Yannick Blattner Print

Artist: Yannick Blattner 

Title: Force a smile for summer II

Bio: Blattner graduated a Bachelor of Fine Art with Honours (First Class) from the Queensland University of Technology (2014). In 2022 he was awarded second prize at Redland Art Awards, and

Runner up, National Emerging Art Prize. Blattner has also been a finalist in the Sunshine Coast art prize (2023), the Still Prize (2021) and the Churchie National Emerging Art prize (2015) His solo exhibitions include: Thrust, Walls Artspace (2017); Contrived Circumstances Spiro Grace Art Rooms (SGAR) (2016); and Heatwave, Zeppelin Projects (2015).  In 2017 Blattner was the Museum of Brisbane artist in residence, which resulted in his solo exhibition Stay till the sun sets (2017). 

Artwork Statement: Australia flaunts a climate-based lifestyle that is synonymous with the nation’s identity and has become highly commodified. Taking the backyard pool as a symptom and a symbol, ‘Force a smile for summer II’ (2023) confronts this dogma. The painting uses the commercial manifestations of this lifestyle—capturing the by-products of a climate that is simultaneously idyllic and unforgiving. Suspended above an unkempt lot backed by trees are two small circular tubs resembling eyes. Below, a larger, kidney-bean shaped pool floats closer to the ground. Their arrangement recalls the iconic sad face emoji, made somewhat clownlike by the bulbous forms. Alienated from the manicured backyard of home renovation dreams, the pools look dull and characterless. Emptied of water and weightless, the suspended pools offer a tongue in cheek comment on the hollowness of the market-driven dream.

Year Created: 2023

Sizes:
A4 21cm x 29.7cm
A3 29.7 cm x 42cm
A2 42cm x 59.4cm

All prints are sold unframed. Each size is limited to 50 prints.

Paper Stock: Ilford 310gsm Galerie Smooth Cotton Rag (Fine art/giclee) 100% cotton rag, Archival, very smooth finish, water resistant, high colour consistency and gamut, heavy weight. Manufactured in United Kingdom.