Sunburn Exhibition Opens at Tweed Regional Gallery
Photographer and costume designer Gerwyn Davies has unveiled his latest exhibition, Sunburn, at the Tweed Regional Gallery in South Murwillumbah, New South Wales. Running from 3 July to 22 November 2026, the exhibition is a vibrant homage to the Tweed region and the borderlands, reimagining the ephemera, icons, and images of Australia's glittering east coast.
Blending Photography and Textiles
Davies, born in 1985 and based in Gadigal/Sydney, interweaves photography and textiles to construct elaborate mise-en-scènes. His works feature epic backdrops for a single, intricate character, often with Davies himself as both artist and protagonist. The exhibition includes archival pigment prints and wall-based textiles made from felt, pleather, thread, sequins, velvet, vinyl, metal poles, and brackets.
Key Works in the Exhibition
Among the pieces on display are Pub rock (2025), a wall-based textile, and Tropicana (2025), an archival pigment print that draws viewers into fantastical settings blurring reality and fabrication. Meter maid (2026) showcases sculptural garments from everyday materials, while Crab (2025) and Croc (2025) refashion postcards, souvenirs, and signs into sequins and spandex. Sunburn (2025) employs a playful, hyperreal style to mirror personal stories and costumes, and Tan man (2025) is another wall-based textile piece.
Artist's Process and Inspiration
Davies constructs his garments from brightly coloured, utilitarian products, piling them onto his frame to create clothes that feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. By using his own body as a platform, he forges an intrinsic connection between himself and the characters he portrays. The exhibition draws in part from the immense Tweed Regional Museum collection, with postcards, souvenirs, and signs refashioned into elaborate sculptural forms.
Residency and Exhibition Details
In 2025, Davies undertook a three-week residency at the Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. During this time, he researched and created new works for Sunburn. The exhibition runs until 22 November 2026 at the Tweed Regional Gallery, South Murwillumbah, NSW.
