Don’t be fooled by Paddington artist Dina Broadhurst’s angelic exterior.
The in-demand artist, mum of one and Instagram sensation’s works have been described as Helmut Newton meets Kim Kardashian, and are the talk of the eastern suburbs after her exhibition launched last week at the progressive new “anti-gallery gallery” on the block, Contemporary on Crown, in Surry Hills.
Her textured and provocative collages are setting fire to the world with their raw sexuality, hints of desire, protection and underlying theme that the perfect exterior of the fashion world often masks what truly lies underneath. It’s a good girl verse bad girl vibe, and it’s got the manicured eastern suburbs set talking.
“It’s about the attraction to people who break through barriers, who aren’t afraid of nudity and who emote total freedom,” she says of her subject choices — usually beautiful women — which was sparked when she was still in school. She submitted a collage from In Bed With Madonna — where she put diamontees on the pop star’s nipples — for her year 12 HSC art work.
“I guess I was always attracted to people who aren’t afraid to express their true self, it’s like my alter ego is expressed through other people.
I can explore my dangerous, naughtier side freely,” she laughs, admitting she comes from a conservative family who celebrate her success, but still don’t quite delve into the meaning. “They are very proud of me, they have my works, but they don’t really get it!” she admits.
Describing herself as a bower bird; attracted to shiny sparkly things which she hoards till the right moment and to use for the right work, Broadhurst says she likes to create a rich tapestry full of layering that tells a story. “The modern world is about instant gratification, I like to collect things over time. And that’s how my art is.”
Broadhurst, who has a bachelor of fine arts from the University of NSW, is a photographer and studied advertising at UTS, had a whole life before she bloomed as a full time artist. Broadhurst, who lives in Paddington with partner Max Shepherd, worked as a make up artist, in fashion and as an interior designer in her 20s an 30s. Instagram introduced an audience to her “pastime” and the works she posted suddenly became in demand around the globe.
“I didn’t feel free, I knew I wasn’t doing what I really wanted to do,” she says of her previous jobs, “and even if there was no financial recompense I wouldn’t change what I do for the world. I’ve always felt happiest doing this — and I dream of a time where my works will be manufactured around the world, and I’ll see them everywhere.”
With the buzz she’s already created, there’s a chance it’ll happen.
Gallery owner Nicole Timoko is excited by her new find.
“When I was introduced to her work, I was like ‘hells bells’ I have to have this. Some people walk in and judge … there are some (women) who hate their husbands looking and some who think its genius.
“Millennial women love it. They will walk in and put a piece on After Pay.
“I can’t believe we’re still having a conversation about nudity — that we can’t even put these on Instagram because of the nipples, we have to cover them with tape.”
“Yes,” giggles, Broadhurst, whose Instagram is an expression of her free spirit and creativity, beautiful, sensual and full of nudity. “The hours I spend putting squiggles on nipples!”
Timoko, who also represents Rex Turnbull, Tim Laffey and China’s Zhang Dahua, launched the Broadhurst collection of one-off canvases at a wild soiree for men’s health charity Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride last month, supported by the Sol Invictus Motorcylce Co and Ignite Architects.
Contemporary on Crown, 275 Crown Street, Surry Hills www.contemporaryoncrown.com
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