Quick Curate: Nostalgia

Time was an abstract concept when you were a child. Days seemed to last forever, unphased by the pace of the world that existed outside of naïve fixations, like the intrepid journey of a snail across concrete, or the sweet flavour of a thoughtfully selected ice cream. Though as we grow, adult life brings with it the measures and motions of time. Dates are made, moments planned, minutes become valued by their productivity over their spontaneous ingenuity. For this edition of Quick Curate, our Sullivan+Strumpf Naarm/Melbourne team step back momentarily into the slowness of childhood, when time was purposefully squandered and spent enjoying the humble idiosyncrasies of everyday life.

Kirsten CoelhoCups #3, 2022 porcelain, celadon glaze 9.5 x 9 cm (each)

Photo: Aaron Anderson

“Swirling purples and pinks were the epitome of glamour for me when I was little. Sprawled on sun-soaked lawn, a bit crispy from drought, in a pale pink ballet tutu slugging icy water or a rainbow paddle pop with the whole day stretching in front of you. A perfect day.”

Millie McArthur Gallery Manager, Naarm/Melbourne

Natalya HughesBlack Snake!, 2021-2022tufted rug (cotton and wool yarn, backing cloths,Edition of 3 plus 1 artist's proofadhesive)130 x 81 cm

Photo: Charlie Hillhouse

“Many summer afternoons were spent in my parents’ garden planting flowers and chasing bees. Today, the global bee population is declining at an alarming rate. You can help by planting a mix of native flowers in your garden, supporting local Aparists and buying genuine honey. What else would we put on our cornflakes?”

Siobhan Sloper Client Manager,

Jemima Wyman (TOP RIGHT) Flourish (No.5), 2019 hand-cut photos on paper 132 x 101.5 cm (unframed) 149.5 x 119 cm

Photo: Ed Mumford

Joanna Lamb (BOTTOM) Kelloggs Still Life 2, 2016 laminex on aluminium70 x 61.5cmEdition of 3

Photo: Nicholas White

“Sydney Ball’s Canto evokes feelings of childhood simplicity and playfulness through his use of vibrant colours and clean geometrics—like discovering the planets in first grade. With Kanchana Gupta’s Folded Pierced Stretched the added tactile layer over the blue stripes is reminiscent of coastal holiday deck chairs and beach towels.”

Oliver Todd Gallery Assistant, Naarm/Melbourne

Sydney Ball (MIDDLE) Canto VIII, 2003 screen print77 x 77 cm

Photo: Aaron Anderson

Kanchana Gupta (BOTTOM)Folded Pierced Stretched #009: Blue on White /White on Blue, 2021 oil paint skins with silk screen printing, galvanised steel frame,steel eyelets and suspension cable

Photo: Jing Wei