Sunburnt Surrealism: Gerwyn Davies’ Love Letter to Kitschy, Coastal Australiana
Photographer and costume designer Gerwyn Davies has unveiled his latest exhibition, Sunburn, a vibrant homage to the Tweed region of New South Wales and its borderlands. The exhibition, running from 3 July to 22 November 2026 at the Tweed Regional Gallery in South Murwillumbah, showcases a series of new textile and photographic works that reimagine the ephemera, icons, and imagery of Australia’s glittering east coast.
Davies’ Interdisciplinary Practice
Based in Gadigal/Sydney, Davies (born 1985) weaves together photography and textiles to create elaborate mise-en-scènes. Each work features a single, elaborate character set against epic backdrops. Davies serves as both artist and protagonist in his photographic works, posing boldly front and centre to draw viewers into fantastical settings that blur the boundaries between the real and the fabricated.
The Exhibition’s Key Works
Among the pieces on display is Pub rock (2025), a wall-based textile using felt, pleather, thread, sequin, velvet, vinyl, metal pole, and brackets. Another notable work, Tropicana (2025), is an archival pigment print that exemplifies Davies’ signature style. Meter maid (2026) and Crab (2025) continue the theme, with the latter drawing on the Tweed Regional Museum collection, postcards, souvenirs, and signs refashioned into sequins and spandex.
Materials and Character Construction
Davies constructs his sculptural garments from brightly coloured, utilitarian products, piling them onto his frame to create clothing that feels uncomfortable and claustrophobic. By using his own body as the literal platform, he forges an intrinsic connection between himself and the characters he portrays. Works like Croc (2025) and Sunburn (2025) exemplify this approach, employing a playful, hyperreal style to mirror the personal stories and costumes people adopt in daily life.
Residency and Creative Process
In 2025, Davies undertook a residency at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. During this three-week period, he researched and created new works specifically for the exhibition. The residency allowed him to delve into the region’s distinctive visual landscape, resulting in pieces that conjure the essence of coastal Australiana.
Exhibition Details and Impact
Sunburn: Gerwyn Davies runs from 3 July to 22 November 2026 at Tweed Regional Gallery, South Murwillumbah, NSW. The exhibition offers a unique blend of photography and textile art, inviting audiences to explore the surreal, sunburnt world of Davies’ imagination. According to the gallery, the show is a “love letter to kitschy, coastal Australiana” that redefines how everyday materials can transform into extraordinary art.
