Australian artist Jack Irvine’s solo exhibition Simple Pleasures is everything we need to feel seen in our post-lockdown lives and is moving to the aMBUSH Gallery Kambri.
Completed during Melbourne’s lengthy lockdown in 2020, Jack’s paintings were created with a foundation of humour, sentimentality and a sense of endearment.
He describes the subject matters of his work as “things that encapsulate positive memories throughout my life. Things that before the pandemic I lacked appreciation for, and in hindsight, I’ve realised how amazing those times were.”
We can all relate to that feeling of delving back into our memory-bank during covid, bringing ourselves back to “happier times” and realising how important they are to hold onto.
Opening on Thursday, 15 April this refreshingly uplifting show asks viewers to consider the small things in life that can easily be taken for granted. Things like sunshine, road trips, freedom, nature, and the enjoyment of reading a book or watching a good tv show, the things we learnt to love again during COVID and can be a reminder of the positive things to have come out of lockdown.
The show includes over two dozen vibrant paintings (with some new additions especially for Kambri) bursting colour and movement. Produced in a bold, animated style, the works transport the audience to multi-coloured worlds that explore what may be described as the joy of daily life, just without the usual dose of cynicism.
Influenced by artists that are known for their incredible use of colour, such as Keith Haring, Picasso, Basquiat and Ozzie Wright, Jack’s art is a true working of his imagination.
Jack has been sought out by some of the biggest breakout music acts globally to create artwork for their merch, including Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan and BENEE. He has also been an artist in residence for the past two years for the Laneway Festival. Simple Pleasures will also feature art that Jack created for Australian surf music and garage rock trio, Skegss, with whom he began collaborating five years ago, developing the band’s visual identity alongside them.
In addition to his acrylic on canvas works and limited-edition prints, visitors will be able to purchase merchandise including T-shirts and hoodies.
The opening night for Simple Pleasures is on Thursday, 15 April from 6 pm-8 pm at aMBUSH Gallery Kambri (ANU Building 153, L2) with live music from DJ DOSS and complimentary drinks supplied by Capital Brewing and Lerida Wine.
Numbers are limited, so register your interest in attending the opening night here.
The exhibition runs until 16 May from 10 am-6 pm on weekdays and 12 pm-5 pm on weekends and is free of charge to the public. Visit www.ambushgallery.com for more information, and look for aMBUSH Gallery on Facebook and Instagram for exhibition updates.
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