Seb Humphreys
Fringe 2023
January 27 - March 26, 2023
Opening Launch Friday February 10 at 6pm
Bio
Seb Humphreys / Order55
Seb Humphreys is an Australian visual artist know for his large scale mural work and Sculptures that explore the intersection of nature and the modern urbanized world. As a Mural artist Humphreys goes under the moniker ‘Order55’ and is recognized internationally for his distinctive style of transparently layered abstract paintings. He has many public works through out Europe and the Americas, as well as many successful projects over the last 15 years operating in Australia and New Zealand.
The unique gestural precision of his mark making has developed over the last 20 years to a point where he has expanded the limitations of the spray can. His distinctive fast motion stroke pattern allows a transparent layered composition to be sequentially built up, all the while leaving many visible traces of the underlying process. Operating in this way the paintings almost break down time into frames, fragmenting the observer’s perception by creating space and moments of pause between each visible plane.
Taking reference from nature, fantasy, science fiction and exploring perception beyond the traditional five senses, the paintings create surreal universes and resemble energy more so than matter.
Utilizing many years of working with urban spaces, has more recently lead Humphreys to consultancy roles in off the plan projects. Leading creatively in the design phase of projects and finding innovative solutions to integrate public art into the fabric of urban developments. In an Australian first collaborating with JPE design studios and Convic Skateparks, the George Whittle reserve project presents a multi-functioned playground / skateable sculpture –The sculpture pays an ode to the Red Hen railcar and its significance to the street culture of the city; while infusing the structure with gnarly river red gum trunks expresses a chaotic yet harmonious intersection between nature and industry.
SEB HUMPHREYS
ORDER 55
ECOLOGY OF BELONGING: A SERIES OF PAINTINGS REACTING TO THE MT BOLD BUSHFIRES
On January 24th 2020 The Cherry Gardens Fire entered the Scott Creek conservation park and the Mount Bold reservoir. Burning 2700 hectares of bushland over the two days.
This area was a second home to me. A place I knew like the back of my hand. Thousands of hours spent with the trees, animals and secrets that dwelt there.
A place so vast in my mind, almost limitless in its potential to carry my imagination. Feeding my daily adventure and narrative of self. Verging into almost a fantasy realm, the forest seemed infinite and immovable. Yet was reduced to charcoal.
As I scoured the remain of a blackened land, this connection to place was gone. The sense of belonging replaced with Silence. No birds, no rustling of leaves in the breeze. The absence of all life and colour. A dread and knowing that these areas would never quite feel the same as they did. The overwhelming disorientation as something that seemed so secure and un-ending as the forest itself was gone.
Exploring the fire grounds in the next months a new story of the regrowth emerged. All the stages of the regeneration of the bushland began. The reactions of the complex ecosystem springing back into life.
These paintings are a reaction to this time spent with the bushland. Informed by the changing landscape yet painted from memory. The works emphasis the emotive sense of place. Connection to a story and adventure. The ecology of seeking belonging.
VISIT OUR ONLINE SHOP FOR MORE PAINTINGS AND CONTACT RACHEL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES rachel@hahndorfacademy.org.au
1. Seb Humphreys, The Glade (unburnt), Acrylic and aerosol on canvas, $5,800
2. Seb Humphreys, Burning Through the Night, Acrylic and aerosol on canvas, $2,200