The Sentimentality of Something Unseen: J Davies
3 February 2023 - 23 April 2023
Curator:
Artist(s): J Davies
Location: Boadle Hall
The Sentimentality of Something Unseen is a photographic exhibition of new and archival works by artist J Davies exploring both the sensual and the sensuous experiences of queerness. From erotic embraces of candid couples; to lived-in and loved-in beds; to cinematic sunsets; to heaving, hazy dancefloors; and images of decay and destruction, J Davies invites their audience to experience the world through their eyes—reminding us of the perpetual longing for life, and being precious with what you keep hold of, but not too precious. With a fly-on-the-wall, voyeuristic approach, these analogue photographs provide spaces and glimmers for viewers to re-experience the intimate and vulnerable moments shared by the artist and the people depicted within these images. J’s work seeks to share these queer, safe spaces through the sentimentality of photography, re-encountered as romantic remnants, or left-over lust. Like the nostalgic glow of golden hour re-igniting faint feelings shared with friends and whānau, The Sentimentality of Something Unseen is an exhibition that celebrates holding on to the lingers of love in whatever form feels appropriate.
J Davies is a multidisciplinary takataapui artist respectfully doing mahi on stolen lands of The Kulin Nation in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia).
Through ongoing archiving of contemporary queer existence in the city of Naarm, J cultivates connection to community and culture whilst considering themes of identity, intimacy and neurodiversity.
With a uniquely personal perspective; J documents their own life behind-closed-doors and invites their audience and collaborators to collectively contemplate the ways in which we view and value intimacy within our lives.
J graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Art from The Victorian College of The Arts in 2017 and has been experimenting with photography since the mid 2000’s.
In 2021 J was diagnosed with a processing disorder that shed light on their difficulty with timelines and distinguishing dreams from memories. In 2022 J published their first book Half of My Whole Life Was Just a Dream which explores the connectedness of consciousness and subconsciousness.
The opening night will be held on Friday, 3 February, 6 - 8pm at Incinerator Gallery alongside exhibitions Infinite Pleasures and Knot Locked: Debris Facility.