Saint Cloche Gallery is delighted to return to Sydney Contemporary 2023, Carriageworks with a solo presentation of contemporary multi-disciplinary artist, Saxon JJ Quinn, who continues his exploration of sensory, mixed-medium abstract paintings and sculpture. 

Quinn’s study of materiality and juxtaposition of form and texture are revived through History Repeating in tandem with his signature mark-making, brimming with mind-full intent and purpose that he is renowned for. 

In presenting ‘History Repeating’, Quinn will explore the themes of his evolution as an artist and is nostalgically looking back to be able to look forward.

The tight-knit body of work continues the organic progression and builds further with reference to the artist’s earlier scribbles, motifs and marks contained in sketch pads from his childhood and have been kept and treasured by his mother.  These records include everything from monsters, kisses, hands, kites, pirates, and cowboys.

Furthermore, Quinn will be presenting two mediums of three-dimensional works; one will be three aluminium cubes with motif markings welded into each side, these sculptures can be used as stools to perch on, or as occasional side tables. They can be admired, felt, touched, and stroked, as each piece has been weathered allowing them to pick up fingerprints and scuff marks as time goes on, the cubes reference markings that are seen in many of Saxon’s works, and many of these markings are part of his personal history and can be found in early sketchpads of his.

In addition, there will be two ceramic stacked works, that are also three dimensional pieces reminiscent of his paintings - motifs that have been manifested and brought to life. There’s the basketball, often shown in later pieces which represents friendship, the brand marks represent youth and how impressionable we can be, with a longing to fit within a tribe.

Saxon JJ Quinn (b.1986, Allendale, VIC) is a self-taught mixed media artist intrigued by the rough, the worn and the resilient. Born in country Victoria, Saxon spent his childhood surrounded by creativity. His artist mother tied a basket to the ceiling of her studio where, as a baby, he would swing while she worked. As he grew older, he began sketching, painting, and experimenting with clay, at times accidentally defacing her works in the process.

After studying Communication Design and building his career in Melbourne, Quinn moved to New York City, immersing himself in the city and its urban patina. The beauty he found in the aged and weathered elements were cemented as the foundation of his creative work, and painting became the outlet. 

Now, from his home in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Quinn primarily uses canvas, graphite, and paint, layering hues, symbols, and textures to create works that sway from the intentional to the unrestrained, the minimalist to the uninhibited. Each piece bears meaningful motifs alongside elements of mischievous humour, with each mark representing an aspect of his life. These marks are arranged precisely to induce a sensory effect, where a calming constellation can be found in a world of perceived chaos.