Beauty, humour & ‘living the Bayside lifestyle’

Building on the success of the recent Freshwater/Saltwater exhibition, The Gallery at Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre’s exhibition program continues to impress visitors.

Joanna Bosse, Curator, said The Gallery’s latest exhibition, Rob McHaffie: ‘This is living’, provides a fascinating take on ‘living the Bayside lifestyle’.

“McHaffie shares his astute and witty observations of Bayside suburbia through paintings, watercolours and ceramic sculptures”, said Ms Bosse.  

‘This is living’ focuses on the last five years of McHaffie’s practice, a time that corresponds with his return to the beachside suburb of Brighton where he spent his childhood.  

Rob finds beauty, humour and complexity in the spectacle of everyday suburban life. His works have a lightness and wit that conveys his attitude to his surroundings.

 “The houses and characters around Brighton started to permeate my work quite quickly after moving here.

"I'm excited to show this body of work with all its Bayside themes to the people in the area I've met but really have no idea what I do,” said Mr McHaffie.

Bayside Mayor, Cr Laurence Evans said supporting local artists is an important role of Council.

“It is wonderful that Bayside City Council can support the careers of talented local artists through our outstanding public art gallery and the Artist’s Studio Program at Billilla mansion.

“Rob’s impressive exhibition certainly provides visitors with an entertaining and quirky snapshot of his view on life in Bayside.”

Exhibition dates: 15 September to 11 November Official opening: Saturday 22 September, 2-4pm at The Gallery at Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre, Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Carpenter & Wilson Streets, Brighton.