A proud Noongar man, emerging artist Darryl Dempster was born and raised in Kepa Kurl (Esperance), Western Australia, before moving to Boorloo (Perth) in his early adulthood.
Employing a raw, uninhibited style, Dempster’s artworks blend explosive splashes of colour and gestural marks across a range of surfaces. In addition to traditional mediums, found objects, lampshades, street signs, hardhats, garments, and paper bags become blank canvases for his unique perspective, sharing vivid narratives that blend his lived experience with cultural knowledge and stories.
“It’s like a dance, you know? I start with a blank canvas and let my emotions guide me. Sometimes I’ll see something – a superhero, a stop sign – and it sparks an idea. Then I just let my hands do the talking. I hope they see the beauty in everyday things. Life can be tough sometimes, but there’s always something to appreciate. I want my art to bring joy and hope to people, to remind them that there’s magic in the world if you just take the time to look.” – translated by Talei McKenzie, Rockybay team leader and carer for Darryl Dempster.
Taking its name from the artist’s iconic signature inscribed across several of the works, DooDoo is Dempster’s first solo exhibition.
Darryl Dempster, Snake Home, 2024, synthetic polymer paint on canvas. Courtesy the artist and Fremantle Arts Centre, Western Australia
Fremantle Arts Centre
10 May to 21 July 2024
Western Australia
