The Thousands

Explosive, celebratory and flamboyant, there’s also an eeriness to Melbourne artist Nathan Gray’s strange creations – the latest of which can be seen in his solo show, opening at Black & Blue this Thursday.

Showcasing his brightly coloured impromptu assemblages that incorporate sculpture, screen-printing and drawing, THE FRUITING BODY pays tribute to the handmade, fleeting, improvised and accidental.**An optimistic, dynamic and festive installation made from humble materials, the work is inspired by Nathan’s recent travels to Bali and the palm leaf weavings that are used as daily offerings before being discarded.

Exploring ephemerality and the relationship between creation and destruction, the show incorporates photos of small-scale sculptures installed in natural settings, defying the archival imperative and satisfying the artist’s urge to destroy his own work.