Indigenous Northern Beaches artist Billy Bain is challenging colonial
narratives of masculinity through his artwork.
Born and raised on the Northern Beaches, local Billy Bain has turned from a
professional surfer into a professional artist, working from his home studio in
Avalon to now displaying his first exhibition in Manly.
“Growing up in the area [as] an Indigenous person, I got to look into some of
the local histories of people from there and really dive into all this research
and ideas that I’ve always thought about, but never really had the time or
ability to make a big body of work about,” Billy tells Peninsula Living.
“For me, it’s not just making art but kind of a personal journey as well.”
After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2019 from the University
of New South Wales, Billy’s paintings and ceramic artworks examine histories of
Manly, while referencing the continued presence of the traditional custodians of
this land.
Billy explains his ‘Being Manly’ exhibition seeks to ‘unsettle colonial
narratives of masculinity’ by deconstructing popular iconography and histories
related to Manly’s cultural identity.
“When Captain Arthur Phillip encountered the Gayemagal people in 1788 he was
impressed by their ‘confidence and manly behaviour’, so he named the area Manly
Cove,” Billy says.
“Though Manly’s cultural identity pertaining to masculinity has remained,
cultural icons such as the surfer, the lifeguard and the footballer have emerged
and shifted the public’s perception of what it means to be ‘Manly’.”
The local artist says he finds his inspiration for his artwork through
everyday objects and experiences and hopes that his art will continue to grow.
“I just think bigger. As long as I can afford to be ambitious, I’m going to
try,” he says.
“Especially working with ceramics, I just think there’s so much possibility
for where I can push the work.”
The ‘Being Manly’ exhibition, Billy says, is one of his biggest achievements.
“I think having an exhibition in Manly and where I grew up has been pretty
nice. I had some group shows in the city and I had one solo show at Darlinghurst,
but I’ve never really shown my work here,” Billy says.
“A lot of people I’ve grown up with, who I’ve been friends with, haven’t
really got to experience it. So, I think there’s been a bit of a buzz around
that as well and just a lot of local community support, which was really nice.”
“As long as I can afford to be ambitious, I’m going to try,”
Billy Bain.
Billy was also recently invited to be one of the judges for the Express
Yourself 2022 exhibition on the Northern Beaches, a collection of the best
artworks of the local Year 12 cohort.
“It’s the first time I’ve judged a competition which felt kind of funny, as I
actually haven’t even been in that many myself,” he laughs.
“For me it was kind of coming full circle, because I went to Barrenjoey [High
School] where even a couple of the winners were coming from. So, it was a sort
of funny realisation that maybe I’m in it now.
“You know, stuff’s happening.”
To discover how Billy is challenging colonial narratives of masculinity
with his unique exhibition, visit Manly Art Gallery & Museum before 19 June.