed linen for a raw, badass feel. I wanted a poster-like look that you’d maybe see stapled to telegraph pole. Some have handwritten headlines, that bring an offbeat insight or charming warmth to the piece.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I took a lot of inspiration from a recent trip to the Mojave desert in the US. Everything had a dry, desaturated look. What once might have been bright and colourful, was faded by the unadulterated sun. I’ve been playing with different techniques to capture that dry, bleached aesthetic. But the content itself is inspired by humour the raw and rudimentary thoughts and feelings that drive me.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
My Dad had a print of The Great Masturbator by Dali in the dining room growing up. I can’t say that I ‘understood' it, but it provoked conversations around capturing the imagined, the power of juxtaposition, and hidden messages in art — all characteristics I use now.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts while you work? If so, what are you listening to when you create?
Love this question. I’m listening to a lot of Rock music at the moment. It absolutely helps in setting the tone of my work. Right now it’s Arctic Monkey, Satan’s Pilgrims, QOTSA, Link Wray and Les Jaguars to name a few.
ISAIAH GALVIN-SULLIVAN
My name is … Isaiah Galvin-Sullivan.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
I’d best describe my works as playful, experimental and ignorant.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I’m taking inspiration from my small library of books, the internet, my memories and my friends.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
It’s a little nuanced, but Stanley Kubrick.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I listen to heaps of stuff, but off the top, Sixto Rodriguez and Eric Clapton records were played a bunch whilst painting these works.
JOEL RICHARD
My name is ... Joël.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
It's a bit cliche but the first thing that comes to mind would be a free aero plane ticket to wherever you wish to go... but probably a fine line between freedom and captivity.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
Sure, a few things: the corporate world and its people, their uniforms. Sometimes I witness people running after the bus in the morning. I find it fascinating. I've also been obsessed lately by Spanish matadors (bullfighters) and Brazilian culture in general, that place is special.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
There are so many. It's hard not to mention Henri Rousseau or Jean Cocteau being French but I will definitely say Stanley Kurbrick, I remember at school (at 12 years old/year 12?) our teacher played us A Clockwork Orange and that movie still to date is one of my favourites.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
Sometimes. Lately I've been enjoying streaming live PBSFM they have heaps of shows which feature lots of international music. I love The Chronicles of Kick Ons by Ponie Curtis and The Breakfast Spread by Milo Eastwood from their streaming program.
SOPHIA MASTERS
My name is … Sophia Masters.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
My pieces in this exhibition explore the body as a space where the dualities between vulnerability and tension are constantly shifting.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
At the moment, I'm fascinated by the in-between moments that act as subtle thresholds. These moments reveal how we transition from one experience to the next without always being aware of it. I always tend to look to the body and human relationships to explore these ideas.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
When I think of Surrealism, I picture Dali and Frida Kahlo. I love Frida for the way she blends illusion with emotion.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
At the moment, it's Brazilian Trap or sitcoms on repeat, but I'm always switching it up.
LEIF PRENZLAU
My name is … Leif Prenzlau.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
Calm and soft.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I find inspiration around the creeks around the Northern Rivers. You instantly feel in touch with your surroundings and feel like nothing else matters at that moment.
Was there an artist book film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
Not really. I always just looked at the different sorts of trees and nature around me and how a tree bends towards a river or the roots reach out to the creek to continue to flourish. Or how a dead tree refertilises the ground and life goes on. Feels like a different world, but so relatable to us.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I don’t when I'm shooting – the creek noises are beautiful enough. But when I drive from place to place I either listen to music or interesting conversation. I recently really enjoyed the Joaquin Phoenix interview on Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso. So real and raw.
JOSHUA WARD
My name is … Joshua Ward.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
This body of work feels deeply authentic to me. I’ve been creating these characters and personas for a while, yet I’ve often hesitated to exhibit them, fearing they might not resonate with others. This brief, however, has given me the confidence to fully embrace and explore this style that is so close to my heart. My work naturally leans toward the surreal, and I find that the stranger it gets, the more true it feels. This project has been a liberating experience, encouraging me to push further into this world and bring these characters to life without reservation.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
This body of work draws from my heritage and my desire to celebrate the exaggerated yet beautiful proportions of the human face. Growing up mixed race, I often felt uncertain about my identity and recognised the privileges I had compared to some of my other family members. I’ve subconsciously felt a need for permission to connect with this part of myself, as though it were a space I didn’t fully own. These pieces mark the beginning of dismantling the preconceptions and self-imposed barriers that have held me back from exploring my identity.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
Artclub has created a community where we can dive into these movements and explore the who, why, and how behind them. Claudia’s made it a safe space to learn and ask questions without ever feeling silly, which I think is so important.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
It really depends on my mood – sometimes it’s R&B, other times it’s The Ricky Gervais Show with Karl Pilkington (seriously, you have to listen!). And lately…well, The Only Way Is Essex has been my background noise. A guilty pleasure, but I’m owning it!
MADISON DAVIES
My name is … Madison Davies.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
Vibrational, chaotic, a little dark, offerings to God.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
The 6th dimension.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of ‘Surrealism’?
I remember learning about Dali and Magritte in high school and being completely fascinated by their work. However, Surrealism is everyday life if you look deep... or shallow enough.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I always listen to music and podcasts when I am creating. Its an ever-changing eclectic mix depending on my mood, but Greentea Peng has been a huge influence lately along with the usuals from Erykah Badu, Krishna Das and Tinariwen to J. Cole and Rihanna.
RUSH DRAYTON
My name is ... Rush Drayton.
How would you describe your pieces in this year's Artclub exhibition?
My body of work titled Animal Selves comprises a hyperrealistic silicone sculpture of a porcine girl accompanied by photographs of the girl interacting with her natural environment. The narrative unfolds as she encounters a human girl and her hound in a wooded bushland, where they explore and learn from one another, prompting viewers to question their differences from animals. Pigs have the cognitive ability to empathise with humans and express their own emotions through twenty distinct sounds. The work challenges us to embrace our shared origins and to recognise animals as sentient beings.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I look for Surrealism in everyday life, especially relating to interconnected environments and animals' umwelt – their unique sensory experiences largely beyond human understanding – and how we anthropomorphise them to understand their world. Recently, I saw artist and researcher Heather Barnett speak about slime mould, a single-celled organism capable of learning and forming efficient networks. Researchers worldwide are studying its biological principles to decode its computational rules, applying these insights in electronics, programming, and robotics. Despite lacking a brain, slime mould – actually part of the Protozoa family – exhibits behaviours we typically associate with brain function. This made me wonder how our world might appear if the hidden dynamics of ecosystems were more visible in everyday life. As an artist, I want to show viewers that surrealism surrounds us—you just have to look for it.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of 'Surrealism'?
Continuing on this topic of umwelt, An Immense World by Ed Yong and Ways of Being by James Bridle greatly influenced my work. They reveal a multidimensional reality of animal senses, highlighting phenomena like flies perceiving the world in slow motion and plants that can hear and learn. They challenge the anthropocentric perspective and reveal the complexity of non-human experiences. I think Hyperrealism is a great medium to explore the tension between the human and animal sensory experience, as it offers the closest representation to replicating something in the natural world.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I shift between podcasts and music, but music usually takes precedence. My go-tos are MJ Lenderman, Smog, Floodlights, Jessica Pratt, Sun Kil Moon, Aldous Harding and The Slingers, to narrow it down!
HARRY LECKIE (INTERIOR DESIGNER)
My name is ... Harry David Leckie.
How would you describe your pieces in this year's Artclub exhibition?
The installation responds to the René Magritte exhibition currently held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW). Magritte is known for his playful, often frivolous take on mundane and everyday objects, such as a green apple or a bowler hat, balancing the rational with the power of the unconscious and dreamlike. The soirée takes place in a former loading dock garage, where I aimed to contrast the harsh realities of modern life with spectacular silky fabrics and glossy chrome tableware, paired with delicate stem candlesticks. This juxtaposition highlights their contradictions, yet they ultimately come together as one dreamy visual experience.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I recently moved and discovered items that inspired me as a teenager like as cut-up magazines, my Mum’s old fashion books, and weathered fabric samples. These finds have lit my childhood curiosity, reminding me that creativity is limitless.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I am currently listening to the Frieze Master podcast featuring British Museum curator Nicholas Coleridge. I'm also enjoying Spotify’s AI-generated playlists; today’s is humorously titled 'Balearic Beat Luxury Tuesday Morning'. Vibe.
LAUREN CROGHAN (FLORIST)
My name is ... Lauren Croghan-Johnson (Studio Lauren Flora).
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
I aim to explore the interplay of sparse desert dwellings with new life beginnings. The installation reflects the complexity of the Australian outback, still and dry but alive in new growth – a reflection on human interaction with the natural, wild world. The work is constructed around Rush's Animal Selves, adding another level of contemplation. To reflect the relationship of human to animal to nature – immersing yourself in the experience of the work.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I am actually drawing inspiration from a life-long fascination with gemstones – when I was a kid, I would collect all different types, colours, shapes, and display them in my room. Currently I am inspired by the shapes and form of crystals, emerging from the ground.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
I would say Rene Magritte's The Lovers was a stand out piece that made, and still makes, me think about its complex, confronting meaning. This painting and artist opened my eyes to the idea of Surrealism existing in a simplistic form with a big punch!
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
I definitely listen to a variety of genres whilst creating. No day is the same, I just pick a band or artist I feel on the day – usually something from my teens for a nostalgic dopamine hit. Think Incubus, Silverchair and The Darkness vibes. I generally use music as a creative distraction, keeping it light and comfortable to create.
JAMILA ROSE (POET/SINGER)
My name is ... Jamila Rose.
How would you describe your pieces in this year’s Artclub exhibition?
An ethereal journey that explores the landscapes of the human spirits connection to expression.
Where are you finding inspiration at the moment?
I’ve been giving myself space to day dream and look up. The ever-changing colours and moods of the vast sky has given me a colour palette of emotion to delve into.
Was there an artist, book, film or exhibition that most shaped your idea or understanding of Surrealism?
Oh yes! Many! But Carl Jung shaped and revealed how I utilise ideas from the collective unconscious to express deep emotions and defined the art of self discovery.
Do you like to listen to music or podcasts when you work? If so, what did you listen to while creating your pieces?
Depending on the mood I love to listen to Sarah Pratt, Michael Kiwanuka, River Tiber. Oh, and Khruangbin's first album is responsible for so many artists inspirations. And Bjork. Anything that invokes a sense of calm curiosity to explore the self.
FRONTIERS exhibition will run from 13–17 November at Comber Street Gallery. You can buy a ticket, and find out more on the ARTCLUB website.
