Pre-Storm Lavender

Artist: Gonketa

Title: Pre-Storm Lavender

Medium: Aerosol on 10oz primed duck canvas, in Raw Tasmanian Oak float frame.

Bio: Born  profoundly Deaf, Gonketa’s first language is Auslan (Australian Sign Language),  and as such he uses his art to continuously explore the complexity of hands; from their shape and   forms, to their usage for communication in sign languages and commonly used hand gestures.

With heavy linework, vivid colour, and exaggerated expressions, Gonketa’s work explores the many nuances of expression that are fundamental within non-verbal communication. Gonketa’s practice is centred around his aim to promote self-determination for all members of the Deaf community.

Gonketa draws on his own lived experience and personal visual catalogue to develop a style that is as unique as it is exciting.

Artwork Statement: Purple – that’s all I can think of right now! I want to wear purple, I want to paint in shades of purple. It’s my current phase; purple is the best colour, especially lavender. Make it commonplace, inject more purple into everything else.

The day was calm, cool, yet intense. Intense, causing some issues, but I managed to get there just before the chaos.

Dimensions: 200cm (w) x 200cm (h) x 0.4cm (d)