Jon Campbell’s yEAH/dUNNO exhibition opens today (28 February) at Geelong Gallery, bringing together a selection of the artist’s works from over four decades.
The exhibition will feature artwork that uses words and phrases as imagery to capture aspects of popular culture that are lived and observed.
Mr Campbell said the collection of works articulated and celebrated his artistic output over the past 40 years.
“From the loose figuration of ‘Celebration 1’ (1985) to the large-scale text work, ‘it’s a world full of lying bastards’ (2017-20),” he said.
“This long and winding road takes the viewer on a journey, engaging with the ideas and images that have kept me energised and committed to the rollercoaster that is the life of an artist.”
Geelong Gallery director and chief executive Humphrey Clegg said the exhibition’s title, yEAH/dUNNO, embodied Mr Campbell’s approach to his art.
“I am incredibly excited to see this important exhibition brought to life here at Geelong Gallery,” he said.
“‘yEAH’ is a celebration of art and artists and their positive role in society, while ‘dUNNO’ reflects his interest in empowering people to say ‘I don’t get it, and that’s cool’.
“Jon Campbell is a remarkable artist whose understanding of how language shapes our perception of the world around us makes his work highly potent and engaging.”
yEAH/dUNNO activated the gallery building through the transformation of the rear facade last year through Mr Campbell’s artwork, with the main exhibition on display from Saturday 28 February to 24 May.
