Joel Rea: Outsider

Fortitude Valley's Mitchell Fine Art is excited to be showing the latest work from Joel Rea, in a thought-provoking exhibition entitled Outsider, open from September 27 to October 21.

Back exhibiting in Brisbane for the first time in 5 years, Joel is returning after a host of successful installations in New York and London, with contemporary pieces that will mesmermise and captivate the mind.

Crossroads, complete with a four-metre tall tiger that is the focal point of this surreal painting, challenges you to look deeper into what you see. In fact, just when you think you've noticed every detail, another will come to your attention that you can't believe you missed before. From the cracks in the bitumen and the delicateness of the tiny butterfly's wings, to the man dropping a parcel out of a multi-storied building window, and the expression on the onlooker's faces, the life-like intricacies are superb and truly need to be appreciated in person.

The symbolic artworks in this exhibition bring to the front of our mind that our time - that of nature, animals and humans - on the planet is only relatively fleeting, and Rea uses powerful imagery that is equally layered throughout his pieces to highlight the fragility, yet importance, of our existence.

Not unaccustomed to being recognised for his talent, Rea has - deservingly so - been the recipient of a number of prestigious art awards including the 2014 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture (People's Choice Award - WA) and the winner of the 2013 ANL Maritime Art Award (VIC). His work has also secured him as a finalist in many Australian art prizes, such as the Moran National Portrait Prize (NSW) and the Fleurieu Landscape Prize (SA) to name just a couple.

Nice to know - Joel will attend the Opening Night on Friday October 6 at 6pm. Joel will also be participating in an Artist Talk session on Saturday October 7 at 2pm.

Need to know - Onsite parking is available.

Mitchell Fine Art is a valued partner of Must Do Brisbane.com