ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Gerwyn Davies' Sunburnt Surrealism: Kitschy Coastal Australiana

exhibition · 2026-07-02

Gerwyn Davies has created an intriguing mix of photos and textile art that combines surrealism with the quirky vibes of coastal Australia. In these pieces, he takes center stage, appearing in playful settings that blur the lines between what’s real and what’s imagined. His outfits, made from everyday materials like felt, pleather, sequins, and vinyl, transform him into characters that resonate with his personal story. He draws from the Tweed Regional Museum's collection, along with postcards and souvenirs, reimagining them in sequins and spandex. His uniquely dressed figures seamlessly integrate into rich environments that celebrate the visual culture of coastal Australia. In 2025, he wrapped up a residency at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio, where he created new works for this show.

Key facts

  • Gerwyn Davies is both artist and protagonist in his photographic works.
  • Works include 'Pub rock 2025', 'Tropicana 2025', 'Meter maid 2026', 'Crab 2025', 'Croc 2025', 'Sunburn 2025', and 'Tan man 2025'.
  • Materials used include felt, pleather, thread, sequin, velvet, vinyl, metal pole, brackets, and lurex.
  • Davies draws on the Tweed Regional Museum collection.
  • In 2025, Davies undertook a residency at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio.
  • The residency was at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre.
  • The residency lasted three weeks.
  • Photograph by Aaron Chapman/Tweed Regional Gallery.

Entities

Artists

  • Gerwyn Davies

Institutions

  • Tweed Regional Museum
  • Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio
  • Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

Locations

  • Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

Sources