Louis Wayling is a Sydney-based artist who grew up on the Northern Beaches. His practice is deeply intuitive, colourful and personal, shaped by the changing moods of everyday life and an instinctive response to his surroundings.

His latest body of work, Into the Big Smoke, reflects on a year of transition, moving from the Northern Beaches into the City and discovering a new rhythm of life within the urban landscape. The paintings explore the harbour, architecture and unexpected moments of nature that exist among the city’s high-rises, from local swim spots to the koi ponds of Elizabeth Bay.

Much of this work began while travelling throughout Sydney by bike, clocking up kilometres and moving through the city at a pace that allowed Louis to notice the small details often overlooked in everyday life. These journeys became a visual collection of fleeting moments: changing light across the harbour, the geometry of buildings, the softness of greenery between concrete, and the stillness found within the movement of the city.

Moving through the seasons, Into the Big Smoke is a visual diary of the past year; a collection of moments that brought happiness, curiosity and a sense of belonging. The work reflects Louis’ colourful world and his ongoing journey of accepting his sexuality, trusting his instincts and manifesting a beautiful life through intuition and self-belief.

For Louis, painting is a way of making sense of the present. His works evolve alongside his moods, experiences and surroundings, allowing each painting to become a reflection of a particular moment in time. Into the Big Smoke ultimately celebrates the beauty of paying attention: finding joy in the places we pass through, the details we might otherwise miss, and the quiet moments that make a life feel beautiful.

Opening Night : Friday the 4th of September
6pm - 8pm