As Nick Ferguson travelled around remote Australia, he was captivated by waterholes, not just the place itself but the ritual he witnessed of swimming and the possibility of being changed by the experience. He shares, ‘each dive, siesta and float down the river represented a rebellion against the societal drive for productivity and efficiency.’ Though inspired by reality, back in the studio, the artist translated these memories of strangers – lovers, family and friends alike – into fictional characters with new narratives.
Nick Ferguson, The Golden Hour, 2020, oil on linen, 126 x 106cm. Courtesy the artist and Art Atrium, Sydney
Art Atrium
24 April to 8 May 2020
Sydney
