Strange Tales, my solo exhibition at Despard Gallery is coming up on the 10th May. It’s a weird blend of painting and literary references, with fairy tale and Tasmanian Gothic iconography, peculiar narratives, unsettling characters and haunting landscapes.

Any creative act is a little like a conjuring trick, you’re never entirely sure if it’s going to come off, and I’m probably too close to this body of work to see it clearly. However I can say that I’ve loved making this work, it’s been a blast and I’m really looking forward to the show. Oddly enough, these paintings are saturated with Tasmanian references: I find myself pawing over photographs of the island’s rugged coastline, early Colonial art, peculiar wildlife, literature, local Museum collections.

I’m also extremely pleased to announce that Danielle Wood, winner of the Australian/Vogel Literary Prize, will be opening the show. If you’re in Tasmania hopefully I’ll see you at the opening: 6pm Thursday 10th May. After the show I’m planning to take a month off and spend part of it traveling around the island. The aim is to visit and document all the lighthouses: can’t wait!