Artist - Donovan Christie

b. 1989, Adelaide S.A

Donovan Christie makes his statement by addressing the symbiotic relationship between man and manmade surroundings, objectifying and highlighting the purity of things that are often overlooked. Emerging as a teen graffiti artist, he learnt to look at his environment different from others, with an acute eye for detail. Donovan’s paintings can be seen as witty and simple at first; however much like real life, the more you look the more there is to be seen. These realistic depictions of our daily settings are a reminder to stand still and view our landscape from a different lens.

The self-taught artist has been selected as a finalist in several major art prizes including The Waterhouse, The Kennedy, The Lethbridge 10000 and The Parklands Art Prize just to name a few, in addition to becoming the Channel 9 Young Achiever of the Year for Arts and Fashion.

It proves very evident that Donovan was a child of the 1990’s, found on anything that had wheels, he was frequently seen on the streets of Adelaide leading the pack. Encountering such a rich history from an early age, it’s no wonder why he has an affinity for nostalgia and respect for the cornerstone of the corner store. The self-taught artist demonstrates a deeper understanding of the present sign of times and creates thought provoking narratives within the landscape. His oil paintings document and immortalise these scenes of our current day, capturing the character and charm of these modern day relics as we are on the verge of a dying era.

“As a 90s kid I have a vivid picture of what my home town (Adelaide) was to me; City Sk8, Magic Mountain, Night Train, and Tilt Arcade. All these places have left a lasting impression on me; however, with this fast paced world we now live in, people often forget what we used to have around us or even what we still do. My aim is to bring attention to the things that often take a backseat in our humble city, encouraging the viewer to pause and look at the landscape a little different.

Each picture I paint has a connection to me, even if only subtle; I am placing a piece of me into each painting. Each painting has a personal story attached; I have been a part of the scene in which I am capturing. I choose to leave the paintings vacant of people and life, not only to give the air that something has or is about to go down, but to also allow the viewer to place themselves in the setting and recreate their own memory or narrative.”

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions //

2022 – ‘The Milk Bars Are on Me’ / Metro Gallery (Melb)
2020 – ‘Faces and Places’ / Holdfast Bay Discovery Centre
2018 – ‘Be Kind Rewind’ / Metro Gallery (Melb)
2018 – ‘Business Class’ / Adelaide Airport & Hill Smith Gallery
2017 – ‘Business As Usual’ / Studio Bowden
2015 – ‘Frontin’ / The Space Gallery
2013 – ‘Street Struck’ / Carclew Arts Centre
2012 – ‘Surface’ / Onkaparanga Arts Centre
2012 – ‘Artillery’ / Brown Sugar Gallery
2011 – ‘These Streets Raised Me’ / Gallery on Waymouth
2010 – ‘Urban Streetscapes’ / Greenhill Galleries
2010 – ‘A Treat From The Street’ / The Producers

Selected Group Exhibitions //

2022

Mosman Art Prize – Mosman Gallery
John Leslie Art Prize – Gippsland Gallery
Gallery M – Contemporary Art Prize

2020

Elaine Bermingham Watercolour Prize – QCA Galleries, Griffiths University
John Leslie Art Prize – Gippsland Gallery
Lethbridge 20000 – Lethbridge Gallery
The 21^st Prospect Art Show – Newmarch Gallery

2019

Feels Like Home / Praxis Art Space
Summer Group Show / Metro Gallery (Melb)
Borderland / NAB Foyer Adelaide
Primary and Secondary / Studio Bowden

2018

Affordable Art Fair / Hong Kong
Summer Group Show / Metro Gallery (Melb)
Artists to Watch / Lethbridge Gallery (Brisbane)
Lethbridge 10000 / Lethbridge Gallery (Brisbane)

2017

Asia Contemporary Art Show / Hong Kong
Summer Group Show / Metro Gallery (Melb)
Linden Postcard Show / Linden New Art
Adelaide Hills Landscape Art Prize / Hahndorf Academy
Form / Hill Smith Gallery
Emma Hack Art Prize / Burnside Village
Bluethumb Art Prize / No Vacancy Gallery (Melb)
Charity Auction / Magpie Springs

2016

Menagerie / Hill Smith Gallery
Mitcham Art Prize / Gallery One
Youthscape / Royal South Australian Society of Arts
Coonawarra Art Prize / Penola Gallery

2015

Christmas Exhibit / Art Images Gallery
Emma Hack Art Prize / Adelaide Convention Centre
‘40x40x40’ / Brunswick Street Gallery (Melb)
Prospect Portrait Prize / Prospect Gallery
Spring ART / Loreto College
Royal Adelaide Art Prize / Wayville Showgrounds
Frog Cakes / SAHMRI / Light Square Gallery
King of Canvas / Onkaparinga Arts Centre
Cranium / M2 Gallery (Sydney)

2014

Waterhouse Art Prize / SA Museum
GuitarART Prize / Adelaide Festival Centre
Youthscape / Royal South Australian Society of Arts

2013

‘40x40x40’ / Brunswick Street Gallery (Melb)
Salon Hang / Rosemont Estate Cellar Door
Parklands Art Prize / Adelaide Festival Centre
King of Canvas / Onkaparinga Arts Centre

2012

A Curious Creature / Urban Cow Studio
Youthscape / Royal South Australian Society of Arts
This is it! / These Walls Dont Lie Gallery
Bike Art Adelaide / Juxtapose Studios
6 Years Later Magazine Launch / No Vacancy (Melb)

2011

RSASA Still Alive / Royal South Australian Society of Arts
Mental Health Week / Adelaide Town Hall
Uchiwa Fan Exhibition / Espionage Gallery
Acry-Licks / Bunka Adelaide

Awards