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David GRIGGS, Hellfire homestead BUSH wacking dingo #1 2017 acrylic on canvas 183.5 x 153 cm. Courtesy Hayman Collection, Melbourne
David GRIGGS, Zoloft Nation 2009 acrylic on canvas 282 x 232 cm. Courtesy Hayman Collection, Melbourne
David GRIGGS, ZOMBIE KISS 2009 acrylic on canvas 263 x 187.5 cm. Courtesy Hayman Collection, Melbourne
BETWEEN NATURE AND SIN is the first major survey exhibition of works by leading Australian artist David Griggs. Griggs was born in Sydney in 1975, but moved to the Philippines more than ten years ago. Through painting, photography and film, his works document the everyday, intimate, chance moments of his friends and strangers in order to expose and explore the human condition.
Through portraiture, Griggs explores the darker undercurrents of human existence, drawing on political imagery, subversive media, local histories and personal experiences. He is noted for his bold approach to revealing social hierarchies and underground culture, particularly the raw underbelly of society in the Philippines.
While his work is often collaborative, involving close engagement with local communities, Griggs remains sensitive to the ethical and moral obligations that this process demands.
This is particularly evident in his major feature film COWBOY COUNTRY, which ispresented for the first time in this exhibition. The filmfollows the story of a kidnapped American Filipino teenager held captive for ransom and was produced collaboratively with the community. Set in a fishing village on a remote island of the Philippines, the film features leading Filipino actors Soliman Cruz, the late Dante Perez and Melanie Tejano.
Megan Monte, curator of the exhibition, notes that:
Manila has challenged, broken and rebuilt Griggs in countless ways, as have his collaborations. This is encapsulated in the series of work presented in BETWEEN NATURE AND SIN, Griggs’ most ambitious and challenging project to date.
OPENING EVENT
Friday 28 September, 6.00 pm
Cost: Free
A Campbelltown Arts Centre exhibition presented nationally by Museums & Galleries of NSW. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
Image: David GRIGGS, Frat of the Obese 14 2009 acrylic on canvas 110 x 129 cm. Courtesy Hayman Collection, Melbourne
